EYFSManagement & Safeguarding Audit
Group-based early years providers
Setting name:Ofsted URN:
Date audit started:
Setting representative(s) for audit:
Name and email address of registered provider:
Early Years Support and Intervention Officer:
Age group cared for: / Opening hours:
Layout of premises (attach floor plan if available, or give brief description):
Other relevant information:
Guidance for completion:
This audit has been based upon the ‘Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2017)’, ‘LSCB guidance’, Ofsted ‘Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings (2015)’ and the Ofsted ‘Early Years Inspection Handbook, Part 2 The Evaluation Schedule (2015)’. It is the responsibility of the childcare provider to ensure that EYFS and other legal requirements are fully met. Childcare providers are expected to regularly review the EYFS Statutory Requirements as part of ongoing monitoring and improvement of practice. The advice offered at the time of this audit has been based upon the information made available by the childcare provider.
In order to complete this audit it is essential to refer to the EYFS Statutory Framework to ensure that the legal requirements are thoroughly understood and met. Ofsted’s Early Years Evaluation Schedule should also be referred to for a description of how Ofsted makes judgements on quality. Early years providers are expected to aim for a minimum grading of ‘Good’.
The ‘EYFS Ref’ column gives the relevant paragraph numbers of the EYFS Statutory Framework (2017). Where there is no specific reference within the Statutory Framework, there is a related definition of good practice in Ofsted’s Early Years Evaluation Schedule. The ‘Ofsted Guidance’ relates to Inspecting Safeguarding in early years, education and skills setting (2015) and corresponding paragraph numbers.
The ‘Comments/Action required’ column should be used to record:
- any practice that is notably strong;
- any action required to meet requirements (these should be highlighted in bold/colour and transferred to an improvement plan);
- any advice provided to strengthen practice (this should also be highlighted in bold/colour and transferred to an improvement plan).
Sources of support and further information: (for direct access to web links, press ‘Ctrl’ while you left-click)
Accessed? / Accessed?East Sussex County Council c-zone pages;
/ East Sussex Training Directory: Accessed through learning portal:
Early Years Improvement Team Facebook Page;
EYFS requirements, guidance and email updates (sign up): – ‘EYFS Statutory Framework’, ‘Development Matters’, ‘Progress Check at Age Two’, ‘Birth to Three Matters’, ‘EYFS for Parents’ / Ofsted website and email updates (sign up):
Including Ofsted Self Evaluation Form and Guidance &
Early Years Inspection Handbook (includes Evaluation Schedule)
Ofsted inspecting Safeguarding guidance
Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) guidelines, including Continuum of Need: removed reference to the 2014 SG manual
Pan Sussex Procedures for Child Protection and Safeguarding:
/ Fundamental British Values in the Early Years:
The Prevent Duty: Advice for Schools and Childcare Providers (protecting children from radicalisation and extremism): / Safer Recruitment E-Learning – free to Ofsted-registered providers – approx. 2-3 hours:
Accessed via through the learning portal.
Course Code: CWC/17/002
Safeguarding children and Prevent e-learningcourses;
/ ACAS - guidance and support with employment and human resources matters:
Disclosure and Barring Service, including information about suitability checks and making referrals: / Guidance (aimed at schools) for supporting children with medical conditions:
Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice 2014 - / SEN and Disabilities information (previously known as Local Offer)
Safer Food, Better Business: Food Standards Agency / Food Standards Agency, including information about food hygiene and allergies:
Health & Safety Executive, including information about risk management and RIDDOR: / Nursery Milk Scheme:
Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and Other Childcare Settings: / ‘Eat Better Start Better’ Voluntary Food and Drink Guidelines for Early Years Settings (School Food Trust): –
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) – guidance for employers, self-employed, employees and parents: / Local Children’s Centre / Health Visiting Team: Leaflets, advice, latest guidance, e.g. family support, SIDS, breastfeeding, formula feeding, weaning, toilet training
Advice for practitioners / ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)safety guidelines
Local voluntary support organisations
/ Safer sleep guidance
Whistleblowing advice line for professionals
/ Single point of advice (SPOA)
Practitioners who completed or registeredfor a qualification before 1 September 2014 must hold a qualification that meets the full and relevant criteria to be counted in the specified ratios at levels 2 and 3.
Practitioners who registered fora qualification from 1 September 2014 must hold a qualification that meets theearly years educator criteria and must also have achieved a suitable level 2 qualification in English and maths as defined by the Department for Educationor above to be counted in the level 3 ratios. / Paediatric First Aid
All newly qualified entrants to the early years workforce who have completed a level 2 and/or level 3 qualification on or after 30 June 2016, must also have either a full PFA or an emergency PFA certificate within three months of starting work in order to be included in the required staff:child ratios at level 2 or level 3 in an early years setting.
Providers should display (or make available to parents) staff PFA certificates or a list of staff who have a current PFA certificate.
E-Safety Guidance and Resources
ENTRANCE / EYFS Ref / Ofsted
Guidance / Comments/Action required / Date Discussed / Date Actioned
Environment and practitioner/s create a positive and professional welcome to children, parents, staff and visitors / 3.1 / 15
Registration certificate displayed / 3.76
Info about practitioners and management (photos, qualifications, roles and responsibilities) – clear management structure including committee / 3.28; 3.73
Visitors record / ID checking; visitors and volunteers are introduced to all practitioners and are monitored (consider visitor badges). Adults who have not been suitability checked do not have unsupervised access to children / 3.62 / 21
Ofsted poster for complaints/ complaints procedure displayed / 3.74-3.75
Inspection report displayed or available to parents / 3.75
Health & Safety poster on display to staff (2011 version with photos) / 3.54
Appropriate insurance (e.g. public liability insurance) to cover all premises from which they provide childcare or childminding. / 3.63
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
Continuous improvement / EYFS Ref / Ofsted
Guidance / Comments/Action required / Date Discussed / Date Actioned
Process in place for self-evaluation and ongoing improvement which involves the views of children, parents and staff (e.g. Ofsted SEF, Launchpad, Ofsted Early Years Evaluation Schedule, quality assurance scheme) / Ofsted Guidance
Improvement plan with clear focus, actions and timescales, monitored and evaluated regularly (e.g. every 6 weeks / through staff meetings)
Strong leadership and communication of the improvement process with active involvement of the registered provider - commitment to training and implementing change / Ofsted
Guidance
Staff/ management/ committee meetings, professional development and training, and associated records / 3.20-3.21
Access to training and development opportunities, cascading to staff and management team, putting into practice and evaluating impact / 3.20-3.21
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
Management systems / EYFS Ref / Ofsted
Guidance / Comments/Action required / Date Discussed / Date Actioned
Regular review carried out of EYFS Statutory Framework requirements / 3.2
Ofsted notified of significant changes/ events, including changes to the registered provider and individual committee members via EY3and EY2 forms.
Where the ‘registered provider’ is an organisation or committee, records must be easily accessible and seen by the Early Years Support and Intervention Officer, for each individual who is part of the registered body:
- Name, address and contact details
- DBS/CRB number and date, (including signing up to update service)
- Date/confirmation that EY2 form has been submitted
For committee run provision, contact with local voluntary support organisation
Ofsted notified of changes to individuals who make up the organisation, nominated persons, managers, (notifying change of manager is also a condition of EYEE registration to notify the EYEE Team) / 3.77-3.78
Systems for managing the business, including record keeping and ongoing maintenance of all requirements / 3.68, 3.69
Effective communication systems between the registered provider and management, with clearly delegated roles and responsibilities for meeting requirements / 3.20
ESCC advisory: Basic skills in ICT (including emailing, word processing and internet research) and active use of an email address that can be used for communication with ESCC / N/A
Confidentiality, storage of records, ‘data in transit’ / 3.69-3.71
Data protection notification – certificate of registration or exemption
(Information Commissioners Office: 0303 123 1113) / 3.69
Policies and procedures clearly presented, dated and signed by registered provider
See appendix for guidance on required policies / 3.3
Policies and procedures updated and reviewed (at least once per year) / 18
Parental and staff involvement and agreement to policies and procedures
Staff given copy of key policies- Safeguarding, whistle blowing, allegations, complaints / 3.73 / 13
Qualifications requirements to meet ratios for those working directly with the children – a summary record of qualifications/compulsory training available at all times on site.
Extra consideration for those caring for 0-2s (3.31) / 3.23; 3.24; 3.30-3.37
Adult:child ratios meet legal requirements and staff are deployed appropriately – contingency arrangements in place / 3.28 – 3.37
‘SEN and Disability information’ previously known as ‘Local offer’ describing the provision made for children with special educational needs, reviewed at least annually
/ 3.67; SEN Code of Practice
Record of staff names, addresses and contact details held on site at all times (also details of the registered provider / committee members where applicable) / 3.76
Named deputy who is capable and qualified to take charge in manager’s absence / 3.23
At least one qualified first aider at all times (on the premises and on outings) – deployment allows quick response to emergencies
Providers should display (or make available to parents) staff PFA certificates or a list of staff who have a current PFA certificate / 3.25
Managers and practitioners have clear and effective communication skills in English, verbally and in writing (minimum level 2 in English) / 3.26
Complaints procedure and records / 3.74-3.75
Required permissions and agreements in place and adhered to in relation to use of the premises (landlord, mortgage provider, local council planning department) / 3.77
Reasonable adjustments to premises, facilities, equipment and access with regard to the Equality Act 2010 / 3.58
Management understanding and commitment to actively promoting equality, diversity and ‘British Values’ (guidance available), reflected in any relevant policies, e.g. staff behaviour policy, equality of opportunity, ethos, anti-bullying, challenging of racist, sexist, homophobic and derogatory terms. / 15
18
Area for confidential discussions with staff/parents, and an area for staff to take breaks away from the children / 3.61
Info from parents (updated regularly) – emergency contacts, dietary, health, legal guardians, child’s and parents’ addresses, who child lives with, child’s full name and date of birth, any contact restrictions, any other settings the child attends, any other professionals involved in supporting the child or family / 3.68; 3.72
Pupil Premium eligibility checked on child’s registration and/or when they become eligible for 3 year old EYEE and 4 year old EYEE
Parental permissions i.e for use of photographs (include retention period), sun cream, routine outings / 3.64, 3.69
Identification of other settings/carers/other agencies involved with child and actively seeking partnership opportunities / 3.68
Parental engagement strategies from registration of interest, registration and induction throughout the child’s placement / 3.68
Monitoring of attendance – alert to patterns that may indicate safeguarding concerns. Promotion of good attendance, especially for children eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium.
Appropriate action taken for children who stop attending which includes notifying EYEE team / 13
18
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT:
Managing staff / EYFS Ref / Ofsted
Guidance / Comments/Action required / Date Discussed / Date Actioned
Job descriptions/specifications current and clear / 3.20; 3.28
Disciplinary procedures
Staff behaviour and positive relationships between staff – clear expectations and support, reflected in any relevant policies, e.g. staff behaviour policy/code of conduct and these are reviewed regularly / 13
18
Induction procedures and records – e.g. handbooks, induction plans, signed checklists, monitoring and supervision (including students and volunteers) / 3.20-3.22
Supervision arrangements to support practitioners’ continuous improvement (CPD plans) and discussion of sensitive issuesincluding child protection concerns led by manager and registered provider. Records/minutes kept. (Advise 6 weekly and use opportunity to review selection of Learning Journeys/Parent Partnership) / 3.21-3.23 / 13
System for ensuring key persons have the necessary skills, experience and support to fulfil their role
Regular review of key person system to ensure babies and young children are forming strong attachments / 3.21, 3.27 / 13 / ,
All practitioners able to consistently demonstrate good interpersonal skills, professional standards of behaviour and positive relationships with children, parents and other professionals
CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING:
Designated lead person / EYFS Ref / Ofsted
Guidance / Comments/Action required / Date Discussed / Date Actioned
There is a designated person to take lead responsibility for dealing with child protection issues, providing advice and support to other staff, liaising with the local authority and for working with other agencies / 3.5 / 13
The designated safeguarding lead or an appropriately trained deputy should be available during opening hours for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns / LSCB Guidance / 18
The designated lead is of sufficient seniority to be able to commit resources to child protection matters and direct staff / 3.5
The designated lead for safeguarding has a job description that clearly defines their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children / LSCB Guidance / 18
The supervision process includes effective scrutiny and challenge of the safeguarding lead’s work by their manager / LSCB Guidance
CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING:
Induction, training and supervision / EYFS Ref / Ofsted
Guidance / Comments/Action required / Date Discussed / Date Actioned
The lead person for safeguarding and the deputy have up-to-date safeguarding training every two years (ie ESCC Designated Safeguarding Leads Training for Childcare Settings) and their knowledge and skills should be refreshed at least annually
/ 3.5 / 18
All other staff members who work with children undertake appropriate basic child protection training, i.e ESCC Practitioner Child Protection Training for Childcare Settings, which is kept up to date by refresher e-learning training annually. / 3.6; LSCB Guidance / 18
All new practitioners working with children, including volunteers and students, are given induction that includes:
- Familiarisation with the child protection policy and procedures and other related policies
- Basic child protection training that includes:
○awareness of indicators of radicalisation and extremism
○how to respond to any concerns
○e-safety awareness, use of social media and images
○the line of accountability in the setting for safeguarding and children’s welfare / 3.6; LSCB Guidance / 10
13
Practitioners are able to identify children who would benefit from earlier help or additional services to improve outcomes and to prevent them from needing social care intervention; staff receive training and guidance on Single point of advice (SPOA) and the East Sussex Continuum of Need and when to refer children / LSCB Guidance
Records are kept of which staff members within the setting have received induction and basic child protection training, including refresher training / 3.20; LSCB Guidance / 15
Additional training (both single- and multi-agency) is available for staff working with children and young people appropriate to their role / 18
Practitioners, students and volunteers are kept up to date with statutory requirements, implementation of the setting’s policy and procedures, and findings from serious case reviews and inspections, e.g. through ‘Safeguarding’ being on the agenda at every staff meeting, discussions about hypothetical scenarios, regular checks made on knowledge of procedures. / LSCB Guidance
CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING:
Recognising risks and managing referrals / EYFS Ref / Ofsted
Guidance / Comments/Action required / Date Discussed / Date Actioned
To support children’s ability to make a disclosure/ express information that raises concern: Children showing signs of fear or distress are responded to immediately by their key person or another attentive adult. Children are supported to recognise and name their feelings / LSCB guidance / 13
The safeguarding lead makes prompt referrals about safeguarding concerns to relevant agencies. / 3.4-3.8 / 13
The safeguarding lead maintains contact with the professional who referred the child for 2yr funding or who is leading the child protection plan. / 18
Practitioners are clear about the circumstances in which concerns need to be passed on to the setting’s safeguarding lead; training and guidance for staff cover how to recognise signs of abuse, and how to recognise indicators of possible radicalisation or extremism (see ‘The Prevent Duty: Departmental Advice for Schools and Childcare Providers’)
Practitioners have a copy and understand the policy for Safeguarding including allegations / 3.6 / 13
18
There is a standardised recording system (using agreed templates) in line with East Sussex LSCB guidance - Keeping Records of Child Protection and Welfare Concerns: Guidance for Early Years Settings, Schools and Colleges(2014), This includes the front sheet, chronology, incident/welfare concern form and body map. Templates are easily accessible to practitioners / 3.4; 3.68-3.71
Records relating to child protection are held in a safeguarding folder, separately to the children’s other records (a code may be used on the children’s other records to indicate the existence of child protection records) and are accessible only to those with lead responsibility for safeguarding / 3.69