Inspection Summary Round Up
The Development and Support Team, here at BAND, are always looking through the latest Bristol Ofsted inspection reports and every 3 months produce inspection summaries for early years settings and out of school groups. They detail why a setting has been given a certain grade and what they need to do to ‘further improve’. They can be really useful in helping find out what the current ‘hot topics’ for Ofsted are and so help with preparing for your inspection.
Here is our summary from July, August and September 2019 inspections:
The main safeguarding and welfare issues recently picked up in recent inspections are:
- Safeguarding – ensure all staff fully understand all aspects of the safeguarding policy and relevant procedures and have an up-to-date knowledge of any issues, including the ability to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect.
- Staffing and recruitment – make sure induction procedures enable all staff to have a clear understanding of what is expected of them from the start. Then ensure staff receive appropriate support, coaching and training so that they fully understand their roles and responsibilities.
- Support and supervision – make sure that the Manager receives regular supervision sessions as well as the staff team. Ofsted might ask to see evidence of this and it has recently been the reason for one group being judged as ‘requires improvement’.
- Policies – extend how these are shared with parents, so that all are fully aware and informed about the procedures that staff follow when caring for their children.
- Self-evaluation – provide opportunities for parents to voice their opinions, share any concerns and offer their ideas, to help drive improvement.
- Personal hygiene – procedures need to be in place to help children gain a deeper understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene practices.
- Health care and medication – make sure there are robust procedures in place for gaining information about children’s individual health and care needs, to ensure staff meet these at all times and ensure that written parental consent is obtained for each type of medication administered.
- Keeping safe – support children to gain a greater understanding of how to keep themselves safe and involve them in risk assessments and routines such as tidying up.
- Independence – ensure there are lots of opportunities for children to complete achievable tasks for themselves, to develop their skills and confidence in their own abilities.
- Meal and snack times – review how these are organised to ensure they are sociable and relaxed and have procedures in place to help children understand the importance of a healthy diet and making good food choices.
If you would like any support in any of the above or in helping your setting prepare for Ofsted, please contact your Development and Support Worker.
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Fundraising news: Ford Britain
Ford Britain Ford Britain Trust is committed to supporting local UK communities. Applications that are based near to a Ford plant or office location in the UK are awarded a higher weight...
Play throughout the ages
Play throughout the ages 1900’s: In a stark contrast to today, in the early 1900’s children were expected to entertain themselves. There was no money for expensive toys, and the adults were...
Is it time to let children play outdoors once more?
Is it time to let children play outdoors once more? Back in 2008 the decline in children’s play was laid bare when Government ministers admitted that one in four eight- to 10-year-olds...
FUNDRAISING BLOG: The Garfield Weston Foundation
Fundraising News: The Garfield Weston Foundation The Garfield Weston Foundation are excited to announce that on the 5th January 2018 they will be launching a new one-off grants scheme to celebrate the...
We Need Your Help in developing the Playwork Apprenticeship Standards
ATTENTION PLAYWORK EMPLOYERS: We Need Your Help in developing the Playwork Apprenticeship Standards The Government wants employers to be at the centre of the process for designing and delivering Apprenticeships. This is...
FUNDRAISING BLOG: UnLtd, Sport relief & Spirit of 2012
FUNDRAISING BLOG: UnLtd, Sport relief & Spirit of 2012 UnLtd, in partnership with Sports Relief and the Spirit of 2012, has announced that young people who want to start, grow or build...
BANDNews-Back Issues: Safeguarding Bristol’s Children
Safeguarding Bristol’s Children From 2017 In September, Bristol Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) issued new guidance around making referrals to First Response that all childcare and school settings should have received. First Response...
FUNDRAISING BLOG:Blue Spark Foundation
Blue Spark Foundation B lueSpark Foundation is a registered charity which supports the education and development of children and young people by providing grants for educational, cultural, sporting and other projects. They will fund schools...
FUNDRAISING BLOG
1) Music for All Many projects and initiatives take place throughout the UK that all aim to bring music to their community. Most would benefit from a “helping hand” to fulfil their...
BANDNEWS – BACK ISSUES: Cooking Corner: Ice Cream in a Bag
BAND NEWS – BACK ISSUES: Cooking Corner: Ice Cream in a Bag From JULY 17 When summer comes, the days will be hot and balmy and we will all be longing for...
BANDNEWS – BACK ISSUES: Learning from the death of four year old Chadrack Mulo
Learning from the death of four year old Chadrack Mulo What should we do when a child has an un-notified absence? From JULY 17 Chadrack Mulo was a four year old boy...
BANDNews-Back Issues: Lockdown Procedure
Lockdown Procedure From JULY 17 Does your setting have a robust and tested Lockdown Procedure? We recommend all settings consider having a Lockdown Procedures as a sensible response to any external or...
BANDNews – Back issues: A Grand Day Out
A Grand Day Out From JULY 17 So many places to go, how can you make sure your playscheme trip goes really well? The first question to ask is what are the...
BANDNews – Back issues: Building Relationships Across Generations
Building Relationships Across Generations May 2017 Becket Hall Day Nursery and Osbourne Court Care Home have entered into an unusual partnership; for the last 5 months, a group of children from the...
BANDNews-Back issues: Movement in Mind
BANDNews-Back issues: Movement in Mind From MAY 2017 In recent years, we’ve heard a lot about the importance of playing outside and being able to run around for children’s development. Further neuroscience...
BANDNews-Back issues: Rates Boost Childcare Equality?
BANDNews back issues: Rates Boost Childcare Equality? From MAY 2017 Anew report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests that the governments’ proposal to allow local authorities to retain 100%...
BANDNews-Back issues: Short Changed?
BANDNews-Back issues: Short Changed? From MAY 2017 A lthough the national minimum wage and living wage levels increased in April, research by the DfE in 2016 and more recently by the Family...
BAND Fundraising Resources
BAND Fundraising Resources Fundraising is an important part of life for many groups. To help, BAND can provide practical advice and support to childcare providers on how to access various sources of funding. ...
Co-op Membership Funding – Music Workshops
BAND has been shortlisted for funding through the Co-op Membership funding programme …and we need your vote to attract as many funds as possible. Funding will be used to pay for free...
BAND Equalities Conference: All together now.
Equalities underpin all aspects of our work with children and young people. It’s a vital part of our ongoing professional development that can get neglected and overlooked. All Together Now March 28...
Safer Internet Day 2017 – 7th February
Safer Internet Day – 7th February saferinternet.org.uk Safer Internet Day 2017 will take place on Tuesday 7th February with the theme ‘Be the change: unite for a better internet’. https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2017 Quick links:...
Early Years Designated Safeguarding Leads Network Meetings.
Early Years Designated Safeguarding Leads Network Meetings. These meetings will take place 3 times a year and will be organised on an area basis. Download the flyer here: EY Designated lead meetings...
Makaton Enhancement course, February: Spaces available
Makaton Enhancement BAND still has spaces on the 6 session Makaton Enhancement course commencing on Wednesday 22nd February, 9.30am – 1pm at the BAND office. The other sessions will run on 8th...
Band Annual Report 2015-16
Band Annual Report 2015-16. It’s been a very busy and productive year at BAND. During the year we’ve had applications for BAND membership from 31 organisations and individuals, including: nurseries, preschools, schools...
Spaced Out!: Space activities for kids
Looking for an activity theme over the next few months? How about focusing on space to celebrate the European Space Agency’s (ESA) six month ‘Principia’ mission. The mission began in December...
Bristol -Time to stand up for children’s play!
The Bristol Play Network has been campaigning during 2015 to raise awareness about children’s opportunities to play. So as the autumn ends and the nights draw in it seems a good time...
BAND visit the Play Bus Sensory Truck
Friday, 22 May 2015 BAND visit the Play Bus Sensory Truck As part of our on-going commitment to inclusion, BAND has run a pilot session with the PlayBus Sensory Truck to see if improving...
Craft Skills 21st September 2012
Craft Skills 21st September 2012, a set on Flickr. Photos of the Craft Skills course held last week, thanks to all those involved for making it a great day...
Photos of the PAWS Fire Workshop led by the Ape Project
PAWS Fire Workshop 2012, a set on Flickr...
Bristol Adventure Playgrounds
Bristol Adventure Playgrounds Adventure Playgrounds have been around in the UK for over 60 years, but with funding cuts affecting services across the UK, what might happen in Bristol? To set the...
Bristol’s drive towards inclusion
We know that families of disabled children and disabled children need support to ensure that they can access a full range of services, sometimes that support is ensuring our own services are...
Theme Time
Ok, it’s the summer. This means it’s up to you all to think of fab, funny and physical ideas for the summer playschemes. It’s great to have a range of starting points...
Get Hunting!
Looking for some active, outdoor fun? Then why not plan a scavenger hunt. This is a great way to really explore any outdoor (or even indoor) environment. You can do it anywhere...
Space Theme Inspiration
It’s been a few months of amazing space events: MARSONE, an initiative to place humans on Mars in 2023, attracts over 80,000 video applicants. It’s a one way trip for...
The Ofsted Big Conversation
The Ofsted Big Conversation On the evening of Friday 13thSeptember, despite the awful weather, we were fortunate enough to be able attend one of the National Ofsted Big Conversations that had been...
First Response launches its city-wide service from 16th December 2013
From 16th December 2013 First Response will be the place to call in Bristol if you are concerned about a child or young person or think they need support. When...
Celebrate Brazil 2014
Celebrate Brazil 2014 As Brazil hosts the World Cup from the 12thJune, we have pulled together some Brazilian themed activities and ideas that you could try out in your setting, alongside their...
Update on Ofsted Big Conversation
Last night saw the South West Big Conversation meeting enabling Early Years Providers and support workers and representatives from Ofsted to enter in to a dialogue. The Ofsted panel of 4 included...
Disqualification – Dazed and Confused?
You may be aware that there has been growing discussion, debate, contradiction and general kerfuffle over what exactly are the rules regarding disqualification of a worker due to ‘Association’. This means where...
Celebrate Brazil 2014
As Brazil hosts the World Cup from the 12th June, we have pulled together some Brazilian themed activities and ideas that you could try out in your setting, alongside their top sport...
