Head Start Day Nursery

Head Start Day Nursery Headstart Nursery, 1e, Stocking Fen Road, Huntingdon, PE26 1SA

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 March 2017 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 Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

p.1

This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

p.1

This provision is inadequate

 The provider has failed to ensure that the premises were secure. As a result, a child was able to leave the premises unsupervised and was put at risk of significant harm.  Checks of the premises are not thorough enough to ensure that all risks to children have been minimised.  The quality of teaching is variable. Staff do not give enough thought to the planning of the activities to ensure they are tailored to individual children's learning needs.  At times, the noise levels in the room rise and children are distracted from their learning.  Staff miss opportunities to help children to develop their independence. They tend to do things for the children that they are capable of doing for themselves.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 Staff are warm and enthusiastic with the children and have good relationships with parents.

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 that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised 10/04/2017  take all reasonable steps to ensure the children being cared for are not exposed to risks 10/04/2017

p.2

Due Date

 raise the quality of teaching to ensure activities are precisely planned and take into account each child's learning needs, in order to improve the outcomes for all children 10/04/2017

p.2

Due Date

 ensure that the learning environment takes into account the individual needs of all children throughout the day, minimising the risk of distractions to their learning. 10/04/2017

p.2

Due Date

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

p.2

Due Date

 provide children with increased opportunities to build their confidence in carrying out simple, everyday tasks.

p.2

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 indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  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 manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. The provider has not taken sufficient steps to ensure the premises are secure. On one specific occasion, a child was able to leave the premises unsupervised at the start of the morning session. In addition to an unlocked gate, staff were not effectively deployed to oversee the arrival and departure of children and carers. The provider has subsequently taken prompt action to address the issues. While the child was safely retrieved in a very short time, there was potential for significant harm. Staff do not carry out rigorous enough checks of the garden to ensure all hazards are identified and removed before children go out. The new manager is beginning to implement secure systems to monitor and track children's development. She and her new team have regular supervision meetings with the provider to help them identify professional development opportunities. Self-evaluation is developing and parents have been asked for their views.

p.3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Links with local schools and other pre-school settings are being strengthened. All staff hold appropriate first-aid certificates so they can attend to any minor accidents to children. Staff have a suitable understanding of the possible signs of child abuse and understand how to refer any concerns about children's welfare.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Although staff are qualified and experienced, they do not always take account of children's abilities and interests when planning activities. For example, group activities are not tailored well enough to hold the interest of those children less able to sit and listen. While staff are attentive to the children as they play, they do not always remember to extend children's learning through focused conversation and effective questioning. Some activities led by staff are not prepared well enough to ensure all children take part and achieve the expected outcome. For example, staff set out an activity with shaving foam and marbling inks. When several children want to join in, staff do not have sufficient resources available. Children have to wait while more are found. Some lose interest and wander off. In spite of this, children do have enjoyable experiences. Staff are playful with them and are kind and welcoming. There are good opportunities for sharing stories and staff

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

encourage older children to practise their writing skills. Children benefit from sensory experiences, such as experimenting with coloured lights in the 'dark tent'. Parents are suitably informed about their children's activities and are encouraged to support their children's learning at home.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children's safety and welfare are not promoted effectively. Staff do not always ensure that children have consistent reminders of what is expected of them. Children playing boisterously indoors are reminded about playing quietly, but this is not followed up. Noise levels rise and children are distracted from their learning. Staff work well with parents to settle children into the nursery. They collect detailed information about children's individual care needs. Essential records, such as the register of children's attendance, accidents and the administration of medication, are carefully kept. Children benefit from healthy snacks. Staff support their understanding of good health as, for example, they have discussions about healthy foods. Children are helped to implement good hygiene routines. At times, staff do not enable children to demonstrate their independence and gain in confidence, which has an impact

p.3

Outcomes for children require improvement

Weaknesses in planning and teaching mean that some activities do not inspire or motivate children and therefore, they do not yet make good progress. However, children do gain some basic skills. This includes children in receipt of additional funding, and those who have special educational needs. Older children develop an understanding of sounds and letters and are keen to access books. All children take part in enjoyable yoga and gymnastic sessions, helping them to develop their physical coordination. Children are beginning to benefit from outings into their community. They have some opportunities to learn about each other's lifestyles and beliefs through photographs and group discussions. Children are not always enabled to carry out simple tasks for themselves, such as finding their own shoes and coats.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY499215 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 1086293 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 - 5 Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Head Start Ramsey Nursery Limited

p.5

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01487 710709

p.5

reference number

Head Start Day Nursery was re-registered in 2016 and is privately owned. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate qualification at level 5, two hold qualifications at level 3 and one at level 2. The nursery opens Monday to Friday all year round, with the exception of one week at Christmas. Opening times are 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

p.5

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.5

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.5

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.6

reference number

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

p.6

reference number

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

p.6