Top Corner Day Care

Top Corner Day Care Brambles Farm, Longlands Road, Middlesborough, TS3 8DS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 May 2017 12 April 2016

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Previous inspection: Requires Improvement

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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

 At the time of inspection, the nursery was operating for some parts of the day without a manager or a deputy manager on the premises. The provider had failed to appoint a deputy manager to take charge of the setting in the absence of the manager.  The provider has failed to ensure that the new manager, who is designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding, has attended the required training and gained sufficient knowledge to fulfil this role. The new manager does not know how to respond to safeguarding concerns or what to do if an allegation is made against staff.  Induction procedures are weak. The provider does not ensure new staff are secure in their knowledge of safeguarding procedures. Self-evaluation processes are ineffective and do not identify weaknesses in practice and the effects of these on children.  Teaching remains weak. Staff are not sufficiently responsive to children's individual

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This provision is inadequate

learning needs and preferences. Observations and assessments of children's learning are not accurate enough or used to plan for what each child needs to learn next. Children do not make the progress of which they are capable.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are encouraged to take responsibility and help with small tasks. This helps to promote their independence as they set the table for lunch and serve their own drinks.  Staff give children plenty of praise, which helps them to develop self-esteem.  Parents give regular feedback to nursery staff and are happy with the care provided.

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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

 ensure there is a named deputy who is capable and qualified to take charge of the nursery in the absence of the manager 06/06/2017

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Due Date

 ensure there is a person in charge on duty when children are attending, who has the appropriate experience and qualifications to manage the nursery 06/06/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that the procedures for induction of newly appointed staff are rigorous and confirm that staff knowledge of safeguarding procedures is sufficient for their role 06/06/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that the person with lead responsibility for safeguarding children has attended an appropriate training course, in line with guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board, that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to all signs of possible abuse and neglect 06/06/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation against staff is in line with guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board and is fully understood by all staff. 06/06/2017

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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

 improve the quality of teaching and ensure the educational programmes provided for children meet their individual needs, interests and stage of development and challenge their learning across all areas 06/06/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that observations and assessments are accurate and used to shape learning experiences that help every child to make good progress and prepare them for what they need to learn next. 06/06/2017

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the premises.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at documentation including evidence of suitability checks carried out on staff and other adults.  The inspector spoke to staff and children during the inspection. She also spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The provider has failed to ensure there is a capable and qualified person in charge of the nursery when children are attending. The new manager works half-day shifts and at the time of inspection, the provider failed to ensure there was a named deputy manager appointed to take charge in her absences. This seriously compromises children's safety and well-being. Safeguarding is ineffective. The manager received a brief induction to her role. However, this was insufficient because the provider did not ensure that the manager held sufficient knowledge about safeguarding procedures. The manager has not received adequate training to be the designated lead person for safeguarding. She does not have a secure understanding of the procedures to follow and is unable to respond swiftly and appropriately to concerns about a child's welfare. In addition, the manager is not familiar with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and does not know the

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

appropriate action to take if an allegation is made against a member of staff. Since her recent appointment, the manager has implemented action plans to improve some standards in the nursery. She has introduced cleaning routines and rotas to ensure the environment is kept clean and that hygiene requirements are met. She has assessed risks in all areas of the nursery to identify and eliminate hazards. Toys and equipment are appropriate and checked regularly. Access to the nursery is secure. Only authorised adults are admitted onto the premises and all visitors are supervised. The manager has systems in place to support and supervise staff. They have completed mandatory training courses and are beginning to identify areas for their professional development. The manager is beginning to evaluate practice. She acknowledges that educational programmes are weak and identifies this as a priority for development. However, the manager and staff are

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

unable to identify children's rates of progress and achievements, as arrangements for observations and assessment are ineffective and inaccurate.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Although staff are well qualified, they do not all demonstrate a good understanding of the different ways in which children learn. Some staff simply supervise children at their chosen play activity and their interactions are limited. Sometimes, staff do not identify when children are engaged or interested in activities and interrupt their play, insisting children stop what they are doing and pay attention to staff. This has a negative effect on children's learning experiences. Staff observe children at play and make some plans to support their learning. However, assessments are not used effectively and are, at times, inaccurate. Although staff have identified some children who are slower to develop key skills, they do not use what they know about the children to tailor their teaching and help them catch up in their learning. Staff support children to learn about numbers. For example, they encourage children to count and compare pieces of fruit at snack time.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's welfare is compromised significantly by breaches in safeguarding requirements and the lack of appropriate management. Children generally enjoy their time and appear settled and confident. However, weaknesses in teaching mean children do not engage deeply in their learning or develop high levels of motivation and curiosity. Staff are polite and respectful to each other and to children. They are aware of ways to promote children's good behaviour and children behave well. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise during outdoor activities. Staff prepare nutritious meals and discuss healthy eating with children. This helps to promote their physical well-being. Staff have developed relationships with schools. This generally helps to prepare children emotionally for when they start to attend school.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Children are not supported and challenged well enough to make sufficient progress in their learning. Some children achieve age-related expectations in their learning, despite weak teaching. However, many children are working below the expected range of development for their age. Those children who are slower to develop key skills are not supported effectively to help them catch up in their learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488077 Local authority Middlesbrough Inspection number 1097563 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 1 - 5 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person Top Corners Sports Day Care Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 April 2016 Telephone number 01642 230141

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reference number

Top Corner Day Nursery registered in 2014. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold an appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one at level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm on Wednesdays and Fridays and 8am until 6pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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