Messy Memories

Inspection of Messy Memories 3 Clifton Street, Bilston WV14 9EY

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders do not have a good enough understanding of requirements. Safety and learning for children are not fully assured. Leaders complete appropriate checks to ensure suitability of all staff. However, the induction of staff is weak and they are not deployed effectively. New members of staff do not have a thorough understanding of how to assess children's progress and support their development further.

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The provision is inadequate

The quality of teaching is variable. Leaders do not have high expectations of what children can achieve. For example, older children do not follow simple instructions at all times. Staff sing songs and read stories together with children. As a result, children are developing some language skills. That said, they are not challenged in their play, and often lose interest during adult-led activities.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Parents speak well about the nursery. They report that staff share information about children's daily activities and care routines. Children develop positive bonds with staff and are keen learners. They confidently approach visitors and talk about their play. However, staff fail to share key information with parents, for example who the key persons are for some of the children. As a result, children's individual needs are not fully met at all times.

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need to do better?

n Staff do not plan the activities and routines well enough throughout the day to ensure that children have enough time to engage in activities. As a result, at times, children lose interest. n The furniture is not arranged suitably. For example, children climb onto chairs to get to the sink. This creates a risk of falling and injury. n Leaders and managers do not ensure safety of children. For example, the fire exit is blocked with highchairs. As a result, in the event of fire, babies would not be evacuated quickly enough from the building. n Leaders and managers do not appropriately deploy staff. As a result, children's learning experiences are variable. Staff are not always able to further stretch children's learning. n The manager does not monitor staff practices well enough. As a result, the quality of teaching is not at a high standard. Staff are not aware of what to do should they identify a child at risk of harm or if an allegation was made against a

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need to do better?

member of staff. n Leaders do not demonstrate good management of the setting. Medication records are not kept up to date. For example, staff do not always keep a record of medication given to children. n The key-person system is weak. Key persons do not fully understand when to

p.2

need to do better?

25 October 2019 complete the required checks for children aged between two and three years. As a result, children's individual needs are not identified and met effectively. n Children show interest in activities provided. They look at pumpkins and autumn leaves in a tray with magnifying glasses. They learn about different celebrations and cultures. For example, staff introduce different cultures and countries through displays and stories. Children taste food from different countries. n Staff support physical development. Babies learn to take first steps using 'push' walkers and older children take part in yoga in the mornings. n Staff promote good hygiene. Children wash their hands independently before meals. n All children, including those with special educational needs, make some progress from their starting points. That said, staff's knowledge is inconsistent. Therefore, the quality of teaching is variable.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders have not taken appropriate steps to ensure that all staff have a secure understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures. Staff have completed training on a variety of safeguarding topics. However, they are unsure who to contact when concerns are identified or how to report allegations against staff. As a result, in the event of allegation being made, they would not be able to act in an appropriate and timely manner.

p.3

Due date

ensure staff have a robust knowledge and understanding of the setting's safeguarding policies and procedures, including procedures to report allegations against a member of staff, to promote children's safety and welfare fully 25/11/2019

p.3

Due date

implement effective arrangements for supervision and monitoring of all staff, and provide support and training to ensure they are confident and are able to meet their roles and responsibilities fully 25/11/2019

p.3

Due date

25 October 2019 ensure that all fire exits are clearly identifiable and free from obstruction at all times 25/11/2019

p.3

Due date

ensure staff are deployed effectively in order to meet the needs of children's care and learning, and fully promote their welfare 25/11/2019

p.4

Due date

implement an effective key-person system and improve information sharing with parents to ensure children's needs can be fully met 25/11/2019

p.4

Due date

implement rigorous risk assessments and remove any hazards, to ensure children play and learn in a safe environment 25/11/2019

p.4

Due date

ensure staff plan activities that are engaging and challenging, and that meet children's individual needs. 25/11/2019

p.4

should:

n ensure space arrangements in the playrooms are suitable and safe for the age of children and the activities provided.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY548271 Local authority Dudley Inspection number 10109071 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 11 Total number of places 29 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Messy Memories Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01902 680288 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Messy Memories registered in 2017. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold an early years qualification at level 3 and four hold level 2. The setting opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector spoke to parents and took their views into account. n The inspector sampled documentation, including evidence for the recruitment of staff and children's learning journeys. n The inspector and the leader completed a learning walk across all areas of the setting and discussed the curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the leader of the setting. n The inspector observed and spoke to children.

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Inspection activities

25 October 2019 We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

25 October 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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