Caister Academy

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Maria Conroy, monitored your provision on 20/05/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 10/12/2013, we sent you a welfare requirements notice. The actions you were set are included at the end of this letter.

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Outcome of monitoring

We sent you a welfare requirement notice which asked you to update your knowledge of child protection in order to understand possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect so that you could identify these at the earliest opportunity and enable a response to be made in a timely and appropriate way; and provide a safe environment by risk assessing hazards to children’s safety, with particular regard to the security of the premises, and taking preventative measures to ensure children’s safety is prioritised.

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Outcome of monitoring

In addition, a notice to improve was also issued that required you to ensure the welfare of children relating to 'child protection' to ensure you have and implemented a policy and procedure, to safeguard children that includes the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting. You were also required to develop knowledge and understanding of the Learning and Development requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage; to assess the individual needs interests of the children by working in partnership with parents; to improve the process of observation; to improve the opportunities to develop and support children’s communication and language skills; to provide wider opportunities for expressive art and design activities; to make available a good range of resources to support children’s play in all areas of learning; to complete the two year progress check. A notice to improve was also issued for the Childcare Register which asked

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Outcome of monitoring

you to ensure the premises and equipment used are safe; to keep and implement a written statement for the protection of children; to make a complaints procedure available for parents and to make sure no one can enter the premises without your knowledge.

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Outcome of monitoring

At the monitoring visit carried out on 4 February 2014, we found that satisfactory steps had been taken to address the priority actions identified in the welfare Our Reference 141331

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Outcome of monitoring

requirement notice. You had taken action to develop your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection by completing an online safeguarding course. There was a written child protection policy and procedure which included the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting. The local authority Early Years advisor had provided additional information on safeguarding children and the contact telephone numbers to enable a timely referral should concerns arise; these are displayed on the parent’s notice board. You haves reviewed the safety of the premises to ensure children cannot leave the premises and no one can enter without your knowledge, this ensures children's safety.

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Outcome of monitoring

At the second monitoring visit on 20 May 2014, the inspector found through observations of practice, scrutiny of records and discussions with you that some progress had been made in some areas. You informed the inspector, you had received further support from the local authority early years advisor, who had been to visit you on the 19 May 2014. During my visit you demonstrated, you had improved the activities provided to support children’s communication and language by; reading stories to the children, encouraging them to identify letters in their environment and talking to children describing what they are doing, helping them to understand the meaning of words and extend their vocabulary. You had provided some activities to support children’s creativity and imagination, for example, adult led craft activities, using instruments and dancing to music, dressing up and pretend play. You had liaised with parents, to find out about what they do at home with their

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Outcome of monitoring

child, so you can support those activities. For example; encouraging children to count, identify letters in their name and by providing art and craft activities. You also meet with them regularly to find out what children are doing when they attend other settings, which enables you to develop children’s individual interests, for example outdoor play.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have developed systems and completed the progress check at age two, which enables both you and parents to be aware of how children are developing and any further support they may require. In addition you were given information as to where to find ‘A Know How Guide’, which is guidance to support you in implementing the progress check. You have reorganised toys and equipment, to make them more accessible to children. You have new storage boxes, where different types of toys are stored, so children know where they can find certain toys and books. There are some new toys and materials for art and craft are available on a low level table enabling children free access.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have begun to observe and keep records of children as they play; you have also taken photos of children engaging in different types to play to support your observations. However, you are not yet utilising this information effectively to clearly identify the next step in their learning and help guide and inform the planning of future activities that you provide for children. As a result a further action has been set to enable you to develop this area further. Although you have begun to improve your knowledge and understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, you are still unclear of what is expected of you in relation to ‘teaching’ and the Learning and Development requirements. You are also unclear of Our Reference 141331

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Outcome of monitoring

some of the Welfare Requirements, for example, not being aware of the need to conduct a risk assessment on equipment that children use to ensure their safety. As a result a further action has been set to improve your awareness of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have begun to address the process of self -evaluation, with details of what you plan for the future. For example, you say you wish to access more training to help with your job; however, you are not specific enough as to where you have identified gaps in your knowledge or need further support. I have linked this to the action raised that is connected with awareness of what is required of you in relation to the implementation of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Outcome of monitoring

You also have available contact details for the relevant authorities displayed on your notice board, should you need to access them in the event of making a referral. You had made sure that all doors to the premises are kept closed which prevents anyone from entering the premises without you knowing. You have made available a written procedure for parents should they wish to make a complaint, this includes contact details for Ofsted. In addition the ‘Ofsted Parents Poster’ is displayed on the notice board, with contact details for the regulator. This now ensures that parents are fully informed, should they wish to make a complaint.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the visit, the inspector observed you using the large trampoline with children; discussions took place regarding your risk assessment relating to the outdoor equipment in particular use of the trampoline. It was found that although you say you supervise children at all times, you do allow two children on the trampoline at one time, where instructions on your trampoline clearly state there should only be one person on at a time. In addition you had not considered the risks to children as you cannot predict their movements when they are jumping on the trampoline, therefore you would not be able to prevent them from falling off. As a result, a Welfare Requirement Notice was set as you had not undertaken an effective risk assessment; to ensure that there is an effective risk assessment in place to keep children safe, this relates particularly to the use of the trampoline and slides

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of this visit a welfare requirement notice and notices to improve to improve have been raised.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the childminder has not taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be further monitoring. Our Reference 141331

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Next steps

If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Lorna Fitzjohn National Director, Childminding Our Reference 141331

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Action Due date Closed date

Ensure that there is an effective risk assessment in place to keep children safe, this relates particularly to the use of the trampoline and slides. (WRN) 30/05/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

Ensure the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

Develop a secure understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and your role in relation to ‘teaching children’. Use the knowledge gained to improve the activities provided to support all areas of learning both indoors and outdoors and to effectively implement the welfare requirements. 20/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

Use information gained from the process of observing children, to plan and provide challenging and exciting experiences for the next steps in their learning, which links to their interests and stage of development 20/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

Ensure the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable (voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014

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