Little Rascals Day Nursery

Little Rascals Day Nursery Little Rascals, 4 Rossgate, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3LG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 February 2018 5 October 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

 Since registration there have been persistent breaches to the requirements of the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. This has a significant impact on children’s well-being, learning and development.  Staffing arrangements are poor, and staff, in the toddler room, do not effectively risk assess hazards to children. Consequently, younger children are exposed to risks of harm.  The key person system is ineffective, and the organisation of daily routines, such as getting the children ready for a walk is chaotic. As a result, children persistently cry and their individual needs are not met.  The quality of teaching, including the assessment of children’s progress and the planning of purposeful activities is poor, and has not improved since the last inspection. Therefore children fail to make good progress.  Procedures to support children with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities are

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This provision is inadequate

not effective. This hinders children's progress and development.  Supervision arrangements of staff is inadequate. Staff receive minimal training and professional development to improve their practice.  Staff fail to consistently manage children's behaviour appropriately. Consequently, children do not understand what is expected of them.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are offered appropriate meals and snacks according to any special dietary requirements, food allergies and preferences.

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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

 take all reasonable steps to ensure children are not exposed to risk of harm 03/04/2018

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Due Date

 ensure staffing arrangements, and the organisation of routines meets the needs of all children 03/04/2018

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Due Date

 implement a suitable key-person system across the nursery, to build relationships with children and families and help to ensure that every child’s care and learning is tailored to their individual needs 03/04/2018

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Due Date

 ensure secure arrangements are in place to support children with special educational needs or disabilities 03/04/2018

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Due Date

 ensure effective arrangements are in place for the supervision of staff which identify performance issues and provide appropriate training 03/04/2018

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Due Date

 ensure children’s behaviour is managed appropriately. 03/04/2018

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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

 improve the quality of teaching and the planning of activities to ensure all children are consistently engaged in purposeful, challenging play. 03/04/2018

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Inspection activities

 The inspectors observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  One inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspectors held meetings with the provider and the nursery manager. They looked at relevant documentation, such as a range of policies and procedures, and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspectors considered the views of parents in discussion during the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The provider demonstrates a poor capacity to improve and provides inadequate provision for the children in her care. This is despite receiving ongoing support from the early years advisory team from the Local Authority. The arrangements for safeguarding are ineffective. Management and staff do not ensure the safety of the children in their care. Risk assessment is inadequate. On the day of the inspection staff were unaware that a young children was putting a piece of chalk in their mouth. Children, under the age of two, are currently being cared for in the same room as older children instead of their designated room. This is due to staff shortages. As a result, a young child was pushed over by an older child and bumped their face. This compromises children’s safety and well- being. The provider follows appropriate recruitment procedures and demonstrates that suitability checks are completed on adults and staff connected with the provision. All staff

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

complete mandatory child protection training. They are able to identify possible signs and symptoms of abuse, and know how to make a referral. Some members of staff hold early years qualifications. However, this is having minimal impact on the care provided and the quality of teaching. In particular, staff do not sufficiently challenge the children in their care. As a result, children fail to thrive and make progress in their learning and development. Recent staff changes also means that staff are still developing relationships with the children. Inadequate progress has been made since the last inspection to improve supervision arrangements. The manager is not given sufficient time to develop staff knowledge, understanding and teaching skills. Consequently, teaching across the nursery remains weak.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Breaches of the statutory requirements have a significant impact on children’s learning and development. The quality of teaching across the nursery is poor, and children are not well prepared for school or the next stage of their learning. Staff lack motivation, and fail to stimulate and engage the children’s interests and enjoyment. For example, staff provide painting and cutting activities, however, they ask mundane questions, which fail to challenge children’s developing skills. As a result, children quickly lose interest. They leave the activities and devise their own play and ideas. Staff fail to make regular observations and assessments of the children. Subsequently, they are unable to effectively plan next steps to support children’s individual developmental needs or help them to address any gaps in their learning in a timely manner. Arrangements for children with additional needs is weak. Staff fail to act quickly enough to seek the help and support for children with

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

additional needs, which consequently hinders their development and progress.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

The weaknesses in leadership and management and quality of teaching compromises children’s safety, welfare and development. The deployment of staff, and the implementation of the key person system is not effective across the nursery. Staff are moved between rooms to meet ratios rather than the children’s needs. The organisation of daily routines, such as getting ready for a walk, is chaotic. On the day of the inspection staff were unsure of their responsibilities. Young children were placed in their buggies, for a significant amount of time, before leaving the nursery building. As a result, one child became extremely upset, and staff failed to offer effective support and comfort. Therefore children’s emotional well-being is compromised. On the day of the inspection staff did not follow the nursery behaviour management policy, or implement procedures correctly. Staff raised their voice to a child and referred to children as being silly and smelly. This is

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

inappropriate behaviour from the staff and affects children's self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

The poor teaching practice over a prolonged period of time means children, including those with special educational needs or disabilities, do not make typical progress in relation to their starting points. Children lack motivation and are not effectively supported to develop the key skills they need for the next stage in their learning, including their eventual move to school. Breaches of the statutory requirements have a significant impact on the arrangements to support the learning and development of children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY498310 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 1123067 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 46 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Little Rascals Nursery Group Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 October 2017 Telephone number 01442 416999

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reference number

Little Rascals Day Nursery was registered under new ownership in 2016. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, 8 members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week between Christmas and New Year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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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