Synergy Kids

Synergy Kids Lake Forest House, Forest Road, Ilford, Essex, IG6 3HJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 January 2018 Not applicable

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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 Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The provider does not monitor the ongoing suitability of staff effectively. She has not made staff aware of the importance of declaring relevant information that may affect their ongoing suitability to work with children.  The provider does not maintain all required records, such as identity checks and vetting processes, and does not ensure they are easily available when necessary.  Risk assessments are not robust enough. Not all cars used to transport children are adequately insured. Staff do not always complete effective checks of the environment to minimise risks to children's safety.  Staff are not effectively deployed at times, especially during the time when schoolchildren are being picked up. This means there are not enough staff available to provide children with adequate support and to actively engage them in purposeful learning.  The manager does not have effective systems in place to supervise staff that ensure

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This provision is inadequate

their understanding and implementation of all the setting's policies and procedures.  Not all children attending the setting have the opportunity to access planned daily outdoor activities. This affects their all-round learning experiences, particularly those children who learn better outdoors.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff have established positive relationships with parents and other professionals. This helps to provide continuity in children's learning and tackle any gaps in their development.

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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:

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Due Date

 implement effective systems to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff, making sure that all staff know they must share any information that may affect their suitability to work with children, including disqualification by association 22/02/2018

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Due Date

 ensure all required staff records, such as identity checks and vetting processes, are maintained and easily accessible when required 22/02/2018

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Due Date

 ensure effective risk assessments are in place to identify potential safety hazards and take prompt action to remove or minimise any risks, including obtaining appropriate insurance for cars in which children are transported 22/02/2018

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Due Date

 ensure staff are deployed effectively to supervise children and keep them safe and to meet their learning and welfare needs, especially during busy times, such as the beginning of after-school care 22/02/2018

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Due Date

 develop systems for the supervision of staff to ensure they receive appropriate support and coaching so they are clear about their roles and responsibilities and can implement all policies and procedures effectively 22/02/2018

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Due Date

 ensure all children have daily access to planned outdoor activities, particularly babies, to provide an all-round learning environment that meets their individual needs. 22/02/2018

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Inspection activities

 The inspection was carried out following the risk assessment process.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager in the different rooms and evaluated the practice.  The inspector had a tour of the premises. She observed children playing and the interactions between the children and staff.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of staff working in the provision and sampled other documentation, including policies and procedures to safeguard children's welfare.  The inspector held meetings with the manager and provider. She also spoke to staff members during the inspection. The inspector took account of the views of parents through discussion.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is ineffective. The provider does not monitor staff's ongoing suitability for their roles. She has not informed staff that they must declare any changes that may affect their suitability, including becoming disqualified by association. However, she makes appropriate checks to assess staff's suitability to work with children during recruitment procedures, which includes obtaining Disclosure and Barring Service checks and verifying their identities. However, she does not keep an accurate record of her vetting procedures, such as identity checks, and fails to maintain staff records and make them available for inspection. The provider does not implement effective risk assessments. Staff do not always identify risks, such as when young children pull drawers out and can get their fingers stuck. Additionally, the provider has failed to ensure that all cars used to transport children are adequately insured. During busy periods, such as school pick-ups, staff are

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

not always deployed effectively and staff-to-child ratios are not maintained. This is due to the fact that staff are not always aware of their responsibilities. For example, they do not inform other staff when they leave the setting after bringing the schoolchildren back. The manager does not ensure all staff have appropriate support and supervision to reinforce their understanding of their roles and responsibilities. However, she monitors children's progress effectively and addresses any identified gaps swiftly. She works together with the parents and local authority to help improve the outcomes for all children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

The weakness in staff deployment affects the consistency of teaching and has a negative impact on children's learning experiences. For example, during busy times staff are not always available to support children to stay engaged in activities or be motivated to learn. However, staff use their observations to assess children regularly and plan activities that support their development. Most staff interact positively with children during planned activities. For example, at story time they help younger children to learn about animals and encourage them actively to make animal sounds. Older children recognise alphabet letters and develop their counting skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The weaknesses in safeguarding mean that children's welfare and safety cannot be assured. Also, not all children have regular access to planned outdoor activities. For example, on the day of inspection, babies had not been out for a week due to poor staff- to-child ratios. This affects their understanding of healthy lifestyles and does not promote their well-being, overall. Children behave well. Staff are positive role models and manage children's behaviour effectively. Children are happy and settle well. They form secure attachments with their key person and other staff. Parents express the view that their children are happy to come to the setting and that they find staff are welcoming and approachable.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Inconsistency in the quality of teaching means that not all children make enough progress in their learning and development. Generally, children are confident and sociable. Older children talk about the letters they trace in the sand and register their own attendance each day. Younger children are fascinated by the balls that run down a marble run and enjoy imitating the sounds different animals make. Children develop some of the skills they need to help them prepare for their eventual move to school, such as communication and early literacy skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY543185 Local authority Redbridge Inspection number 1121871 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 0 - 8 Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Synergy Kids LTD

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07951605854

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reference number

Synergy Kids registered in 2017. The setting is in Ilford, in the London Borough of Redbridge. The setting is open each weekday from 7am to 7.30pm for 51 weeks of the year. The setting also provides before- and after-school care from 7am to 8.30am and from 3.30pm to 7.30pm during term time, and offers care from 7am to 7.30pm during school holidays. The provider employs nine staff, one of whom holds qualified teaching status and five hold an appropriate qualification in childcare at level 3.

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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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