Mereside Farm Children's Nursery

Summary of outcome

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills is leading Ofsted's work into how regulated early years and childcare providers in England have delivered child- centred practice and care, within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

p.1

Summary of outcome

All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, which you can find at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right.

p.1

Summary of outcome

Whilst routine and assurance inspections of early years and childcare provision remain suspended, we are continuing with Early Years regulatory work. We have completed additional regulatory work looking at the information that we hold about this provider. The focus was to check the provider was meeting requirements following concerns and notifications since their last inspection.

p.1

Summary of outcome

On 26 March 2021, we carried out a regulatory visit. We found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this.

p.1

Summary of outcome

n ensure that the premises are secure at all times to prevent children from leaving unsupervised or unauthorised persons from entering the premises

p.1

Summary of outcome

n improve risk assessment so that all risks to children's safety are identified and action is taken to remove or minimise risks and hazards in a timely manner

p.1

Summary of outcome

n improve all staff's knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow to respond to any inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, including their responsibility to refer information of a safeguarding nature to other professionals in a timely manner

p.1

Summary of outcome

n improve knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures to ensure that any issues of concern in a child's life at home or elsewhere are identified and information of a safeguarding nature is referred to other professionals in a timely manner

p.1

Summary of outcome

n improve knowledge and understanding of complaint procedures in order to demonstrate how to investigate and respond to complaints relating to the fulfilment of the EYFS requirements

p.2

Summary of outcome

n ensure that all information and records are clear and sufficiently detailed to promote the safe and efficient management of the setting.

p.2

Summary of outcome

On 19 April 2021 we carried out a monitoring visit. We found the provider had met some of the safeguarding and welfare actions but not others. The provider had taken steps to ensure that the premises are secure and had improved knowledge and understanding of complaints procedures.

p.2

Summary of outcome

Additionally, during the visit, we found new areas of concern. This means that the provider was not meeting other requirements as set out in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage.

p.2

Summary of outcome

We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this.

p.2

Summary of outcome

n implement robust vetting procedures to check the suitability of all staff, including obtaining Disclosure and Barring Service checks and ensure staff whose suitability has not been checked are never left alone with children

p.2

Summary of outcome

n devise and implement an effective policy to cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the nursery

p.2

Summary of outcome

n ensure all staff have a robust understanding of safeguarding, including knowledge of the 'Prevent' duty and wider safeguarding issues

p.2

Summary of outcome

n improve risk assessment so that all risks to children's safety are identified and action is taken to remove or minimise risks and hazards in a timely manner

p.2

Summary of outcome

n make sure that records are maintained to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting, with particular regard to records of child protection concerns.

p.2

Summary of outcome

On 10 May 2021 we carried out a monitoring visit. We found that the provider undertakes suitable vetting checks, including obtaining Disclosure and Barring Service checks for all staff. There is now an effective policy in place to cover mobile phones and cameras in the nursery. Staff have a sound understanding of safeguarding. We also found that risk assessment had improved and that systems have been put in place to maintain records to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting.

p.2

Summary of outcome

The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

p.3

Publication of compliance action

We aim to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is protected in the services we regulate. The Childcare Act 2006 and accompanying regulations set out our responsibilities to regulate childminders and childcare providers. This includes the enforcement powers we have in relation to those registered providers who do not comply with the requirements for registration.

p.3

Publication of compliance action

We publish details of any actions we take, or the childminder or childcare provider takes to bring about compliance with requirements on our website for a period of five years.

p.3

Publication of compliance action

For further information please read the Early years compliance handbook which can be found here at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-provider-non-compliance- action-by-ofsted .

p.3