Youngsters

Summary of outcome

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills is leading Ofsted's work into how regulated early years and childcare providers in England have delivered child- centred practice and care, within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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Summary of outcome

All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right.

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Summary of outcome

On 15 November 2020, the provider notified us that a child had been left alone in the building. The notification means that the provider met their legal responsibility as set out in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage to notify Ofsted of a significant event.

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Summary of outcome

On 16 November 2020, we carried out a regulatory telephone call and on 20 November 2020 we carried out a regulatory visit. We found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

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Summary of outcome

n implement effective risk assessments to keep children safe on outings, including making sure children are appropriately supervised and any hazards to children are minimised or removed

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Summary of outcome

n provide children with a suitable area to sleep, ensure sleeping children are checked regularly and each child has clean bedding to prevent the spread of infection

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Summary of outcome

n take prompt and effective action to provide a suitable area for children under the age of two that has adequate space and equipment to meet children's needs

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Summary of outcome

n ensure there is an adequately equipped and suitably clean area for the hygienic preparation and storage of food n follow health and safety legislation and implement effective cleaning routines and hygiene practices to minimise the spread of infection

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Summary of outcome

n complete effective and robust risk assessments to identify hazards and take immediate steps to minimise or remove any hazards and to identify aspects of the environment needing regular checks

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Summary of outcome

n ensure children's behaviour is managed in an appropriate, effective and positive way, taking into account the age and stage of development of each child

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Summary of outcome

n implement effective induction, development and supervision arrangements that support staff to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and the required skills to undertake their roles

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that at least half of all staff working with babies have received training that specifically addresses the care of babies

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Summary of outcome

n ensure the designated lead practitioner for safeguarding has a good understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures, and their responsibility to liaise with local statutory children's services agencies, including the local safeguarding children partnership

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Summary of outcome

n train all staff to understand the setting's safeguarding policy and procedures, make sure they have a secure knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and know what to do if they are concerned about a child or in the event of an allegation being made

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Summary of outcome

n improve your understanding of the 'Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice' and ensure effective support is given to children who have special educational needs, including working in partnership with other professionals and agencies.

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Summary of outcome

On 1 December 2020, we carried out a regulatory visit. We found that the provider had implemented risk assessments for outings and of the environment, removing any hazards. The provider had implemented effective cleaning routines and had created a suitably clean area for the hygienic preparation of food. The provider had created a suitable area for the care of children under two years and had established suitable sleeping arrangements for children. The provider was managing children's behaviour appropriately and will continue to develop staff's behaviour management skills as part of their professional development.

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Summary of outcome

We will monitor the provider's response to ensure the remaining actions are successfully completed. On 11 December 2020, we carried out a regulatory visit to monitor the provider's compliance with the remaining WRN actions. We found the provider had met some of the safeguarding and welfare actions but not others. The provider had taken steps to ensure staff working with the youngest children have specific training regarding the care of babies and that effective support is given to children who have special education needs. However, as we found that the provider had not met all the actions set, we have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

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Summary of outcome

n implement effective induction, development and supervision arrangements that support staff to have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and the required skills to undertake their roles

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Summary of outcome

n ensure the designated lead practitioner for safeguarding has a good understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures, and their responsibility to liaise with local statutory children's services agencies, including the local safeguarding children partnership

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Summary of outcome

n train all staff to understand the setting's safeguarding policy and procedures, make sure they have a secure knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and know what to do if they are concerned about a child or in the event of an allegation being made.

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Summary of outcome

On 22 January 2021, we carried out a regulatory visit to monitor the provider's compliance with the WRN actions. We found the provider had met some of the safeguarding and welfare actions but not others. The provider had implemented regular staff supervision meetings and devised a new induction process for new members of staff. The provider had trained staff to understand their safeguarding policy and to know what to do if there was an allegation or a concern about a child. However, we found that the designated lead for safeguarding had not followed local safeguarding partnership procedures or liaised with local statutory children's services following recent concerns about a child.

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Summary of outcome

Additionally, during the visit, we found new areas of concern. This means that the provider was not meeting other requirements as set out in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage.

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Summary of outcome

In relation to the new areas of concern, we have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. Actions needed by 26 February 2021:

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Summary of outcome

n ensure the designated lead practitioner for safeguarding has a good understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures, and their responsibility to liaise with statutory children's services agencies, including the local safeguarding children partnership

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that any child protection concerns are reported, in line with local safeguarding partnership procedures and that the designated lead practitioner for safeguarding is proactive in liaising with statutory children's services to meet the needs of children

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Summary of outcome

n ensure all concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children are recorded accurately and promptly.

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Summary of outcome

On 1 March 2021, we carried out a regulatory visit to monitor the provider's compliance with the WRN actions. We found the provider had undertaken safeguarding training and reviewed their policy, paperwork and procedures to ensure all safeguarding concerns are reported promptly and in-line with local safeguarding partnership procedures. We are satisfied the provider has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

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Publication of compliance action

We aim to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is protected in the services we regulate. The Childcare Act 2006 and accompanying regulations set out our responsibilities to regulate childminders and childcare providers. This includes the enforcement powers we have in relation to those registered providers who do not comply with the requirements for registration.

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Publication of compliance action

We publish details of any actions we take, or the childminder or childcare provider takes to bring about compliance with requirements on our website for a period of five years.

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Publication of compliance action

For further information please read 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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