Little Oaks Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Oaks Day Nursery 1-5 Corporation Road, Grimsby, Lincolnshire DN31 1UJ

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's welfare is not protected. Staff knowledge of child protection is varied. While some staff are aware of the indicators of abuse and referral procedures, others have a poor understanding. Management and staff have failed to identify indicators of abuse and make referrals in a timely way to protect children from potential harm. Inconsistencies with the supervision of children when they eat outside of the usual daily routine, result in some children not being adequately supervised at these times. When this occurs, staff do not notice when children drop their food on the floor, pick this up and eat it. Children's well-being is, therefore, not always maintained.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite significant weaknesses in safeguarding, children are supported in their learning and they behave well. Staff have a clear awareness of the skills and knowledge they want children to learn. Children happily engage in a range of hands-on learning experiences, which build on their prior learning. Additional support is provided for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, helping to close achievement gaps.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Management and staff place a strong emphasis on supporting children to feel settled and to develop positive relationships. This is because they have noted how the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on young children's social skills. Staff plan lots of opportunities for children to learn about their feelings and emotions. During welcome time discussions, children are encouraged to identify how they are feeling.

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need to do better?

n Inconsistencies with staff knowledge of child protection and poorly maintained child protection records, result in children's welfare not being maintained. n Managers and staff have a clear awareness of the skills and knowledge they want children to learn. Staff monitor children's progress and have a good knowledge of child development. They use this information to plan future experiences, which build on children's prior knowledge and skills. n Children are motivated as they engage in an interesting range of activities and experiences. Overall, staff support children well during their play. However, planning of some group activities is slightly too long, resulting in not all children maintaining their attention and focus. n Children thoroughly enjoy outdoor learning opportunities, as staff support and guide their learning through positive interaction. A group of children are supported to use their imagination as they re-enact and retell a popular story.

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need to do better?

Staff introduce counting opportunities during games of hide and seek. n Staff provide a continual dialogue as children play. Children enjoy listening to

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need to do better?

12 November 2021 stories. Younger children listen to an interactive story where they are supported to move their mouth and tongue in different ways. This helps children to develop the muscles and movements needed for speech. Staff introduce new words and model how to talk in sentences. However, they do not always provide children with enough time to respond with their own thoughts and ideas. n Staff plan lots of opportunities for babies to develop their physical skills. They provide activities on low-level tables and in front of mirrors to encourage children to pull themselves up, stand, move and reach for the resources. Babies enjoy exploring paint as they paint their hands, feet, and bodies. They are encouraged to make footprints as they walk over large sheets of paper. n Additional support is provided for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff adapt their approach to meet the individual needs of the

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need to do better?

child. They work with other professionals to provide each child with targeted support. Simple language, signs and symbols are used as appropriate to help children to understand and follow directions. n Children's good health is promoted. They benefit from healthy, nutritious meals and snacks, and drinks of water or milk. Staff change children's nappies regularly during the day. Children are provided with a toothbrush in the nursery's welcome pack. Staff read stories and plan activities to support children's awareness of good oral hygiene. Babies are provided with appropriate foods to meet their needs. n The recently appointed management team are in the process of improving staff supervisions procedures. They plan to monitor staff practice more closely in each room, to help ensure all areas of weakness are identified in the future. Management ensures there are always enough staff working with the children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

While some staff are knowledgeable about child protection, others have a poor understanding. Not all staff are aware of the indicators of abuse or the correct procedures to follow when they have a concern about a child. Some staff are unfamiliar with the indicators associated with radicalisation and extremism. Other staff confirmed they would complete an accident at home form if children arrived with marks or bruises on their ears or if a non-mobile baby had bruises. Staff failed to understand the possible severity of these injuries and how these injuries link to possible abuse. Records relating to injuries which occur outside of the nursery are poorly maintained, and monitored. This results in staff and management not identifying potential abuse and significant delays in referrals being made to relevant agencies. Children are, therefore, not protected from potential harm.

p.3

Due date

ensure child protection procedures are consistently implemented, with specific regard to maintaining clear information about children's pre-existing injuries and responding in a timely way when concerns are identified 22/11/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure staff and management receive training so that they have an up-to-date knowledge of all indicators of abuse and understand the procedures to follow if they have any concerns about a child 22/11/2021

p.4

Due date

review records and share these with external agencies where there are concerns about a child's safety 22/11/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure children are adequately supervised while they eat. 22/11/2021

p.4

should:

n support all staff to allow children enough time to think about and answer questions asked of them n review how activities are structured and delivered so that they consistently build on children's attention and concentration skills.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2548188 Local authority North East Lincolnshire Inspection number 10209694 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 64 Name of registered person Little Oaks Grimsby Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01472362666 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Oaks Day Nursery registered in 2019. The nursery opens all year round from 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays. The nursery employs 17 members of staff, 14 of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 or above.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

12 November 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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