Birch Farm Complex Day Care Nursery

Birch Farm Complex Day Care Nursery Birch Farm, Silver Hill, Hintlesham, IPSWICH, IP8 3NJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 December 2016 27 October 2014

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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 the premises and resources are fit for purpose and suitable for children. Some of the flooring in areas used by children is in a condition that poses a tripping hazard. Some toys are not clean or in working order.  The performance of staff is not managed well. There is no programme of regular supervision for all staff, to effectively manage their performance and practice.  Staff are not deployed effectively, particularly at the beginning of the day when children arrive and need their key person to help them to settle.  The key-person system is not implemented consistently across the nursery, to ensure that each child's care is tailored to their individual needs.  Staff do not check the achievements of all children frequently enough, to ensure that they are making the expected progress for their age.  Staff do not provide a stimulating and welcoming environment where children develop

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This provision is inadequate

self-esteem and pride in their achievements.  Management does not yet identify or monitor gaps in the attainment of groups of children so that steps can be taken to close them.  Staff do not pronounce the initial sounds in words correctly when supporting children's developing awareness of the sounds represented by letters of the alphabet.

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It has the following strengths

 Children who have special educational needs or disabilities are supported well. The member of staff responsible for supporting these children is knowledgeable.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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Due Date

 take immediate action to remove or reduce hazards to children, with particular regard to unsafe flooring and the cleanliness of toys 06/01/2017

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Due Date

 implement a regular and effective programme of supervision for all staff, to effectively manage their performance and practice issues 06/01/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that staff are deployed effectively to meet children's individual needs at all times 06/01/2017

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Due Date

 implement a suitable key-person system across the nursery, to build relationships with children and families and help ensure that every child's care and learning is tailored to their individual needs. 06/01/2017

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Due Date

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage the provider must:

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Due Date

 use the information gained from observation of children's achievements, to ensure that they are making the expected progress for their age across the areas of learning. 06/01/2017

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 provide a stimulating and welcoming environment where children are able to develop self-esteem and pride in their achievements  put in place systems for tracking different groups of children, so that any gaps in learning can be identified and managed at the earliest opportunity  pronounce the initial sounds in words when supporting children's developing literacy skills.

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Inspection activities

 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about this provider.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery owner who is also the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery owner.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector discussed with the manager the self-evaluation processes.  The inspector looked at activity planning, records of children's learning and a selection of policies and other records.  The inspector spoke to a small number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Management does not demonstrate the capacity to continuously improve the quality of the provision. Despite making progress following previous inspections, these improvements have not been sustained. Safeguarding is not effective. Some of the areas used by children pose a tripping hazard. For example, the joints in the flooring are raised in places in the baby room and the joining strip between the different floor levels in the pre-school room is uneven. In addition, some toys and resources available to children are not in a clean condition. Some battery operated toys do not work. Despite this, staff do have a satisfactory awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and know how to report concerns. Management has implemented a mandatory training programme for all staff. However, not all staff have regular opportunity for one-to-one supervision meetings, to discuss training needs and practice issues. The manager does not monitor the progress of

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

groups of children. They do not know if there are gaps in the achievements between different groups of children in order that appropriate interventions can be made.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

The checking of children's progress is not frequent enough to identify if they are making the expected progress across all areas of learning. However, staff do provide children with a varied range of toys and activities that they enjoy. They observe children as they play and evaluate their observations to identify their next steps. Staff are actively engaged in the children's play. Some teaching is good and children enjoy their interactions with the staff. Although staff do not always pronounce initial sounds correctly, children understand that print carries meaning and are developing an awareness of initial letters. They readily suggest Christmas words that begin with initial letters, such as 'angel' when thinking about words that begin with 'A'. Parents are kept well informed about the nursery and their children's progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Staff are not deployed effectively, to meet children's individual needs. Staff move between rooms, particularly at the beginning of the day when children arrive and often need the emotional security of being greeted by their key person. The key-person system is not consistently applied across the nursery. This is particularly evident in the Foxes room where there has been a recent change of staffing which has resulted in children being cared for by staff who do not know them well. Staff do not pay sufficient attention to the physical environment to support children's sense of belonging across the nursery. For example, there are very few displays of children's art work. Most children do develop secure emotional attachments to their key person and readily go to them for cuddles and support with activities. Children behave well. They respond positively to the expectations from staff. They play well together and have regard for each other's needs and feelings.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Weaknesses in the checking of children's progress mean that staff do not have accurate information to support them in helping children to make good progress. Despite this, children do develop some key skills needed for school. For example, they put on their own coat before going outdoors and take part in physical education activities where they learn to dress and undress independently. They enjoy looking at books and listening to stories.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY458685 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 1079581 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 100 Number of children on roll 178 Name of registered person Birch Farm Complex Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 October 2014 Telephone number 01473652152

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reference number

Birch Farm Complex Day Care Nursery was registered in 2013. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff, including the owner, who is also the manager. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including the owner who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Opening times are from 7.30am to 6.30pm. The nursery also runs a holiday playscheme for children up to 10 years of age. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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.

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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.

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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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