Cunningham, Susan

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, Helen Blackburn, monitored your provision on 04/07/2014 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 14/04/2014, we sent you a notice to improve. If you were set actions at the inspection, or as a result of our subsequent monitoring or investigations, these are included at the end of this letter unless we have already verified that they have been completed.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit, the inspector discussed with you the steps you have taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. She observed interaction between you and the children. The inspector discussed with you and looked at relevant documentation relating to how you keep children safe. She looked at children's observation and assessment records, including records relating to their starting points and tracking information. She discussed with you how you supervise children and your procedures for completing relevant suitability checks for any adults having sole charge of children. She looked at your action planning and she discussed with you your safeguarding policy and procedures. You decided not to contact the representative from the local authority, who you explained has supported you through your action planning.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have developed a comprehensive action plan to address the issues raised at your last inspection. You have welcomed support from a local authority representative and you explained that you are continuing to work closely with them, to further improve your practice. This has enabled you to accurately prioritise the areas for improvement, identified at your last inspection and it supports you in planning for your ongoing development.

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Outcome of monitoring

You explained that you understand that any person having sole charge of children must complete relevant Disclosure and Barring Services checks. You provided documentation to demonstrate that all household members have completed relevant suitability checks and you stated that you work alone. You explained that you maintain a record of all visitors to the home and that you supervise them at all times. You explained this supervision includes any parents that accompany you on trips and outings with their own children. Therefore, appropriate procedures are in place to ensure children are not left in sole charge of any adult not been deemed suitable.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have attended safeguarding training to ensure that you have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding issues. You explained that you have reviewed and updated your safeguarding policy. This includes clear procedures for reporting concerns about a child and allegations against adults. You explained that you have provided parents with details of the procedures for reporting concerns, including providing all relevant contact numbers of safeguarding agencies. You explained that you have read in full the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure you fully understood all requirements, including changes that must be notified to Ofsted. These arrangements contribute to you taking positive steps towards keeping children safe.

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Outcome of monitoring

Following the inspection, you explained that you have reviewed and updated your policies, procedures and risk assessments relating to supervision of children on outings. You explained that you are more vigilant in checking that children are in your sight and hearing at all times. You discussed that you record the times you arrive and leave your destination on outings. You explained a full head count is conducted on arrival and when leaving to ensure all children are present. Therefore, improving your procedures for keeping children safe on outings.

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Outcome of monitoring

You explained that you maintain a register of children's attendance, which includes the hours children are in your care. You explained you complete this daily so that the record is up-to-date at all times. This contributes to keeping children safe.

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Outcome of monitoring

You explained that you have had a number of meetings with a representative from the local authority who has supported you in developing your observation and assessment records. You explained that you have introduced an 'individual learning plan' for each child to ensure you plan challenging activities to meet their individual needs, likes and interests. You explained that you have booked on the next available planning, observation and assessment training course delivered by your local authority. This has contributed to you improving how you plan for individual children's learning and development.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have discussed the tracking of children's progress with your local authority representative. As a result, you have gained a better understanding of the process and you now use your 'summary of children's progress' record to track children's progress every three months. In addition, you completed a progress check for all children aged between two and three years. You explained these improvements contribute to you having a better overview of children's progress and how this has helped you to identify if early intervention is needed to support children in their learning.

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Outcome of monitoring

Following the inspection, you discussed that you have added additional information to your 'All about me' form to ensure you obtain from parents information about children's progress and starting points. You explained that you share children's 'individual learning plans' with parents so that they can support their children's learning at home. You explained that you regularly share with parents their children's assessment and tracking records. This contributes to them being continually involved in the evaluation and planning of their children's progress.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit, you discussed the steps you are taking to address the recommendation raised at your last inspection. You explained that you are continuing to work closely with your local authority representative to discuss your future action plans. You explained that this includes looking at ways to support your professional development. You explained that self-evaluation is now a key feature in how you monitor and evaluate the quality of your service and practice. You explained that you recognise this is an ongoing process, if you are to sustain improvement overtime.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the childminder has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection.

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your childminding service. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that any person having unsupervised contact with children is suitable to be in regular contact with children and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check has been obtained through Ofsted in respect of that person (compulsory part of the childcare Register) 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that any person having unsupervised contact with children is suitable to be in regular contact with children and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check has been obtained through Ofsted in respect of that person (voluntary part of the childcare Register) 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure any adult who children are left in the sole care of, even for short periods of time, has a Disclosure and Barring Service suitable person check in place 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements to ensure policies and procedures are in place to make certain children are kept safe at all times, with particular regard to supervision of children, the procedures to follow if there are concerns about a child, procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against an adult and the reasons to notify Ofsted 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

implement robust procedures to make certain children are kept safe during outings by ensuring they are appropriately supervised and are within sight or hearing at all times 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep a daily record of children's attendance including the times when they arrive and leave 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

use information about the individual 28/04/2014 04/07/2014 needs, interests and stage of development of each child to plan challenging and enjoyable experiences that help children to make progress across the seven areas of learning develop a system for monitoring children's progress, including the required progress check at age two, to ensure all children's progress is accurately tracked and early intervention services can be sought for children who might need them 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (compulsory part of the childcare Register) 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

work in partnership with parents to ensure starting points are obtained from them when children enter the setting and to continually evaluate children's progress so that any gaps or strengths in children's learning are identified, thus ensuring education programmes can be planned to help them make good progress. 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (voluntary part of the childcare Register) 28/04/2014 04/07/2014

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