Holmwood House School Nursery

Holmwood House School Nursery 151 Coach Road, Great Horkesley, Colchester, Essex, CO6 4DY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 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 Good 2

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This provision is inadequate

 Staff fail to take swift action to safeguard children. Training provided to staff on how to respond to child protection issues has been ineffective. Children are not safe. The provider has not taken appropriate action to meet the Welfare Requirements Notices.  The provider has not notified Ofsted of significant events that affect the suitability of staff. The provider has a poor understanding of when to notify Ofsted of such concerns.  The provider has not followed the Local Safeguarding Board Procedures. They did not take appropriate action following concerns about the suitability of staff.  The provider’s supervision of the manager and staff is not effective. They do not ensure that staff are capable and confident to carry out their roles, with particular regard to child protection issues.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff support disabled children and those with special educational needs well. They liaise with outside agencies and implement focused support plans. As a result, children make good progress in their learning.  Staff provide a stimulating environment indoors and outside that promotes children’s independence, confidence and self-esteem.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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Due Date

 implement a safeguarding policy that takes account of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures and includes an explanation of the action to be taken where there are safeguarding concerns about a child or a member of staff 29/03/2018

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Due Date

 ensure the designated safeguarding person has a secure understanding of their role and responsibilities and that they provide effective support and accurate advice and guidance to all other staff 29/03/2018

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Due Date

 train all staff, including the manager, to understand the safeguarding policy and procedures so that they are able to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way 29/03/2018

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Due Date

 ensure that any concerns identified about a child's safety and or welfare are reported to agencies with statutory responsibility without delay 29/03/2018

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Due Date

 supervise staff, including the manager and designated safeguarding person, so that they are aware of the responsibilities of their roles 29/03/2018

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Due Date

 put steps in place so that the required information is shared with Ofsted, with particular regard to significant events that affect staff suitability 29/03/2018

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Inspection activities

 This was a joint inspection with the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), as commissioned by the Department for Education, following concerns raised from enforcement action taken by Ofsted.  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 nursery manager.  The inspector held meetings with the nursery manager, designated safeguarding person, the lead inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery’s self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff.  The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to a small 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 not effective. Staff report safeguarding concerns to the designated safeguarding person. However, action is not taken to protect children when these concerns are raised. Child protection training has been ineffective and children are at risk. The provider has only met one action in the Welfare Requirements Notices issued following a visit to the nursery on 21 November 2017 when concerns were raised about safeguarding procedures. Steps taken to meet the other actions have been ineffective. The provider failed to follow Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. They did not take the right action when there were concerns about staff's conduct. The provider also has a poor understanding of when they must tell Ofsted about these events. Some improvements have been made since the last visit. The manager now understands when to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service. Children's progress is tracked,

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

gaps in learning identified, and the manager ensures staff provide appropriate support. As a result, children make good progress in all areas of learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff get to know children well. They provide a stimulating environment that promotes children's curiosity. Staff have high expectations of children. They assess their progress and build on what children already know and can do. Challenging activities promote children's confidence and they are encouraged to try new things. Staff help them develop good speaking skills. They repeat words, maintain eye contact and sing with children throughout the day. Children do things for themselves, such as putting on their coats and choosing their snack. Staff form positive partnerships with parents to support children's learning. They share observations from the setting and special moments from home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Staff’s poor safeguarding practice does not keep children safe from harm. The provider’s failure to notify Ofsted of significant events affect children's welfare. However, children do form close attachments to their key person and other staff. They are good role models and children behave well. Staff use appropriate manners and encourage children to do the same. Children listen to instructions and learn to respect their peers. Staff encourage children to share and be considerate of others. Children have access to daily fresh air and physical exercise. They enjoy exploring in the garden and dancing to music.

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Outcomes for children are good

Learning and development is strong. Children make good progress from their starting points. They are well-prepared for the next stage in their development, such as learning to stand and walk. Staff help children develop good independence and social skills. Children delight in getting toys for their friends or helping staff. They are encouraged to develop their fine motor skills. For example, children learn to thread pipe cleaners through colanders. They have good language skills and can express their wants and needs to staff and their peers. Children learn about the world around them. They develop an understanding of daily routines, such as sitting down at the table when they see staff preparing snacks.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY362183 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1013714 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 53 Number of children on roll 108 Name of provider Holmwood House School Ltd Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01206273827

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Setting details

Holmwood House School Nursery was registered in 2007. The nursery employs 21 members of childcare staff. Of these, 19 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday for 47 weeks a year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports disabled children and those with special educational needs.

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Setting details

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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Setting details

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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Setting details

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Setting details

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Setting details

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