Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in Blackburn with Darwen

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

The newly established management team and key staff are beginning to work with some success to improve the quality of care and education in the setting. They have ambitious plans to support all children to do well. However, further action is needed to help ensure all children get the best start in life. Leaders have not yet thought clearly enough about the key knowledge and skills they want children to learn. In addition, they do not ensure children are supported to learn in an appropriate order to support their progress. Staff are eager to help all children learn, including those at risk of falling behind. They know what individual children need most. However, children do not achieve as much as they can because staff do not consistently implement their plans to challenge children's learning.

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The provision requires improvement

Some children have had periods of absence due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. In addition, there have been changes to staffing and the routines of the setting. Children have adapted well in this relaxed and friendly setting, as they have been suitably supported by those staff who know them well. Having received a warm welcome, children confidently leave their parent at the front door. They demonstrate some increasing independence when managing handwashing and serving themselves snacks. Children sit in small groups and behave well at mealtimes. They replicate the good manners and social behaviour modelled by the staff, who sit with them. Children are keen to join in and explore some interesting activities. They particularly enjoy playing with special friends in the garden, where they happily run, chase, explore water and play on the large equipment. Strong relationships support their increasing confidence to speak. By the time they leave

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The provision requires improvement

the setting, many children are confident communicators.

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need to do better?

n The provider is not clear about the way they are registered to operate. This has led to them attempting to deliver both childminding and childcare on the domestic premises at the same time, which regulations do not provide for. Additionally, they have failed to notify Ofsted that the childcare setting is run by a limited company. The provider has agreed to rectify these matters swiftly. The breaches of regulations do not have a significant impact on the safety and welfare, or the learning and development of children attending. n Recently appointed leaders know their planned improvements are in the early stages. They are already beginning to make positive changes in the quality of care and education provided for babies and toddlers. However, due to the misunderstanding linked to the provision of childminding for pre-school children on the first floor, leaders have not yet had an opportunity to focus on

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need to do better?

improvements for these children. Overall, children's progress is not consistently secure.

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need to do better?

16 June 2021 n Staff know that one of their priorities for children in the toddler room is toilet training. Staff working in the baby room also know that some children in their room would benefit from an early introduction to sitting on a potty, to help prepare them. However, potty and toilet facilities are not easily accessible to help children develop these skills progressively and as effectively as possible. n Staff working with children in the pre-school area encourage early reading and writing. Some of their teaching towards this is suitably planned. For example, they provide children with ample opportunities to make marks, see the written word and learn that writing has meaning. However, staff do not consistently understand how to teach some foundations for early reading effectively. For example, they mispronounce some of the sounds that represent letters. This hinders the way children move forward in their learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff prioritise their time to provide meaningful play and learning opportunities for the children. They model during play, to help support children's understanding. For example, using their forefinger, they draw a number two in shaving foam. This inspires children to make their own attempts. Staff also encourage persistence as children build a tall wooden tower. They make good links with story characters, to enhance play further. Children copy familiar story phrases, saying, 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair'. n Staff support children's emerging understanding of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle that involves physical exercise and a healthy diet. Children play outside regularly. They develop their physical skills and confidence as they run down a slope, swing, or pour and catch water in containers. They are beginning to explore a wider variety of nutritious foods and are learning that 'healthy

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need to do better?

eating makes you strong'. n The very recent introduction of a new online communication tool is seen by parents as a positive improvement. However, the sharing of information about children's learning and ways that they can contribute to this at home has reduced. Information for parents is not consistent enough to impact positively on children's progress. Despite this, parents speak positively about children's learning in the setting, particularly their independence and speaking skills. They say that children are settled and happy to attend.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders and staff are aware of their responsibilities for keeping children safe. Almost all staff have completed first-aid and child protection training, and demonstrate awareness of potential indicators of abuse. They understand the procedures to follow if they have any concerns, including about colleagues. Staff understand issues which could impact on children's safety, for example allergies. There are specific agreements in place with parents to manage these. Following the previous inspection and regulatory action, improvements to the risk assessment and organisation of the premises have reduced children's access to potential hazards. The premises are secure and there is a more robust system in place for the vetting of new staff.

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Due date

establish a clear operational plan which delivers childcare in line with legal requirements, and which includes clear roles for leaders to help deliver good- quality education to all children in the setting. 28/07/2021

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should:

n support staff to deliver a well-planned and sequenced curriculum, particularly in relation to physical development, including health and self-care, and literacy, in particular reading n support staff to deliver highly focused planning for individual children and to consistently challenge all children to achieve as much as they can n increase communication with parents about children's progress and ways they can support and extend this at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2509130 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10136825 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 36 Number of children on roll 56

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 December 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Little Stars registered in 2019. The setting employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 3 to 5. Four members of staff are unqualified. The setting opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and religious holidays during Christmas and Eid. The setting receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the managers and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The manager, deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk around the ground and first floors of the setting. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children. n The inspector observed the quality of education and the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held meetings with the provider and management team, and discussed improvements made since the previous inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and children spoken with on the day of the inspection. n The inspector viewed a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks.

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Inspection activities

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

16 June 2021 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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