Early Learners' Nursery School

Early Learners' Nursery School 78 Uppingham Road, Leicester, LE5 0QE

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20 March 2018 14 December 2015

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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

 Staff do not have a secure understanding of how to recognise if someone is at risk of being exposed to extreme views or radicalisation. This compromises children's safety.  The provider fails to ensure that risk assessments are implemented effectively. Staff do not identify potential hazards or take action to ensure children's safety at all times.  Hygiene is poor. Some resources are not clean and procedures to protect children's health are not followed. This compromises children's good health.  Staff working with younger children do not focus on the prime areas of learning that support their development effectively.  Some activities are not always organised well enough by staff to make sure all of the children taking part are fully engaged and benefit from these experiences. They do not effectively use the available area to provide a stimulating environment for children.

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It has the following strengths

 Parents report that they are pleased with the nursery and comment on how it has supported their children.  The management takes into account the views of staff and parents when evaluating their practice.

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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

 ensure all staff have a thorough understanding of the 'Prevent' duty to protect children from being drawn into radicalisation or be exposed to extreme views 02/04/2018

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Due Date

 take all reasonable steps so that children are not exposed to risk; complete risk assessments to identify all potential hazards and how these will be removed or minimised 02/04/2018

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Due Date

 improve hygiene practices to effectively promote children's good health 02/04/2018

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Due Date

 develop staff knowledge, with particular regard to those working with younger children, to focus and support them in the prime areas of learning 02/06/2018

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Due Date

 ensure all children experience enjoyable and engaging learning which is challenging, targeted to their individual needs and helps them to progress well. 02/06/2018

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Inspection activities

 The inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received by Ofsted about this provider.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working within the setting.  The inspector engaged in a joint observation with the deputy manager. She observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector considered the views of parents in discussions during the inspection.  The inspector sampled various documents, including risk assessments, a range of policies and procedures and the provider's evidence of self-evaluation.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

Safeguarding is not effective. Staff do not have a clear understanding of how to recognise and prevent children from being exposed to radicalisation or extremist views. Furthermore, systems to identify and address potential hazards to children are weak. On the day of the inspection, cords from portable electrical appliances on shelves were hanging down into the play areas where children were present. The inspector brought to the attention of staff that a child was at risk of pulling an appliance onto themselves. This lack of awareness compromises children's safety. Staff have a suitable knowledge of recognising some signs of potential abuse and how to escalate these concerns. Staff supervisions are used to help identify some training needs. For example, the manager identified that staff would benefit from support to engage children in story time, so organised training for staff to improve this aspect.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

Staff working with babies and younger children do not focus on the personal, social or communication areas of learning. This means that they are not effectively supported to acquire the key skills they need. For example, staff attempt to teach number recognition and reading skills to a very young child in preference to more appropriate skills. Some activities in the nursery are not planned well enough to take into account children's individual needs. For instance, some group activities last for extended periods of time and children become disengaged and wander off. Staff make observations of children's learning and use these to plan the next steps. Children's communication and language skills are suitably promoted. Sometimes, staff listen to their ideas and engage in meaningful conversations. For example, older children play with sand and pretend to make ice creams. They talk about the flavours they are making and their favourite foods. They

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is inadequate

count interlocking bricks, which helps their mathematical development. However, the overall quality of teaching is highly variable across the nursery.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Weaknesses in the leadership and management of the nursery mean children's welfare is compromised. Furthermore, staff do not make the best use of the environment. Children become bored during sessions as staff do not take into account their individual learning needs. Children's good health is compromised. On arrival at the nursery, the inspector noted that children share a dirty towel to dry their hands on after using the toilet. During the inspection, the provider replaced these with paper towels. However, this practice is not consistent and comprises children's physical well-being. In addition, the provider has not ensured that resources and soft furnishings are kept clean. For instance, the cushions in the toddler room are dirty and not well maintained.

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Outcomes for children are inadequate

Weaknesses in planning and teaching mean that all children do not make good enough progress. Children do not have enough opportunities to engage in meaningful learning. They do not display positive attitudes to learning as they are frequently bored. They are not well prepared for their next stage of learning or their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY410668 Local authority Leicester City Inspection number 1132740 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 50 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person L E Associates (UK) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 14 December 2015 Telephone number 0116 2763377

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reference number

Early Learners' Nursery School registered in 2010. There are nine members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 7pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, 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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