Petals Child Care Centre

Petals Child Care Centre Petals Child Care Centre, Warren Grove, BOREHAMWOOD, Hertfordshire, WD6 2QU

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 May 2016 6 September 2013

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider does not ensure that all the equipment used for the purposes of childcare is clean and well maintained. Effective measures are not in place to ensure food is effectively stored or that recommended guidance is followed to ensure it is safe to use.  Staff do not have sufficient knowledge of child protection procedures, therefore, they cannot promote children's welfare. They lack an understanding of the correct procedures to follow as part of robust safeguarding measures.  The provider is not aware of the requirement to maintain an accurate record of children's hours of attendance.  Staff do not manage children's behaviour appropriately. As a result, there are times when children's behaviour is disruptive and they are not learning effectively.  The provider does not monitor the quality of staff practice well enough, in order to identify what needs to improve. As a result, children are not provided with enjoyable

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This provision is inadequate

and challenging experiences to meet their individual learning needs.  The key-person system is ineffective. There is no provision made to accommodate staff absence and ensure that those staff working with children have a clear understanding of their role in promoting children's individual care and learning needs.

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It has the following strengths

 The provider has worked hard to build a successful partnership with parents. They comment on the valuable information they receive through diaries and newsletters, enabling them to talk to children about their day and extend their learning at home.  Children have many opportunities to take part in outdoor activities. They vigorously pedal wheeled bikes to race friends and freely move tyres and crates to use in their play. This helps to promote their physical development.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 ensure that the equipment used for the purposes of childcare are safe and suitable and comply with requirements of health and safety legislation 23/05/2016

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Due Date

 ensure suitable facilities are available for the hygienic preparation of food and that the provider is confident that staff preparing and handing food are competent to do so 23/05/2016

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Due Date

 ensure all staff have a knowledge of safeguarding issues and receive training that enables them to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity 09/06/2016

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Due Date

 implement effective strategies to manage children's behaviour in an appropriate way 09/06/2016

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Due Date

 keep a daily record of the hours of attendance for children looked after on the premises and retain these for a period of two years 09/05/2016

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Due Date

 improve the effectiveness of staff supervision to provide training opportunities and coaching for staff to ensure they offer quality teaching and promote a shared approach to continuous improvement 09/06/2016

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Due Date

 make better use of planning to engage children more effectively in their learning and provide a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child, so that they make good progress in their learning and development 09/06/2016

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Due Date

 ensure that the key-person system is effective in meeting children's individual care and learning needs consistently, and includes appropriate arrangements for covering staff absences. 09/06/2016

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Inspection activities

 This inspection was carried out as a result of concerns raised from an outside agency.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the provider. She held a telephone conversation with the early years adviser and spoke to all members of staff.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider and the director. She looked at relevant documentation, such as, the centre's self-evaluation form, policies, children's learning journals and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the centre.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective. Some staff have limited understanding of relevant child protection procedures. They are not alert to the known indicators that a child may be at risk of harm. This means that staff are not able to respond to safeguarding issues in a timely or appropriate way. The provider has taken some action to comply with the minimum food safety requirements. She has organised a deep clean of the environment and provided training on safe hygiene practice for all staff involved in the preparation of food and drink. The provider has implemented detailed weekly and daily cleaning schedules. However, on the day of inspection, dirt and remnants of loose cheese were evident in the fridge and spilled liquid had congealed beneath drawers. Ham was left in an open packet indicating an expired use-by date. The freezer was iced up and dirty inside. This demonstrates that these systems are not robustly followed to ensure all

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

equipment to store food and drink is clean or that the preparation of food is effectively managed to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. The provider reviews the quality of staff practice and children's progress. However, the information gained is not yet used to effectively improve teaching, drive improvement and provide staff training to promote children's welfare. The provider does not accurately record the hours that children attend.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Educational programmes do not provide children with adequate challenge or meet their individual learning needs. The provider devises plans to include children's interests and their next steps in learning. However, key staff do not take account of these or get to know the children that they work with. This is especially evident when the more qualified key persons are absent. No alternative provision is put in place to share relevant information, in order to support children's daily experiences or meet their individual learning needs. Teaching is inconsistent. Some children wander among the activities and receive minimal interaction for the entire session that they attend. Children enjoy a parachute game outdoors and move in a range of ways. However, staff do not adapt their practice to encourage the participation of quieter children who show an interest.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's behaviour is not managed consistently. Staff do not use effective strategies or offer clear, concise explanations to children. Action taken to address this area of weakness, such as introducing golden rules, has been ineffective. This is evident as children are regularly observed disrupting other children's play, shouting or hitting out at staff. This leads to a chaotic environment that hinders children's emotional development, safety and their capacity to learn. At times, children cover their ears or become distressed by the physical actions of others. Some staff have developed suitable attachments with children as they are able to provide comfort at these times. Children demonstrate some levels of independence as they pour their own drinks and choose appropriate outdoor clothing.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Some children receive poor learning experiences and do not make enough progress from their starting points to prepare them for future learning. They are beginning to fall below expected levels of development. Older children who attend after school enjoy a range of interactive games. Staff understand the importance of working with the local schools to promote continuity. They provide some quiet time for completion of homework and support older children with current school projects. Children know their colours, have competent cutting skills and begin to develop pencil control through the use of stencils.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443937 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1050196 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 2 - 9 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 50 Name of provider The Childcare & First Aid Company Ltd Date of previous inspection 6 September 2013 Telephone number 0208 207 0286

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Setting details

Petals Child Care Centre was registered in 2012 and is privately owned. The centre employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. During term time it is open Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 9am until midday and from midday until 3pm. A breakfast club operates from 7.30am until 9am and an after-school club from 3pm until 6pm. During main school holidays a playscheme runs from 8am until 6pm. The centre provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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.

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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.

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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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