Furness Childcare

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Furness Childcare Ltd High Street Sawmills, High Street Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria LA14 1QY Our Reference EY239993

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Julie Morrison, monitored your provision on 17/09/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 27/06/2014, we sent you a notice to improve. If you were set actions at the inspection, or as a result of our subsequent monitoring or investigations, these are included at the end of this letter.

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Outcome of monitoring

During the monitoring visit, the inspector discussed with your manager the steps you have taken to address the actions raised in the notice to improve. The inspector looked at and discussed with your manager the setting's focused improvement plans and undertook a tour of the premises. She observed the space and resources that were available to children and how effectively identified risks have been minimised. The inspector viewed your records of risk assessment, relevant safety reports and discussed with staff their understanding of how to report identified risks. The inspector also spoke to staff to discuss their understanding of the action that has been taken, and the procedures implemented, following the previous inspection.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector spoke to your manager and staff to assess their understanding of their roles and responsibilities regarding changes that they need to notify to Ofsted and how they will do this. The inspector found that all staff spoken to and the manager have a secure understanding of the requirements for notifying Ofsted and are clear about whose role it is to do this. This helps to safeguard children and meet the legal requirements.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector observed that the level of resources and the learning environment throughout the nursery are improving, especially in the baby room and the outdoor area. For example, the baby room contains more sensory materials and in the outside area you have introduced number lines and a range of open-ended resources, such as drain pipes, which the children clearly enjoy using. The inspector found that you have made some progress in improving the learning environment in the room for two-year-olds. This includes purchasing new resources, reorganising the layout of the space and developing a cosy corner. In addition, your manager explained that you have put in to place a new, and more experienced room leader to continue to develop the room and better support children's learning. Your manager explained that this has resulted in children being better engaged in activities and is having a positive impact on children's behaviour. The inspector observed that

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Outcome of monitoring

children were adequately engaged in activities during the monitoring visit and that staff are beginning to use the resources adequately to support children's learning and capture their interest. However, there is still room to further develop the space and the resources, including how they are used by staff to better support children's learning. Your manager and staff recognise that this is an area which is still being developed and this is clearly highlighted in your focused improvement plan. For example, you have identified that you will complete a detailed audit of the current resources and provide further training for staff on how to use resources more effectively to support children's learning.

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Outcome of monitoring

Your manager and staff indicate that procedures for identifying risks and ensuring that these have been minimised have been reviewed, discussed and embedded in practice. For example, staff are now more vigilant in identifying risks and have a good understanding of how to report these to management, both verbally and through completing written risk assessment sheets. This means that the premises and equipment remain safe and suitable for children. In addition, the hazards relating to the trailing wires and the storage of outdoor equipment have been removed. Your manager explained that you have also had electrical checks completed and a written report to support this was seen during the monitoring visit. Your manager also explained that the baby room has been checked and there is no damp present. Overall, this means that children's safety has been improved. This also meets the requirements of the Childcare Register.

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Outcome of monitoring

The inspector found that you have welcomed support from your local authority who continue to work with you to provide training and help you to evaluate and develop your setting and practice. Your manager has worked closely alongside local authority advisors to develop a robust focused improvement plan, which includes the actions raised at the previous inspection and other areas identified for improvement. This is helping you to continue to make and sustain further improvements.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection. I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your setting. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that the management and staff fully understand their roles and responsibilities of when to notify Ofsted, especially of any changes to the use of the premises which may affect the space available to children and the quality of childcare available to them 14/07/2014 17/09/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve the resources and the learning environment throughout the nursery and across all areas of learning, to provide a more purposeful and challenging environment that meets children's needs, and activities that capture children's interest and encourage them to be inquisitive learners 14/07/2014 17/09/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

improve risk assessment procedures by ensuring that risks are removed or minimised in a timely manner, with particular reference to the training wires in the baby room and the storage of outdoor play equipment in the toilets 14/07/2014 17/09/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that all areas of the premises and equipment are fit for purpose, safe and suitable for all children. 14/07/2014 17/09/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any risks (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 14/07/2014 17/09/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 14/07/2014 17/09/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any risks (voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 14/07/2014 17/09/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare 14/07/2014 17/09/2014 (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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