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Post by mel on Jun 27, 2007 19:51:19 GMT
Hi We have a large timber climbing frame in the garden which Ofsted questioned me about on my pre -reg visit. The woman thought it was probably too high for the u5's. Personally, my 3 year old plays very happily on it - but I obviously want to make sure I don't step out of line on this one. If a 4 year olds parents were happy with them playing on it under close supervision, would that be ok if I had written consent and had done risk assessment? Its not in an area that can be blocked off and my own 5 and 7 year old use it lots over the summer months. Has anyone else had a similar problem? I don't want to get slated at inspection. Thanks Mel
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Post by susi513 on Jun 28, 2007 10:28:32 GMT
One problem with Ofsted is that that one inspector might find a problem with something that another inspector doesn't look twice at!
You should be fine, if you have written permission from each parent and you don't allow them to play without being present to supervise.
Suggest you do an outdoor play/large equipment policy which states that a) babies and toddlers are not permitted to use the equipment until both you and the parent agree that their development has reached a stage that they can use it safely. b) you do not allow any child to use the equipment without written parental consent c) minded children are ALWAYS supervised when using the equipment. d) All equipment is regularly cleaned & checked for damage to ensure safety.
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Post by angeldelight on Jun 28, 2007 10:47:35 GMT
Hi Mel
I think Susi gave you some good advice I would do more or less the same
She is right too in saying about inspectors being different - one minder I know needed a cover over a drain on her pre- reg then when Ofsted came out for inspection they did not even look at that but picked her up about something else
Mad
Good luck
Angel xx
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Post by deeb66 on Jun 28, 2007 13:11:39 GMT
Hi Mel
I agree with Susi and Angel
Dee
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Post by ajs on Jun 28, 2007 13:34:33 GMT
hi mel i also have a large timber climbing frame, and as you can only access the top by going across a rope ladder ofsted were very shocked that i allowed any children to use it. my own children have been climbing on it for about 7 years and i have replaced the rope ladder at least 3 times but my garden has been marked on my report as an unsafe environment because of it. i highlighted to the inspector that i only allow the over 8 s on it and have written permission for them to use it plus that it is well maintained and much safer then a metal frame as it is concreted into the ground on very solid legs but she was not at all flexible in her opinion that it was unsafe, in mine it most definately isn't. she also stated that as i have two apple trees that my garden is a wasp hazard, not noting that every day we go out choose a totally organic apple learn that fruit grows on trees not in bags in asda etc then do maths by cutting it up discussing shapes etc. no it's a hazard. i couldn't believe her attitude
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Post by mel on Jun 28, 2007 16:56:10 GMT
Hi ajs, Did she alter your rating significantly because of it? I was thinking I would have to maybe make a wooden cover for the bottom three steps to stop them accessing it but then there is a climbing wall too so I'm stuffed really. Lets hope my inspector isn't that much of a nightmare!
Mel
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Post by deeb66 on Jun 28, 2007 17:12:34 GMT
Hi Mandy I can't believe her attitude either - as long as the frames are made safe and you supervise the children I can't see what the problem is As for the apple tree's how ridiculous!!! Dee
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Post by sarahnev707 on Jun 28, 2007 17:21:00 GMT
I had to remove my climbing frame because of height problems - if it's over 6ft high it has to have a drop zone with one foot deep bark around it - and I just couldn't do that to my garden! My letter about it was in a Practical Professional Childcare magazine earlier this year Sarahx
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Post by ajs on Jun 28, 2007 21:48:41 GMT
no luckily i was good all round but it could have affected my outcome and i would have been furious. i am not so vigilant about supervising the over 8s on the frame as they are infact all over 10 and if they fell there is hedge on one side and more frame on the other with swings and ladders hanging down. yes they could hurt themselves but if i am supervising the 10 + i can't be watching the little ones and i think the older ones have to learn some resposibility too. of course i didn't say that to ofsted. i tried arguing with her about the apples but she was adamant and kept saying she had to action something, but the way my report is worded sounds even to me like she thinks it's too dangerous to have children in my garden. and i hesitate to write this but in the 7 years that the frame has been up not one child has ever even grazed their knees on it, let alone fallen off it. watch this space now having written that i'll be in a and e tomorrow.
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Post by ajs on Jul 9, 2007 8:47:36 GMT
no trip to a and e luckily but the tree house has come down. my husband was climbing on it so we could get all of the toys off it and the platform had rotted with all of the rain, so saturday eve was spent knocking down my beautiful tree house, much to the delight of our nest door neighbours we think. and the disgust of our kids. now we just need to get rid of all the wood before ofsted come
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Post by angeldelight on Jul 9, 2007 9:00:56 GMT
What a shame about your tree house
It sounded lovely too
Think I would get hubby to build another haha
Angel xx
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Post by deeb66 on Jul 9, 2007 13:43:51 GMT
That is such a shame Mandy - as Angel said get hubby to build another!!
Dee
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Post by ajs on Jul 9, 2007 14:21:43 GMT
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Post by deeb66 on Jul 10, 2007 13:24:20 GMT
Tell him tough luck you and kids want trampoline and tree house and he out numbered - lol!!!!!!
Dee
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Post by daisychainminder on Jul 17, 2007 18:31:56 GMT
you can buy the rubber safety mats in toys r us (they let the grass grow through)which would allow an impact absorbtion area around our local preschool has them (they areĀ£12ish i think) might help with making it safer
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Post by angeldelight on Jul 17, 2007 21:54:18 GMT
Oh I was looking for those sort of mats the other day does any one know what they are called
Have any of you seen them anywhere apart from toys r us - ours in Birmingham has closed down
Angel xx
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Post by mel on Jul 18, 2007 7:44:14 GMT
I'm sure I have seen them in Argos at some point but not sure whether they have them currently.
Mel x
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Post by angeldelight on Jul 18, 2007 8:19:32 GMT
I have looked Mel can not see them !
Angel xx
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Post by daisychainminder on Jul 19, 2007 13:08:45 GMT
i think ive seen them on ebay before don,t know how much though
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Post by mel on Jul 20, 2007 16:26:18 GMT
I've definitely seen them somewhere - I'll have a dig through my stuff. Mel x
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