Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, this policy was adopted by Collingham Preschool on 8/9/25.

Designated safeguarding lead is: Sarah Jarvis

Aim

We are committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and will do this by putting young people and vulnerable adult’s right to be ‘strong, resilient and listened to ‘at the heart of all our activities.

The Early Years Alliance ‘four commitments’ are broad statements against which policies and procedures across the organisation are drawn to provide a consistent and coherent strategy for safeguarding children young people and vulnerable adults. The four key commitments are:

1. The Alliance is committed to empowering children, young people, and vulnerable adults, promoting their right to be ‘strong, resilient, actively listened to, and heard’. 

1. The Alliance upholds a culture of safety in which children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse and harm in all areas of its curriculum and service delivery.  

1. The Alliance is committed to preventing harm and responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur. Working with statutory agencies to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child. 

1. The Alliance is dedicated to increasing safeguarding confidence, knowledge and good practice throughout its training and learning programmes for adults, advocating support and representation for those in greatest need. 

NB: A ‘young person’ is defined as 16–19-year-old. In an early years setting, they may be a student, apprentice educator, or parent/carer.

A ‘vulnerable adult’ (see guidance to the Care Act 2014) as: 'a person aged 18 years or over, who is in receipt of or may need community care services by reason of 'mental or other disability, age or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation'. In early years, this person may be a service user, parent/carer of a service user, or a volunteer.

Key Commitment 1

• All staff receive adequate training in child protection matters and have access to the setting’s policy and procedures for reporting concerns of possible abuse and the safeguarding procedures of the Local Safeguarding Partners.
• All staff have adequate information on issues affecting vulnerability in families such as social exclusion, domestic violence, mental illness, substance misuse and parental learning disability, together with training that takes account of factors that affect children that arise from inequalities of race, gender, disability, language, religion, sexual orientation, or culture.
• We use available curriculum materials for young children, taking account of information in the Early Years Foundation Stage, that enable children to be strong, resilient, and listened to and heard.
• All services seek to build the emotional and social skills of children and young people who are service users in an age-appropriate way, including increasing their understanding of how to stay safe.
• We adhere to the EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare requirements.

 

Key Commitment 2

• All staff are trained in line with the Criteria set out in Annex C of the EYFS (November 2025). Our training provider is..Early Years Alliance for all staff and Leeds City Council for DSL................................................................................................................
  Safeguarding training is renewed every two years. The designated safeguarding lead ensures support, advice and guidance for all staff to meet their safeguarding responsibilities by:
  • Regular supervision and 1:1 Team briefings, group supervision, reviewing safeguarding procedures together.
• There are procedures in place to prevent known abusers from coming into the organisation as employees or volunteers at any level.
• Safeguarding is the responsibility of every person undertaking the work of the organisation in any capacity.
• There are procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against a member of staff, or any other person undertaking work whether paid or unpaid for the organisation, where there is an allegation of abuse or harm of a child. Procedures differentiate clearly between an allegation, a concern about quality of care or practice and complaints.
• There are procedures in place for reporting abuse of children or a young person in the setting.
• There are procedures in place for reporting safeguarding concerns where a child may meet the s17 definition of a child in need (Children Act 1989) and/or where a child may be at risk of significant harm, and to enable staff to make decisions about appropriate referrals using local published threshold documents.
• There are procedures in place for reporting abuse of a vulnerable adult in the setting.
• There are procedures in place in relation to escalating concerns and professional challenge.
• There are procedures in place for working in partnership with agencies involving a child, or young person or vulnerable adult, for whom there is a protection plan in place. These procedures also take account of working with families with a ‘child in need’ and with families in need of early help, who are affected by issues of vulnerability such as social exclusion, radicalisation, domestic violence, mental illness, substance misuse and parental learning disability.
• These procedures take account of diversity and inclusion issues to promote equal treatment of children and their families and that take account of factors that affect children that arise from inequalities of race, gender, disability, language, religion, sexual orientation, or culture.
• There are procedures in place for record keeping, confidentiality and information sharing, which are in line with data protection requirements.
• We follow government and Local Safeguarding Partners guidance in relation to extremism.
• The procedures of the Local Safeguarding Partners must be followed.

Key Commitment 3

• We have a ‘designated safeguarding lead person’, who is responsible for carrying out child, young person, or adult protection procedures.
• The designated safeguarding lead is responsible for overseeing all child, young person or adult protection matters.
• The ‘designated safeguarding lead’ ensures they have links with statutory and voluntary organisations regarding safeguarding children.
• The ‘designated safeguarding lead’ ensures they have received appropriate training on child protection matters and that all staff are adequately informed and/or trained to recognise child abuse in the categories of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect.
• The ‘designated safeguarding lead’ ensures all staff are aware of the additional vulnerabilities that affect children that arise from inequalities of race, gender, disability, language, religion, sexual orientation, or culture and that these receive full consideration in child, young person, or adult protection related matters.
• The ‘designated safeguarding lead ensures that staff are aware and receive training in social factors affecting children’s vulnerability including, but not limited to:
• social exclusion
• domestic violence and controlling or coercive behaviour
• mental Illness
• drug and alcohol abuse (substance misuse)
• parental/carer learning disability
• radicalisation
• The ‘designated safeguarding lead’ ensures that staff are aware and receive training in other ways that children may suffer significant harm and stay up to date with relevant contextual safeguarding matters:
• abuse of disabled children
• fabricated or induced illness
• child abuse linked to spirit possession
• sexually exploited children
• children who are trafficked and/or exploited
• female genital mutilation
• extra-familial abuse and threats
• children involved in violent offending, with gangs and county lines.

The ‘designated safeguarding lead’ ensures they are adequately informed in vulnerable adult protection matters.

Key commitment 4

• There are procedures in place to ensure staff recognise children and families who may benefit from early help and can respond using local early help processes. Designated safeguarding leads should ensure all staff understand how to identify and respond to families who may need early help.
• Staff are supported to make the right decisions that enable timely and appropriate action to be taken.
• Designated safeguarding leads contribute towards local safeguarding arrangements to ensure that the views of the sector are heard at the highest level by:
  • Finding out how education and childcare are represented at a strategic level within their Local Safeguarding Partnership (LSP) structures.
  • Sharing their knowledge of the experiences of children in their cohort with LSP local leaders

Legal referencesPrimary legislation

Children Act 1989 – s 47

Protection of Children Act 1999

Care Act 2014

Children Act 2004 s11

Children and Social Work Act 2017

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015

General Data Protection Regulation 2018

Data Protection Act 2018

Modern Slavery Act 2015

Sexual Offences Act 2003

Serious Crime Act 2015

Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)

Human Rights Act (1998)

Equalities Act (2006)

Equalities Act (2010)

Disability Discrimination Act (1995)

Data Protection Act (2018)

Freedom of Information Act (2000)

Legal references

Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMG 2023)

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2024

What to Do if You are Worried a Child is Being Abused (HMG 2015)

Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales: guidance for specified authorities in England and Wales on the duty of schools and other providers in the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’ (HMG 2015)

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024

Education Inspection Framework (Ofsted 2024)

The framework for the assessment of children in need and their families (DoH 2000)

The Common Assessment Framework (2006)

Statutory guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (DfE 2015)

Further guidance

Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners (DfE 2024)

The Team Around the Child (TAC) and the Lead Professional (CWDC 2009)

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) – guide for practitioners (CWDC 2010)

Multi-Agency Statutory Guidance on Female Genital Mutilation (HMG. 2016)

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) (Ministry of Justice, National Offender Management Service and HM Prison Service 2014)

Safeguarding Children from Abuse Linked to a Belief in Spirit Possession (HMG 2010)

Safeguarding Children in whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced (HMG 2007)

Safeguarding Disabled Children: Practice Guidance (DfE 2009)

Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked (DfE and Home Office 2011)

Child sexual exploitation: definition and guide for practitioners (DfE 2017)

Handling Cases of Forced Marriage: Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines (HMG 2014)

Spotlight: Creating a culture of safeguarding (Early Years Alliance)

Developing an effective safeguarding culture in early years education (Early Years Alliance publication)

 

Privacy notice

Collingham Preschool’s Privacy Notice

Collingham Preschool

Memorial Hall, Main Street, Collingham, Wetherby, LS22 5AS

collingham.preschool@icloud.com   07835 882361

Data protection officer: Amy Walton

 

Introduction

Personal data is protected in accordance with data protection laws and used in line with your expectations. This privacy notice explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, the control you have over your personal data and the procedures we have in place to protect it.

When we refer to “we”, “us” or “our”, we mean Collingham Preschool.

What personal data we collect at Collingham Preschool

We collect personal data about you and your child to provide care and learning tailored to meet your child’s individual needs. Personal details that we obtain from you include your child’s: name, date of birth, address, and health, development and any special educational needs information. We will also ask for information about who has parental responsibility for your child and any court orders pertaining to your child.

Personal data that we collect about you includes: your name, home and work address, phone numbers, email address, emergency contact details, and family details.

We will only with your consent collect your national Insurance number or unique taxpayer reference (UTR) where necessary if you are self-employed and where you apply for up to 30 hours free childcare and early education. We also collect information regarding benefits and family credits. Please note that if this information is not provided, then we cannot claim funding for your child.

We also process financial information when you pay your childcare and early education fees by chip and pin or direct debit. We may collect other data from you when you voluntarily contact us.

Where applicable we will obtain details of your child’s social worker, child protection plans from social care, and health care plans from health professionals and other health agencies.

We may collect this information in a variety of ways. For example, data will be collected from you directly in the registration form; from identity documents; from correspondence with you; or from health and other professionals.

 

 

Why we collect personal data and the legal basis for handling your data

We use personal data about you and your child to provide childcare and early education services and to fulfil the contractual arrangement you have entered. This includes using your data in the following ways:

• To support your child’s wellbeing and development.
• To effectively manage any special education, health or medical needs of your child whilst at the setting.
• To carry out regular assessment of your child’s progress and to identify any areas of concern.
• To maintain relevant contact about your child’s wellbeing and development.
• To contact you in the case of an emergency.
• To process your claim for free childcare and early education, if applicable.
• To enable us to respond to any questions you ask.
• To keep you updated about information which forms part of your contract with us.
• To notify you of service changes or issues.
• To send you our e-newsletter, if you have subscribed to it.

With your consent, we would also like to:

• Collect your child’s ethnicity and religion data for monitoring purposes.
• Record your child’s activities for their individual learning journal (this will often include photographs and videos of children during play).
• Sign you up for our free parent e-newsletter which provides resources and useful information for parents.
• Transfer your child’s records to the receiving school when s/he transfers.

If we wish to use any images of your child for training, publicity or marketing purposes we will seek your written consent for each image we wish to use. You are able to withdraw your consent at any time, for images being taken of your child and/or for the transfer of records to the receiving school, by confirming so in writing to the setting. You can also unsubscribe from receiving our parent e-newsletter by notifying the setting.

We have a legal obligation to process safeguarding related data about your child should we have concerns about her/his welfare.

Who we share your data with

As a registered early years provider to deliver childcare and early education services it is necessary for us to share data about you and/or your child with the following categories of recipients:

• Ofsted, or the childminder agency (if registered with an agency) when there has been a complaint about the childcare and early education service or during an inspection.
• Banking services to process chip and pin and/or direct debit payments.
• The local authority if you claim up to 30 hours free childcare.
• The governments eligibility checker as above, if applicable.
• Our insurance underwriter, where applicable.
• An email newsletter service, where you have given consent to receive our e-newsletter.

We will also share your data:

• If we are legally required to do so, for example, by a law enforcement agency, court.
• To enforce or apply the terms and conditions of your contract with us.
• To protect your child and other children; for example, by sharing information with medical services, social services, or the police.
• If it is necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety or to protect the rights, property, or safety of others.
• With the school that your child will be attending, when they transfer, if applicable.
• If we transfer the management of the provision out or take over any other organisation or part of it, in which case we may disclose your personal data to the prospective seller or buyer so that they may continue using it in the same way.

Our nursery management and communication software provider may be able to access your personal data when carrying out maintenance task and software updates on our behalf. However, we have a written agreement in place which place this company under a duty of confidentiality. 

We will never share your data with any organisation to use for their own purposes.

How do we protect your data?

We take the security of your personal data seriously. We have internal policies and strict controls in place to try to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused, or disclosed and to prevent unauthorised access.

Where we engage third parties to process personal data on our behalf, they are under a duty of confidentiality and are obliged to implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to ensure the security of data.

Where do we store your data?

All data you provide to us is stored on secure computers or servers located within the UK or European Economic Area. We may also store paper records in locked filing cabinets.

Our third-party data processors will also store your data on secure servers which may be situated inside or outside the European Economic Area. They may also store data in paper files.

How long do we retain your data?

We retain your data in line with our retention policy a summary is below:

• You and your child’s data, including registers are retained 3 years after your child no longer uses the setting, or until our next Ofsted, or childminder agency inspection after your child leaves our setting.
• Medication records and accident records are kept for longer according to legal requirements.
• Learning journeys are maintained by the setting and available at your request when your child leaves. Records are kept and archived in line with our data retention policy.
• In some cases (child protection or other support service referrals), we may need to keep your data longer, only if it is necessary to comply with legal requirements. We will only keep your data for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes it was collected for and in line with data protection laws.

Your rights with respect to your data

As a data subject, you have several rights. You can:

• request to access, amend or correct the personal data we hold about you and/or your child
• request that we delete or stop processing your and/or your child’s personal data, for example where the data is no longer necessary for the purposes of processing or where you wish to withdraw consent
• request that we transfer your and your child’s personal data to another person

If you wish to exercise any of these rights at any time please contact the manager at the setting by email, telephone or when you attend the setting.

How to ask questions about this notice

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about any aspect of this notice or how we handle your data please contact the manager at the setting.

How to contact the Information Commissioner Office (ICO)

If the manager is not able to address your concern, please contact [Insert details of setting manager’s line manager/owner/director/trustee]

If you are concerned about the way your data is handled and remain dissatisfied after raising your concern, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner Office (ICO). The ICO can be contacted at Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF or https://ico.org.uk/.

Changes to this notice

We keep this notice under regular review. Any changes to this notice will be shared with you so that you may be aware of how we always use your data.

Promoting inclusion, equality and diversity, this policy was adopted by Collingham Preschool on 8/9/25.

Aim

Collingham Preschool actively promotes inclusion, equality of opportunity and the valuing of diversity.

Objectives

We support the definition of inclusion as stated by the Early Childhood Forum:

‘Inclusion is the process of identifying, understanding and breaking down the barriers to participation and belonging.’

We interpret this as consisting of several tasks and processes in relation not only to children but also to parents and visitors in the setting. These tasks and processes include awareness and knowledge of relevant barriers to inclusion for those with a protected characteristic namely:

• disability
• gender reassignment
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sexual orientation
• sex (gender)
• age
• marriage or civil partnership (in relation to employment)

This includes unlawful behaviour towards people with protected characteristics. Unlawful behaviour being direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, associative discrimination, discrimination by perception, harassment, and victimisation (in addition, we are aware of the inequality that users facing socio-economic disadvantaged may also encounter). We will not tolerate behaviour from an adult which demonstrates dislike and prejudice towards groups and individuals living outside the UK (xenophobia). This also applies to the same behaviour towards specific groups of people and individuals who are British Citizens residing in the UK.

We promote understanding of discrimination - through training and staff development - the causes and effects of discrimination on both adults and children and the long- term impact of discrimination; the need to protect children from discrimination and ensure that early years practice is both accessible and inclusive; the need for relevant support to allow children to develop into confident adults with a strong positive self-identity.

• Developing practice that includes:
• Developing an environment which reflects the ‘kaleidoscope’ of factors that can provide settings with a myriad of influences and ideas for exploring and celebrating difference.
• Ensuring that barriers to inclusion are identified and removed or minimised wherever possible; for example, we complete 01.1b Access audit form.
• Understanding, supporting and promoting the importance of identity for all children and recognising that this comprises multiple facets which are shaped by a ‘kaleidoscope’ of factors including British values, ‘race’\ethnicity and culture, gender, difference of ability, social class, language, religion and belief, and family form and lifestyle, which combine uniquely in the identity of each individual; for example, we welcome and promote bi/multi-lingualism and the use of alternative communication formats such as sign language, and we promote gender equality while at the same time recognising the differences in play preferences and developmental timetables of girls and boys.
• Recognising that this ‘kaleidoscope’ also reflects negative images which may be internalised and negatively affect the development of self-concept, self-esteem, and confidence.
• Promoting a welcoming atmosphere that genuinely appreciate British values, different cultural and personal perspectives, without stereotyping and prejudicing cultures and traditions on raising children, by always involving parents.
• Promoting community cohesion and creating an environment that pre-empts acts of discrimination so that they do not arise.
• Recruitment of staff to reflect cultural and language diversity, staff with disability, and staff of both genders.
• Addressing discrimination as it occurs from children in a sensitive, age-appropriate manner to ensure that everyone involved understands the situation and are offered reassurance and support to achieve resolution.
• Challenging discriminatory behaviour from parents, staff or outside agencies or individuals that affect the well-being of children and the early years community.
• Creating an ethos within which staff work confidently within a culturally complex environment; learning when to change or adapt practice in the setting and having the confidence to challenge practice (including parental) that is not in the child’s best interest, seeking support and intervention from agencies where appropriate.
• Ensuring that educators work closely with the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) to make sure that the additional needs of all children are identified and met.
• We are aware of anti-discriminatory legislation and able to use it to shape the service and support parents and children against discrimination in the local community, for example, against asylum seekers, the Travelling community and same sex parents.
• We regularly monitor and review our practice including long-term preventative measures to ensure equality such as auditing of provision, formulating an equality plan, applying impact measurements and positive actions. In addition, short term measures such as recognition and assessment of children’s additional support needs (e.g. impairment, home language, family hardship, specific family beliefs and practices), day-to-day activities, provision of suitable support and resources, activity programme and curriculum., assessment, recognition of special educational needs and developing inclusive relationships.

Legal references

General Data Protection Regulation 2018

Children and Families Act 2014 Part 3

Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2015

Disability Equality Duty 2011

Equality Act 2010

Prevent Strategy 2015

Further guidance

Guide to the Equality Act and Good Practice (Alliance Publication)

Food safety and nutrition, this policy was adopted by Collingham Preschool on 8/9/25

Aim

Collingham Preschool is a suitable, clean, and safe place for children to be cared for, where they can grow and learn. We meet all statutory requirements for food safety and fulfil the criteria for meeting the relevant Early Years Foundation Stage Safeguarding and Welfare requirements.

Objectives

• We recognise that we have a corporate responsibility and duty of care for those who work in and receive a service from Collingham Preschool but individual employees and service users also have responsibility for ensuring their own safety as well as that of others. Risk assessment is the key means through which this is achieved.
• Procedure 01.3 Kitchen is followed for general hygiene and safety in food preparation areas.
• We provide nutritionally sound snacks which promote health and reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease that may begin in childhood.
• We ensure that children are supervised at mealtimes and that children are within sight and hearing of a member of staff at all times and where possible staff are sat facing children when eating to ensure they are eating in a way that prevents choking and so they can prevent food sharing and be aware of any unexpected allergic reactions.
• We follow the main advice on dietary guidelines and the legal requirements for identifying food allergens when planning snacks based on the four food groups:
• meat, fish, and protein alternatives
• milk and dairy products
• cereals and grains
• fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Following dietary guidelines to promote health also means taking account of guidelines to reduce risk of disease caused by unhealthy eating.
• Parents/carers share information about their children’s particular dietary needs and allergies with staff when they enrol their children and on an on-going basis with their key person. This information is shared with all staff who are involved in the care of the child.
• Collingham Preschool ensures that all staff are aware of the symptoms and treatments for allergies and anaphylaxis and the differences between allergies and intolerances which may develop at any time.
• Foods provided by the setting for children have any allergenic ingredients identified.
• Care is taken to ensure that children with food allergies and intolerances do not have contact with food products that they are allergic to.
• We notify Ofsted or the childminder agency (CMA if registered with a CMA) of any food poisoning affecting two or more children in our care as soon as possible and at least within 14 days.
• Risk assessments are conducted for each individual child who has a food allergy or specific dietary requirement.
• If a child chokes at mealtime and intervention is given. We record details of the incident and ensure that parents/carers are informed.

Legal references                                        

Regulation (EC) 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the hygiene of foodstuffs.

Food Information Regulations 2014

The Childcare Act 2006

Further guidance

Safer Food Better Business for Caterers (Food Standards Agency)

Paediatric Allergy Action Plans - BSACI

Food allergy - NHS

Anaphylaxis - NHS

Weaning - Start for Life - NHS

Help for early years providers : Food safety

Early Years Foundation Stage Nutrition Guidance (2025)

Allergy action plan

 

Complaints procedure for parents/carers and service users

There is a fair way of dealing with issues as they arise in an informal way, but parents/carers may wish to exercise their right to make a formal complaint. They are informed of the procedure to do this, and complaints are responded to in a timely way. The same procedures apply to agencies who may have a grievance or complaint.

 

Parents/carers

·       If a parent/carer is unhappy about any aspect of their child’s care or how they have been treated, this should be discussed with the child’s key person. The key person will listen to the parent/carer and acknowledge what they are unhappy about. The key person will offer an explanation and an apology if appropriate. The issue and how it was resolved is recorded in the child’s file and Complaint Investigation Record. The recording will also make clear whether the issue being raised relates to a concern about quality of the service or practice, or a complaint. For allegations relating to serious harm to a child caused by a member of staff or volunteer procedure 6.2 Allegations against staff, volunteers or agency staff will be followed.

If the parent/carer is not happy with the key person’s response or wishes to complain about the key person or any other member of staff, they will be directed to the setting manager. Some parents/carers will want to make a written complaint; others will prefer to make it verbally; in which case the setting manager writes down the key issues of the complaint using the Complaint Investigation Record and keeps it in the child’s file.

• The setting manager will investigate the complaint and provide time to feedback to the parent/carer within 28 days. A confidential written report of the investigation is kept in the child’s file if the complaint relates directly to a child.
• If the parent/carer is still not satisfied, or if the complaint is about the setting manager, the setting manager is asked to forward their complaint verbally or in writing to their line manager.
• If the parent/carer is still not satisfied, then they are entitled to appeal the outcome verbally or in writing to the setting manager’s line manager who will pass the matter on to owners/directors/trustees for further investigation and will respond to the parent/carer within a further 14 days.
• If the complainant believes that the matter has not been resolved and there has been a breach of the EYFS requirements they are entitled to make a complaint to Ofsted or the childminder agency. The manager will assist in any complaint investigation as well as in producing documentation that records the steps that were taken in response to the original complaint.
• The setting manager ensures that parents/carers know they can complain to Ofsted by telephone or in writing at any time as follows:

Applications, Regulatory and Contact (ARC) Team, Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD or telephone: 0300 123 1231

 

Other services

• If an individual from another service wishes to make a formal complaint about a member of staff or any practice of the setting, it should be made in writing to the setting manager.
• The complaint is acknowledged in writing within 10 days of receiving it.
• The setting manager investigates the matter and meets with the individual to discuss the matter further within 28 days of the complaint being received.
• An agreement needs to be reached to resolve the matter.
• If agreement is not reached, the complainant may write to the setting manager’s line manager, who acknowledges the complaint within 5 days and reports back within 14 days.
• If the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, they are entitled to appeal and are referred to the owners/directors/trustees.

Ofsted complaints record

• Legislation requires settings to keep a record of complaints and disclose these to Ofsted, or the childminder agency at inspection, or if requested by Ofsted, or the childminder agency at any other time.
• The record of complaints is a summative record only.
• A record of complaints will be kept for at least 3 years.
• In all cases where a complaint is upheld a review will be undertaken by the owners/directors/trustees to look for ways to improve practice where it is required.