Childminder in Worcestershire

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, Valerie Fane, monitored your provision on 31/07/2014 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 16/05/2014, 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 talked with you about the steps you have taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. She observed activities and your interaction with children and viewed some areas of your home that are used for childminding. She looked at your policies and procedures. Additionally, the inspector looked at records of children's assessments and progress.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have welcomed the support offered by the local authority early years adviser, in order to aid you in addressing the issues raised at your last inspection. The inspector noted that you now have a clear understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and procedures in place to ensure that the improvements you have recently made are sustainable.

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Outcome of monitoring

Through discussion with you and through reviewing your written observation assessment and planning procedures, the inspector found that you have worked with your local authority officer to develop these procedures. You have introduced observation sheets and 'pathways profile' assessment records to aid you in confirming children's progress in each area of learning. You explained that you then use this as supplementary information to guide the activity planning for each child. These procedures mean that you are now able to show how you understand each child's developmental needs and plan appropriate activities that promote their learning.

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Outcome of monitoring

Through discussion with you and through reviewing your written records, the inspector found that you now complete the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years in a timely manner. You share this with parents and through discussion, you confirmed that you understand the importance of encouraging parents to seek external support where children's development is significantly behind their peers.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have attempted to develop your links with other providers who share the care of childminded children. You are building links with the local nursery. You have put plans in place to liaise with the school when you are caring for a child in Reception class next term. You demonstrated through discussion that you understand the importance of such links to support children's continuity of care and learning.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have extended the information that you give to parents to enable them to continue children's learning at home. You do this through regular conversations and through the use of daily diaries for younger children. These were not available at the visit because the younger children were not present but you were able to describe to the inspector how you use them effectively to promote children's learning.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have developed a written complaints procedure and you have a form available to record any complaints that may be made in the future and your response to them. You understand the requirements to keep such records. This means that you are able to work with parents to promote children's safety and well-being.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have attended appropriate safeguarding training. You were able to demonstrate to the inspector, through discussion, that you have a secure knowledge of the possible signs of abuse. You know the procedures to follow if you have concerns about a child in your care or if an allegation of abuse was to be made against you. You have put in place and implemented a policy covering the use of mobile phones and cameras in your setting. Therefore, children are now appropriately safeguarded.

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Outcome of monitoring

You have reviewed the safety of you garden and the inspector was able to see through direct observation that it is now a safe and effective learning environment for children. You were able to demonstrate, through discussion, how you risk assess your garden on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to be a safe environment for children.

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Outcome of monitoring

Children's safety and welfare are further promoted and you are now able to demonstrate that the correct ratios are always maintained. You have developed attendance records for children and you were able to show the inspector that these are used to record children's actual hours of attendance each time they attend your setting. 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 the progress check for children aged between two and three years is carried out and parents are provided with a short written summary of their child's development in the prime areas, identifying the child's strengths and any areas where the child's progress is less than expected 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

develop knowledge of the learning and development requirements and implement observation and assessment procedures to show children's progress and plan clearly for their next steps 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

develop a regular two-way flow of information with other providers when children attend more than one setting, so that children receive continuity and consistency to help them make good progress in their learning and development 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

engage and support parents in sharing information about their child's learning and development at home, so that a complete picture of children's overall development is obtained 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

implement clear procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and/or carers and keep a record of any complaints received and their outcome 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

attend a child protection training course, in order to be able to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure risks are identified, with specific regard to the outdoor area, and steps are taken to remove or minimise these so that children's safety is promoted at all 30/05/2014 31/07/2014 times; this relates to removing broken items and making paving slabs safe keep a daily record of the names of children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance. 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment, at least once in each calendar year and immediately where the need for as assessment arises (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep an accurate daily record of the names of children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints, which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep a written record, for a period of three years, from the date of these complaints, including the outcome of the investigation and the action the provider took in response (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment, at least once in each calendar year and immediately where the need for as assessment arises (voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep an accurate daily record of the names of children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

keep a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints, which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (voluntary 30/05/2014 31/07/2014 part of the Childcare Register) keep a written record, for a period of three years, from the date of these complaints, including the outcome of the investigation and the action the provider took in response (voluntary art of the Childcare Register). 30/05/2014 31/07/2014

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