Small Talk Nurseries

Small Talk Nurseries 125-129 Shawsdale Road, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, B36 8NG

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 September 2016 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Inadequate 4

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

p.1

This provision is inadequate

 The manager has not ensured that there is always a person present who holds the required first-aid training. Therefore, there is not always someone available to respond in the event of an accident.  The provider does not ensure there is a named deputy who is able to take charge in the manager's absence.  The provider does not ensure that complaints are recorded and available for inspection.  Staff do not always use the information gathered from their observations and assessments to plan the next steps in children's learning.  Outdoor activities do not support all areas of children's learning and development.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 Staff develop good relationships with parents. They ensure that parents are fully informed about how children have spent their day.  Staff are kind, caring and respond well to children's individual emotional needs. This helps to promote children's confidence and well-being.

p.1

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:

p.2

Due Date

 ensure at least one person who has a current paediatric first-aid certificate is on the premises and available at all times when children are present 05/09/2016

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that there is a named deputy to take charge in the manager's absence 16/09/2016

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that complaints are recorded and available for inspection 05/09/2016  improve upon observation and assessment systems to help identify children's next steps for learning and use these to plan activities that support children's learning and development. 14/10/2016

p.2

Due Date

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

p.2

Due Date

 develop the planning of outdoor activities so that interesting and challenging play experiences are provided to help promote children's learning across all areas.

p.2

Inspection activities

 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 manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider and manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation, children's learning records and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a parent during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. This is because the manager has not ensured that there is always a person present who holds the required first-aid training. Furthermore, there is not always a named deputy available to take charge in the manager's absence. Records are not adequately maintained and details of complaints are not recorded and available for inspection. These breaches demonstrate a weakness in the provider's understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Staff demonstrate an adequate understanding of how to protect children from harm and abuse. All staff attend regular child protection training and are confident with the procedure to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. The manager ensures that the correct staff-to-child ratios are adhered to. The provider and manager are keen to make the required improvements. However, poor evaluation and monitoring have not identified

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

All staff are either qualified or working towards a qualification. Despite this, however, there are significant weaknesses in teaching. This is because information gained from assessment is not always used to plan activities to take into account children's next steps in learning. This means that children do not have opportunities to make good progress in all areas of learning. Outdoor play and learning opportunities are not well planned for. Children show great independence as they select from the good range of toys and resources indoors, however, this is not the case outdoors. This limits play opportunities for children who learn better outdoors.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's overall safety and welfare are compromised. This is because there is not always a person suitably trained to take action in the event of an accident. Nevertheless, children appear happy and enjoy the time they spend at nursery. They learn to make friendships with others. Children's healthy lifestyles are supported well. They are offered nutritious and well-balanced meals and snacks. Good hygiene routines are followed. Children are encouraged to be independent and to take care of their own care needs. For example, children confidently use the toilet, wash their own hands and put their shoes on ready for outdoor play. Children build strong bonds with their key person. For example, babies readily accept cuddles from their key person when feeling tired or upset. This promotes children's emotional well-being. Parents report that their children enjoy their time at nursery because they have fun and the staff are extremely welcoming.

p.3

Outcomes for children are inadequate

Children are not fully safeguarded as there are breaches of requirements that have a significant impact on their safety and well-being. Children, including those who receive funded education are not making as much progress as possible because their learning is not promoted well enough. They are not gaining sufficient skills they need to be ready for school.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY493609 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 1026973 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 1 - 11 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Rak Day Care Ltd

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 0121 776 7474

p.4

reference number

Small Talk Nurseries was registered in 2015. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, the manager has a BA (Honours) Degree in Childhood Studies and six staff hold early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.4

reference number

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

reference number

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

reference number

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

reference number

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

p.5

reference number

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

p.5