Setting

Summary of complaint

On 19 April 2016, we received information in the form of a complaint that raised concerns regarding ongoing building work at the setting, staffing ratios not being met and teenagers on the premises using mobile phones. On 26 April 2016 we received additional information in the form of a complaint that staffing ratios are not met, the quality and quantity of food provided for children is unacceptable and staff are not sufficiently qualified. In addition, on the 11 May 2016 we received a notification from the provider informing Ofsted of an unexplained injury to a child.

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Summary of complaint

We carried out a full inspection and found that on the day of the inspection there was sufficient qualified staff and that food provided was of a good quality and quantity. The provider confirmed that there are no teenagers on the premises at any time.

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Summary of complaint

However, the provider did not follow the safeguarding policy and procedure and notify relevant child protection agencies following an unexplained injury. It was also identified that the designated safeguarding practitioners at the time of the injury did not provide the correct advice and guidance needed to protect and safeguard children effectively. In addition, the provider did not implement a thorough and full risk assessment. Despite assurances from the provider that improvements would be made. On the day of the inspection it was found that safeguards were not in place.

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Summary of complaint

The provider demonstrated that accident records are not always accurate and that prompt notification to parents of any accident or injury does not always take place.

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Summary of complaint

In addition, several children had colds which resulted in runny noses. Staff were slow to ensure that children's noses were cleaned and that the spread of infection was reduced.

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Summary of complaint

Younger children randomly select and drink from the same beakers. This does not promote children's health or reduce the spread of infection and germs. It was also observed that very young children were encouraged to use dummies which were stored unhygienically.

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Summary of complaint

Systems for staff supervision are not effective or being used to provide support for individual members of staff. These weaknesses impact on the overall quality of the provision and in turn impact on children's progress. For example, some children's observation are not completed over a significant period of time and next steps for learning are not identified. This does not ensure children's needs are met or that they progress as they should.

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Summary of complaint

Ratios were not met at all times of the day. On arrival children are left with an insufficient number of staff available to meet their needs and ensure their safety.

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Summary of complaint

Following our inspection, we issued a welfare requirements notice:

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Summary of complaint

implement a policy and procedure to safeguard children in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) with particular regard to prompt referral or seeking advice from the relevant child protection agencies

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Summary of complaint

provide an effective designated practitioner with lead responsibility for safeguarding to provide support, advice and guidance to staff on an ongoing basis and on any specific safeguarding issue as required

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Summary of complaint

provide a written record of accidents or injuries and first aid treatment and inform parents and/or carers of any accident or injury sustained by the child on the same day or as soon as reasonably practicable

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Summary of complaint

ensure staff respond and take appropriate action to teach children about good personal hygiene and preventing the spread of infection with particular regard to younger children sharing beakers and comforters

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Summary of complaint

improve the effectiveness of staff supervision to ensure that monitoring of staff practice is used effectively to promote the interests of children, improve teaching skills and promote a shared approach to continuous improvement

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Summary of complaint

provide effective systems for monitoring the quality of teaching to make sure targets set are followed up and staff's practice improves implement effective staffing arrangements that meet the needs of children, ensures their safety, offers consistent and sufficient staff at all times of the day

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Summary of complaint

implement a thorough and effective risk assessment that demonstrates prompt action is taken to remove or minimise risk to ensure children's safety at all times and to inform parents and/or carers or inspectors of how risk is managed

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Summary of complaint

It is an offence for a person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a welfare requirements notice. Failure to comply may result in a prosecution.

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Summary of complaint

We also issued a notice to improve that required the provider to:

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Summary of complaint

improve the frequency, consistency and quality of observations of children's learning and use the information gathered to plan for children's individual learning needs and to assess and monitor their progress

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Summary of complaint

We will monitor the provider to ensure they meet this action.

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Summary of complaint

The provider remains registered with Ofsted.

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Publication of complaints

We publish details of complaints made against childminders, home childcarers and childcare providers where we or the provider have taken action in order to meet legal requirements.

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Publication of complaints

We publish details of complaints for five years commencing on the date we complete our investigation.

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Publication of complaints

For further information on how we deal with complaints about providers, please view the Early years compliance handbook which can be found here at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-provider-non-compliance- action-by-ofsted

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