Interesting thread - and especially the OP.
You say your ofsted inspector said they were not detailed enough for outstanding - does this mean you have just had an inspection and did not get an outstanding because of your RA's?
Or was your last inspection a while ago and you are now reflecting on practice and making changes?
Or was it a local authourity advisor (whatever they are called in your area) who gave an OPINION on the risk assessments?
I am just interested as I do not do any of the 'detailed' RA's mentioned in this thread, in my everyday practice - I do use my own version of an annual RA based on the NCMA network one - and I have outstanding (and I know other forum members use a similar systen to me - and also have outstanding) - so wondering who it was who gave you this advice?
Of course there is nothing wrong with reflecting on your practice - in fact is a must - or implementing new systems IF they are going to work for your setting and help keep the children safe - however there is no 'set' way to RA - there is no requirement to fill in certain types of forms. The EYFS just says must carry out a full RA of setting at least once a year and must RA outings.
Ofsted do a fact sheet on the requirement for Risk Assessments - it might be worth reading it - if you have not already done so.
Those who have provided information about different RA's have found they work for them - so I suggest you look at all of them and then decide which of them (or which bits of them) you will use to create your own RA
The other thing to note is the current EYFS is being replaced and the last inspections based on it will be end July/ begin August 2012 with the revised EYFS being implemented in Sept 2012 - we know the requirement for RA's is changing - but until the final version of the revised EYFS is published (Spring 2012) NO ONE not even the DfE or Ofsted actually know what the requirement for RA will be.
Having said all that - if it was a Ofsted inspector who said that the NCMA RA's are not detailed enough - please do as Miffy suggests and let NCMA know - as they will take it up with Ofsted - and make changes if needed. However if was a LA person saying it - well that is just their opinion, you can of course tell NCMA but I don't think one persons view will change things.
Penny
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