Sweet Pea Nursery

Sweet Pea Nursery 1st Whittlesey Scouts, Inhams Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough, PE7 1TT

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Inspection dates

Previous inspection date 30 January 2017 - 31 January 2017 Not applicable

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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 Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider and staff do not have a secure understanding of safeguarding procedures. Policies relating to the use of mobile phones, cameras and electronic communication technology are not implemented effectively.  Staff do not always deploy themselves effectively to ensure children's safety, promote their emotional well-being and support their learning experiences. On occasions, incidents and accidents to children go unnoticed.  At times, the organisation of routines is poor. Children are kept waiting unnecessarily. They become restless and opportunities for learning are lost.  Children's learning needs are not consistently met. The provider has not implemented effective plans to develop staff skills and qualifications to address the weaknesses in practice.  Noise levels in the nursery are sometimes high, which adversely affects children's ability to concentrate and sustain their interest. The nursery environment does not support

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This provision is inadequate

children to make good progress in their learning.

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It has the following strengths

 The provider has made secure links with other providers, such as the local pre-school nursery, and with agencies that support children who need additional help. Parents indicate they are pleased with the nursery provision.

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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 staff understand and implement safeguarding procedures, including those relating to allegations against staff and for the use of mobile phones, cameras and other technology 20/02/2017

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Due Date

 ensure staff are effectively deployed at all times to meet the care and learning needs of all children and keep them safe 20/02/2017

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Due Date

 improve the monitoring of staff practice to ensure they have appropriate skills and knowledge to provide an effective learning environment and plan challenging and enjoyable experiences for each child 20/02/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that staff consider the individual needs of all children throughout the daily routines, minimising the risk of disruption to their learning. 20/02/2017

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Inspection activities

 This inspection was carried out as a result of the risk assessment process following information received by Ofsted.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She looked at some children's learning records and their daily diaries.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. She looked at the premises and the resources available to the children.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery owner, who is also the manager.  The inspector had discussions with the provider at convenient times during the inspection. She looked at relevant documentation, including evidence of the suitability of staff, accident and incident records and some policies and procedures.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views through written testimonials.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. The provider has not taken into account the risks to children of posting their names, images and sometimes their dates of birth, on her business social media page. She seeks permission from parents to post photographs. However, the provider has not secured the page, or made it clear to parents what the potential for harm is when photographs are shared with a wider audience. Staff use their personal mobile phones to take photographs of the children. These have some security measures, such as passcodes, to prevent unauthorised access. Nonetheless, the risk to children is not sufficiently minimised. Staff understand the signs of a child at risk of abuse or neglect and attend regular training. However, they are not clear about reporting procedures if an allegation is made against a member of staff. The provider has this knowledge, but in her absence staff lack guidance. The provider carries out regular supervision meetings with

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

staff and has a self-evaluation process. Despite this, she has not identified or addressed the shortcomings of the provision. Staff tell parents about children's accidents and incidents they have attended to and a record is kept. However, in some instances, accidents and incidents are not witnessed and therefore, parents are not fully informed. Staff have appropriate working relationships with other providers, including the local school. They work in partnership with other agencies, such as specialist teachers, in order to support children who have special educational needs. Parents indicate they are very pleased with the nursery provision.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff make regular observations of the children as they play. The provider carries out assessments so that she and her staff know where the children are in their development. Staff are not using what they know to plan effectively for the next steps in children's learning. They do not give enough thought to what they want children to learn when setting up the toys and equipment. Activities lack challenge and, at times, children are distracted and restless. However, some good teaching does take place. Staff engage children well in spontaneous activities. For example, older children and a member of staff have fun taking turns drawing and identifying shapes on a chalkboard. Small-group activities are enjoyable and attract some children. They sing along to familiar songs and take part in action games.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children are not adequately safeguarded. Staff do not consistently deploy themselves effectively to ensure that all children have the support they need. Children are not always purposefully engaged in play and, occasionally, demonstrate unsafe behaviour, such as swinging a toy around until it hits other children. Staff attend to such incidents and the accidents they witness. They reassure children appropriately and provide explanations to support safer play. However, at times the environment is noisy and disorganised, and staff do not always notice when children need help. Staff have a clear understanding of children's dietary needs. A reasonable selection of healthy foods is provided. Parents are informed about the meals and snacks their children eat. The lunchtime routines are not organised well to ensure that children get their food promptly or have suitable support while they are waiting.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Most children are making acceptable progress, given their starting points. However, their concentration is affected by the noise levels in the room. Activities are not always well suited to their individual interests, which affects their motivation to learn. Nevertheless, children develop the basic skills they need for school. They learn to manage some practical tasks, such as washing their hands and blowing their noses. They use their emerging writing skills to make Valentine cards. Daily walks into the local community develop children's understanding of the world around them. Children have some understanding of mathematical language. For example, they count their steps in the game of, What's the time Mr Wolf?

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY496267 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 1083153 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 24 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person Wendy Jane Whitwell

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07823 339492

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reference number

Sweet Pea Nursery was registered in 2015 and is privately owned. The nursery employs three members of childcare staff, none of whom have any childcare qualifications. The owner, who also manages the setting, holds a relevant qualification at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday and all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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

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