Springlands Day Nursery

Springlands Day Nursery The Baby Chalet, 185a Shrub End Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 4RG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 February 2017 6 November 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 Good 2

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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 has failed to inform Ofsted of changes, with specific regard to managers who are no longer associated with the nursery.  The provider does not have a secure knowledge of the action to be taken if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff.  The key-person system is not robust enough to ensure that each child's care and learning is consistently tailored to their individual needs.

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It has the following strengths

 Partnerships with parents are well established. Parents are encouraged to remain involved in their children's learning and development, both in the nursery and at home.  Staff support the language and communication skills of babies and young children effectively. They talk to the babies as they play and respond well to their babbles and gestures.  Staff have a secure understanding of the age group they are working with. They check children's progress regularly and identify the next steps in their learning. Babies and young children make good progress from their starting points.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 improve knowledge and understanding of the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff, in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance 28/02/2017

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Due Date

 make sure that the key-person system is effectively implemented so that children's individual needs are consistently met. 31/03/2017

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outside, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning and development.  The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager and the provider.  The inspector looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. She also talked with the provider about the nursery's self- evaluation.  The inspector looked at activity planning, records of children's learning and a selection of policies and other records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The provider has not notified Ofsted of changes with regard to when previous managers have left the nursery. Safeguarding is not effective. The provider does not follow Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures with regard to reporting allegations of abuse made against staff. Staff understand their responsibilities with regard to child protection and know how to report concerns. Parents state that they are very happy with the service provided and that their children are happy. Parents are confident to talk to staff about child-rearing issues, such as weaning and any concerns about their child's development. Staff have regular opportunities for one-to-one supervision meetings and professional development is supported. Management have weekly meetings where they discuss practice issues and identify areas for improvement. They seek the views of parents as part of their self-evaluation process. Management monitor the progress of children, as

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

individuals and as groups, such as boys and girls. This helps to ensure that any gaps in learning are quickly identified and managed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

A varied range of activities are provided that babies and young children readily choose from. Staff provide them with planned activities, such as play dough and cutters. They encourage children to explore and investigate the texture of the dough and introduce new words, such as squash as they flatten the dough. Staff recognise when children lose interest in an activity and readily move on to another. Interactions with children are of a good quality. Staff provide children with a running commentary about what they are doing and support their developing vocabulary. Babies who are walking develop their physical skills indoors where they kick and throw the soft, fabric bricks. They explore the garden readily, sitting on the wheeled toys and attempting to make them move.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weaknesses in the provider's knowledge of safeguarding means that the promotion of children's welfare is not effective. In addition, the key-person system is not fully successful. In the absence of a child's key person, staff are not aware of who is responsible for taking over the child's learning and development needs. Despite this, the staff based in the room are caring and responsive to the children. Children are encouraged to develop care and respect for each other. They readily give and accept hugs from each other and are reminded about being kind. Children learn about keeping themselves healthy, relevant to their age and level of understanding. They readily take themselves to the bathroom to have their hands washed before eating and attempt to use a flannel to clean their faces after meals.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are working within the expected range of development for their age. Staff help children develop the key skills needed to be ready for the next stage in their learning, such as moving on to nursery. Children develop the confidence to embrace new experiences. They are motivated learners who access the available toys and resources enthusiastically.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 403957 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1084344 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 1 Total number of places 15 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Catherine House

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 6 November 2014 Telephone number 01206545671

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reference number

Springlands Day Nursery was registered in 2001 and is one of two nurseries that are privately owned and sited in close proximity. This nursery, the Baby Chalet, employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 47 weeks of the year. Sessions are available between 7.30am to 6.30pm. Children move through to the main nursery building following their second birthday.

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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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