The Little Genius Academy

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

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Inspection date 1 August 2018 Previous inspection date 26 February 2018

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3

Effectiveness of leadership and management Requires improvement

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3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement

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3

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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The provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

n Risk assessments are not rigorous enough. The provider does not take appropriate measures to minimise potential hazards and to ensure resources are always suitable for use with children. n The quality of teaching is variable. Some staff do not have a good understanding of how to help all children to learn. They do not provide learning experiences that are stimulating enough. Furthermore, staff do not provide sufficient challenge to support children's further learning. n The monitoring of staff's practice is not rigorous enough. The provider does not help staff to achieve a good level of improvement in their practice, so that all children make good progress.

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It has the following strengths

n Children are generally well behaved. They respond positively to reminders from staff to follow the rules of the setting. Overall, the interaction between staff and children are positive throughout all activities and routines. n The provider maintains regular communication with parents, and she invites feedback about the children's learning and parents' views of the provision.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure risk assessments are rigorous and take prompt action to minimise or remove potential hazards so that fire exits are consistently free from obstruction, and provide resources that are suitable for use with children 13/08/2018

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

provide stimulating, challenges activities that support children to effectively meet each child's individual learning needs. 20/08/2018

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n strengthen the monitoring of practice to raise the quality, including teaching to a higher level.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector had a tour of the premises and discussed risk assessments with the manager. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during indoors and outdoors activities, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons working in the nursery. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and discussed the self-evaluation process. She spoke with staff and children at convenient times. n The inspector spoke with parents and read written feedback from other parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. The provider and staff have a clear understanding of the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child in their care. Staff have a sound knowledge of wider safeguarding issues, such as 'Prevent' duty. However, the provider does not implement effective risk assessments. She does not ensure fire exits are consistently free from obstruction and that equipment for outside play is thoroughly checked before children are allowed to use these. Therefore, children's welfare is not fully promoted. Since the last inspection, the provider has taken steps to address weaknesses in the setting. For example, staff have attended training and she provides guidance for staff in their practice. However, the monitoring of staff's practice, including teaching is not yet strong. Consequently, children are not receiving the support they need to attain high levels of learning. The provider has regular discussions with

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Effectiveness of leadership and management requires improvement

parents who comment that they are happy with the care of their children, including their increased confidence.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Although staff plan for children's learning, they do not use effective teaching methods to help children learn. In some instances, the quality of teaching is mundane. For example, staff do not demonstrate skills, such as cutting, to help pre-school children develop an awareness of what is required of them. Furthermore, some staff do not use questioning effectively and miss opportunities to promote children's thinking skills. Nevertheless, other staff support the learning of younger children appropriately, such as through imaginative activities and they use resources well to engage children. Staff carry out regular observations of children's play and they use information from their assessments to plan for the next steps in children's learning. Owing to weaknesses in teaching, children's individual learning needs are not fully met.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children do not receive consistently good levels of care. Owing to inconsistencies in teaching, children are not developing the range of skills they need in preparation for school. Nevertheless, children benefit from healthy foods, such as freshly prepared, balanced meals. They learn about healthy options and eat fresh fruit for snacks. Children drink water regularly throughout the day. Children sleep as part of the daily routine. They have opportunities to play out in the fresh air and enjoy riding on wheeled toys. Overall, staff interact well with children and praise them for effort and achievements. Children learn to share and take turns during activities.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Not all groups of children make good enough progress from their starting points. However, they are developing some of the skills they need for the next stage in their learning in preparation for school. Children enjoy listening to stories and they make marks and draw pictures of relatives. Children are developing some independence as they attempt to put on their own shoes before outside play.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY538513 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 10056981 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 4 - 4 Total number of places 66 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Baby Einsteins Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 February 2018 Telephone number 01215208288

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reference number

The Little Genius Academy first registered in 2011. The nursery employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds a relevant qualification at level 6, one at level 3 and one 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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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