North Weald Pre School and Day Nursery

Barley Barn North Weald Rayley Lane, Epping, Essex, CM16 6AR

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 March 2016 Not applicable

p.1

3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Requires improvement

p.1

This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 Practitioners do not always plan successfully, in order to meet children's individual learning needs. Some experiences are poorly planned and do not offer children sufficient challenge. Others are too difficult and children have little chance of success.  Practitioners do not consistently set their teaching appropriately, in order to fully engage children in finding their own solutions to the difficulties they encounter.  Assessments lack the necessary rigour and detail to support practitioners and parents in offering children the very best learning opportunities.  Younger children do not always have enough to do and become bored during the periods of change in the routine, such as at mealtimes.  Managers have yet to embed the monitoring of practice and tracking of children's progress to ensure improvements are secured.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The relationships between children and the practitioners are secure. Children appear happy and settled in the nursery, and babies and toddlers receive cuddles when upset.  The oldest children's behaviour is good. They follow instructions well and listen to what is being said to them. Children work well together. If they have a problem with how others are behaving, they seek support from the practitioners.  Parents say they find practitioners friendly and easy to talk to. They are provided with information about children's care and daily play experiences.  New leaders and managers have taken rapid steps to address the weaknesses in safeguarding practice. There has been a concerted effort to improve hygiene practices, the safety of the environment, and to extend the range of quality resources.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

p.2

Due Date

 plan appropriate, challenging experiences for all children so that these help them to make good progress 05/04/2016

p.2

Due Date

 improve the quality of teaching to ensure practitioners consistently guide children and use their interests to further their progress 05/04/2016

p.2

Due Date

 improve assessment, ensuring that observations are evaluated appropriately and are used to plan activities and ongoing support. 05/04/2016

p.2

Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that the daily routine supports children to maintain their interest and engagement in learning  review the monitoring of the quality of teaching to ensure the planned improvements have a rapid and sustained positive impact on children's achievements and progress.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspection took place following a notification to Ofsted by the new provider of historical failure to report safeguarding concerns.  The inspectors observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspectors completed four joint observations with the acting nursery manager.  The inspectors held meetings with the current management team.  The inspectors looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability and qualifications of practitioners working in the nursery, safeguarding procedures and children's progress records.  The inspectors spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

The nursery has recently been taken over by a new provider. The new management team has quickly identified a number of significant issues and dealt with the most important issues rapidly and effectively. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Practitioners have completed the first of two-part training. They are clear about recording and reporting child protection concerns. The new provider's management team is aware of the weaknesses in the quality of teaching and in tracking children's progress. They have yet to coach practitioners in how to improve this. Training sessions on planning and assessment are booked and procedures for monitoring practice through more robust supervision are ready for implementation. A programme of training as part of professional development is available to all practitioners. Managers have informed parents about the changes. Parents expressed few concerns and any questions raised are being addressed.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Teaching is variable and children's learning is not always enhanced. The lack of precision in planning leads to difficulties with the organisation of the rooms. Children sometimes lack the opportunity to use the toys that interest them most or to have the support they need. This occurs when too many adult-led activities or the adherence to daily routines are given priority over children's learning. Children's play is valued and practitioners show interest in much of what children say and do. Children enjoy singing, sand play, craft activities and being imaginative. They benefit from some opportunities to continue activities. Practitioners try to include a broad range of experiences that helps children to achieve across all areas of learning. However, they are often poorly prepared without the necessary resources and are not sufficiently well matched to children's stages of development. The assessments of children's achievements are often mismatched and are

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

not used well enough to support them in making the best possible progress.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

The nursery environment is child-friendly and a refurbishment plan for the whole building is being implemented gradually. The first completed baby room is planned to open shortly. Children can reach the toys and furniture is of an appropriate size. A wealth of resources is being brought in to extend what is available and to improve the quality. Children follow appropriate hygiene routines during the day and practitioners know about their individual care needs. Children eat a healthy range of foods and help themselves to drinks during the day. Practitioners provide them with sufficient physical play and utilise the outdoor area regularly so children can play in the fresh air. The nursery has a small number of visitors who offer enhancement activities. Parents can sign their children up for activities, including sports, languages and music and movement.

p.3

Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are not yet making good progress. Practitioners focus on children learning to recognise and write their names, recognise letters and sounds, and count reliably from one to 10. They introduce children to group times where they sit together to talk, sing and enjoy stories. This helps to prepare children for school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY484442 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1040400 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 10 Total number of places 75 Number of children on roll 71 Name of provider AllGold Investments Ltd Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01992 522400

p.4

Setting details

Barley Barn North Weald was registered in 2015 and was acquired by Asquith Nurseries Limited in February 2016. The nursery employs 19 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6.30pm.

p.4

Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.4

Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Setting details

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5