The Little Genius Academy

The Little Genius Academy Robins Nest, Great Bridge Street, West Bromwich, B70 0DE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 26 February 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 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 all staff have a secure and up-to-date knowledge of all safeguarding issues and indicators of concern, to keep children safe.  Staff do not know relevant information about the children in their care, including their medical conditions and dietary requirements. As a result, the quality of care that children receive at this nursery is poor.  Staff do not fully embed partnerships with parents. They do not develop a good two- way flow of information to help them meet individual children's care and learning needs.  The quality of teaching is weak. The provider does not support staff to precisely plan and monitor experiences for children, including for those children who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. Staff have limited opportunities to develop their knowledge to consistently support children to make good progress in their learning.  The provider has not established effective systems for observation and assessment.

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This provision is inadequate

Planning of activities to match the interests and needs of the children is not focused and purposeful. These weaknesses hinder children's progress.

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It has the following strengths

 Children develop some physical skills through activities, such as making marks with pencils and crayons.

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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

 improve staff's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, with particular regard to the wider issues surrounding child protection and the 'Prevent' duty guidance, to keep children safe from harm 10/04/2018

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Due Date

 record information from parents and carers about each child's dietary needs and ensure all staff are fully aware of any specific health and dietary requirements to effectively meet children's individual health needs 10/04/2018

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Due Date

 develop a good two-way flow of information sharing with parents and carers about children's care and development, to keep them fully informed and to meet children's needs consistently 10/04/2018

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Due Date

 implement effective arrangements to support children who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities in line with the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice 10/04/2018

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Due Date

 support staff to develop their knowledge and skills effectively and raise the quality of teaching to at least a good level 10/04/2018

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Due Date

 implement effective systems to observe and assess children's learning, and use this information to identify their individual needs, interests and stage of development, to plan purposeful, enjoyable and challenging experiences for each child. 10/04/2018

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Inspection activities

 The inspection was carried out as a result of the risk assessment process.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector held a meeting with the provider who is also the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff.  The inspector spoke to parents and carers during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The provider reflects on the service provided and has identified some weaknesses in the provision. However, she fails to undertake her full responsibilities effectively. As a result, a number of legal requirements are not met, which compromises the safety and welfare of children. Safeguarding is not effective. Not all staff have a sound understanding of child protection issues. They are not up to date with current legislation, such as the 'Prevent' duty guidance and how to keep children safe from extreme views and behaviours. The provider does not consistently record information about all children's dietary needs. Not all staff are aware of children's specific medical conditions. This poses a significant risk to children's health and welfare. Most staff are qualified and receive some supervision from the manager. However, they do not receive the support needed, to help them develop their skills and knowledge to raise the quality of teaching to a good enough level. The

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

provider does not swiftly identify or take sufficient action when children fail to make typical progress. Some suitable practice is in place to promote children's welfare. For example, sound recruitment procedures and on-going checks are in place to make sure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff deployment is effective and there are enough staff present to supervise children as they play.

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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. Although some observations and assessments of children's learning are in place, staff do not use the information effectively. They do not have a good enough understanding about what children already know and what they need to learn next. Staff do not ensure that activities offered are interesting enough to sustain children's interest and attention. Activities set out are often mundane and uninviting. Staff do not plan experiences precisely enough to promote learning for all children, including those who have SEN and/or disabilities. Some staff simply supervise children during the session and their interactions are limited. Staff do little to engage them in enjoyable, purposeful play. This limits the amount of progress children make in their learning and development.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Due to significant weaknesses in safeguarding practice, staff do not adequately protect children. Furthermore, due to weaknesses in teaching, children lack motivation to always play and learn. Partnerships with parents are not strong. Staff have not developed a successful two-way flow of sharing information. Children do not benefit from good continuity between the setting and home. Staff support children to follow the boundaries of the setting. Children behave well. Staff provide some opportunities to promote healthy lifestyles. For example, children benefit from daily fresh air in the outdoor area and enjoy nutritious snacks and meals. Staff provide some emotional support for children who are generally content as they play.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Children of all ages, including those who are in receipt of additional funding, are not prepared well for the next stage in their learning. They do not develop confidence in the key skills they need to be ready for their eventual move on to school. They sometimes struggle to become fully engaged in play and learning. The poor quality of teaching means that outcomes for children are limited.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538513 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 1126025 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 - 4 Total number of places 66 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person Baby Einsteins Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01215208288

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reference number

The Little Genius Academy first registered as Baby Einstein's Nursery in 2011. The nursery employs four members of staff, of whom, two hold qualifications at level 3 and one holds a qualification at level 2. The nursery is open Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The setting 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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