Millie Moo's Preschool

Millie Moo's Preschool Heather House, Bicknor Road, MAIDSTONE, Kent, ME15 9PS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 June 2017 13 December 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

 Children's welfare and safety are compromised. The provider does not implement effective recruitment procedures, including maintaining the required checks and records to verify staff's suitability, or ensure this information is available for inspection.  The provider fails to fulfil the requirements of her role. She has not ensured previous actions to improve staff's supervision and practice, and to manage children's behaviour, have been addressed. Management and staff do not reflect on their safeguarding knowledge and practice to ensure they understand all aspects of child protection.  Staff do not have a secure understanding of children's dietary requirements to promote their good health effectively.  The provider does not ensure that the premises are fit for purpose and fails to take all reasonable steps to ensure staff and children are safe. She does not ensure risk assessments are carried out effectively, particularly outdoors, and when a potential

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This provision is inadequate

hazard is identified she is slow to take action to minimise it.  Observation and assessment systems are weak. Children's next steps in learning are not effectively monitored or planned for to help them make sufficient progress. Teaching is ineffective. Children do not make the progress of which they are capable.  Staff fail to keep parents informed about or involve them in their children's learning.

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It has the following strengths

 Children enjoy regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise.

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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

 implement effective recruitment systems to ensure that any person who has regular contact with children is suitable, which must include gaining an enhanced criminal records check in respect of each person, and ensure that information about the vetting processes completed is recorded 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that the provider develops a secure understanding of the early years foundation stage, particularly in regard to their role and responsibilities, and that all management and staff gain appropriate knowledge of the 'Prevent' duty 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 implement effective systems of professional development to support and train the manager and staff to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to improve the quality of teaching and to promote all aspects of children's learning consistently 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 devise an effective process to ensure that all staff are aware of any allergies or intolerances children may have and that staff follow these individual requirements closely 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 provide children with consistent guidance and age-appropriate explanations to help them learn to manage their behaviour 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 take all reasonable steps to identify and minimise all risks to children's safety, particularly in the outdoor play area 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that all required records are easily accessible and available for inspection at all times. 04/09/2017

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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

 gain a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements to monitor children's achievements effectively 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that parents are kept up to date about children's progress, and support them to be fully involved in their child's learning and development 04/09/2017

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Due Date

 use information gained from accurate observation and assessment processes to identify each child's next steps for learning and to plan suitably challenging activities to support their individual progress. 04/09/2017

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector held discussions with the person in charge and the deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation available.  The inspector spoke to parents and children, and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is ineffective. The provider does not reflect adequately on the quality of the provision. She does not ensure that staff check the premises are safe for children. For example, managers and staff did not recognise sharp, metal edging around the artificial grassed areas as hazardous to children. The provider does not follow robust recruitment procedures that include vetting checks. In addition, required records, including evidence of staff's Disclosure and Barring Service checks, are not available for inspection. Although staff know some of the signs a child might display if they are at risk of harm and what to do, they do not know about wider safeguarding issues relating to the 'Prevent' duty. The provider does not ensure that managers, deputies and all staff receive ongoing support for their professional development, to obtain the knowledge and skills to effectively promote children's learning and development. Staff do not know how to reflect on what they do to

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

improve outcomes for children. For example, the layout of the setting is not well planned to help children engage in activities. The lack of effective leadership and management for staff means the sessions are not adequately planned and fail to meet all the needs of the children attending. Parents' comments show they are happy with the provision. However, they are not supported to be involved in their children's learning or encouraged to provide information on their children's achievements at home. Parents receive insufficient information about their children's progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Children make insufficient progress in their learning due to weak teaching methods and the poor range of activities. For example, in the art and craft area there are not enough resources for children to be creative. Staff do not have a secure understanding of children's individual needs, interests or stage of development. Children do not have many opportunities to play meaningfully and with purpose. Observation, assessment and planning systems are not effective to ensure children make good progress in line with their capabilities. Gaps in children's learning are not recognised or closed. Staff do not extend children's language appropriately or challenge their thinking skills. Children are not being prepared effectively to be ready for school when the time comes.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The weaknesses in safeguarding practice have a detrimental effect on children's safety and well-being. The provider is ineffective in ensuring children's welfare. She sometimes leaves cover staff, who do not work regularly at the setting, in charge. Staff do not ensure children's continued good health. For example, there is no process to ensure they cater for children with dietary allergies and intolerances effectively. Staff give children their attention, but at times they fail to help children re-focus. Children's behaviour is not managed adequately, which was a weakness raised at the last inspection. Children become bored and lose concentration. For example, in a card-matching game, several children walk off and start to play fight. This disrupts the other children's learning and spoils their enjoyment. Children have some opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they play with sand and water, and use ride-on bicycles and cars.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Children do not develop confidence or acquire key skills that prepare them for future learning or starting school. Most children occupy themselves in play but any learning is unplanned. Not all children behave well and staff do not teach children that their actions affect the learning experiences of others. Children are not motivated or sufficiently challenged in their learning. They do not receive the support they need to make adequate progress.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY462979 Local authority Kent Inspection number 1101207 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 5 Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Julie Dawn Kairis

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 13 December 2016 Telephone number 07528597104

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reference number

Millie Moo's Preschool registered in 2013 and is located in Maidstone, Kent. The pre-school offers care on Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 12.30pm or 3.30pm, during term time only. There are seven staff, five of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications. This includes four staff with a qualification at level 2 or above and one member of staff who has early years professional status. The provider receives funding to provide free 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

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