The Treehouse Nursery

The Treehouse Nursery The Tree House Childrens Centre, 251 Clapgate Lane, IPSWICH, IP3 0RH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 27 September 2017 6 January 2017

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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

 The provider does not ensure that the named deputy has a suitable understanding of her role and responsibilities so that she is capable to take charge of the nursery in the manager's absence.  The manager does not have effective arrangements in place for the supervision of staff to improve their practice and focus on strengthening the quality of teaching.  Staff do not consistently record information about all children's dietary needs. This compromises children's health and safety.  Children's good health is not promoted adequately. Staff do not minimise the risk of cross-infection or ensure that children follow appropriate hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of infection and germs.  Parents and carers are not kept informed about the food and drinks provided for their children.  The manager and her team do not use self-evaluation effectively to identify weaknesses in practice. Staff do not ensure that the learning environment provides challenging and

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This provision is inadequate

enjoyable experiences for all children. The quality of teaching is too variable. Staff do not consistently support children to make good progress in their learning.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff work with other professionals, such as the on-site children's centre to develop an understanding of children's individual care needs and provide suitable support.

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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

 ensure that the named deputy is capable to take charge of the nursery in the manager's absence 16/10/2017

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Due Date

 implement a regular programme for the supervision of staff to provide support, coaching and training and ensure that they understand their roles and responsibilities to raise the overall quality of teaching and practice 30/10/2017

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Due Date

 record information from parents and carers about each child's dietary needs 16/10/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that staff take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection and consistently promote children's good health 30/10/2017

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Due Date

 ensure that information is available to parents and carers about food and drink provided for children 16/10/2017

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Due Date

 improve the quality of teaching to ensure that all children are provided with purposeful and challenging learning experiences. 13/11/2017

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Due Date

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

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Due Date

 make better use of self-evaluation to prioritise areas for development, implement changes more effectively and improve the quality of teaching and outcomes for children.

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Inspection activities

 We carried out this inspection as a result of the risk assessment, following information we received about this provider.  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 completed a joint observation with the company area manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the area manager and had discussions with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is ineffective. Staff generally recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and know the appropriate action to take should they have a concern about a child. However, information about all children's dietary requirements and food allergies is not recorded so that staff are fully aware of every child's dietary needs. This poses a significant risk to children's health and welfare. In addition, information about food and drink provided for children is not made available to parents. The provider follows suitable recruitment and induction procedures. However, although the provider has assigned the role of deputy manager, he has not ensured that the staff member is confident to carry out this role in the manager's absence. Self-evaluation is not used effectively to accurately reflect on the provision, identify weaknesses in practice and prioritise areas for improvement. Staff's performance is not monitored sufficiently to identify training needs

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

and help to raise the quality of their practice and teaching skills.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

The quality of teaching is variable. Staff do not provide children with a stimulating and challenging learning environment. They do not ensure that the range of toys, resources and activities offered sustain children's interest and attention. As a result, some children's behaviour deteriorates. For instance, some children climb up onto a workbench and tip crayons and toys out of their baskets. Staff generally manage children's unwanted behaviour appropriately. They pick up items from the floor, however, they do not teach children to value and respect the resources available. Occasionally, staff's interaction with children is more positive. For example, they get down to the children's level and talk to them as they play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are not fully assured. Staff do not promote children's good health adequately. They do not take all necessary steps to minimise the risk of spreading infection. For example, staff do not ensure that all children have washed their hands before eating or ensure that crockery and cutlery are sufficiently clean for children to use. In addition, staff do not teach children about good hygiene and safety. For example, as children spread butter onto their crackers, staff do not teach them about using knives safely or about not putting licked knives back into the butter. Children enjoy being outside in the fresh air and are suitably occupied as they choose what they want to do. Staff supervise children adequately to help keep them safe as they play outdoors. Staff are appropriately deployed and attend to children's care needs.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

The progress that children make is not good enough due to variations in the quality of teaching. Some children's learning needs are not consistently met. Nevertheless, children happily get involved in activities and like to explore different materials, such as soil, water, paint, play dough and flour. Children acquire some basic skills to prepare them for the next stage in their learning and their eventual move on to school. They enjoy looking at books with staff, and listen to and follow instructions. Children have opportunities to develop their independence, such as when they pour their own drinks and serve their food at mealtimes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443320 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 1113920 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 93 Name of registered person Alpha Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 6 January 2017 Telephone number 01473274440

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reference number

The Treehouse Nursery registered in 2012. It is one of 20 settings run by Alpha Nurseries Limited. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff, a cook and a cleaner. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with early years professional status and one with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for 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

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

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