Little Gems Nursery

Inspection of Little Gems Nursery Unique Enterprise Centre, Belfield Road, ROCHDALE, Lancashire OL16 2UP

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The manager fails to ensure that all regular visitors to the setting are suitable and safe. Some visiting teachers have had no Disclosure and Barring Service checks made and are not adequately supervised within the setting. At times, children struggle to manage their emotions as staff have not been taught a consistent way to deal with challenging behaviours. This means some children become very upset and are not supported adequately.

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The provision is inadequate

Children busy themselves with water play and dancing. They independently access the toys and resources on offer. However, there are times where they lack challenge and become bored with activities planned by staff. The manager does not monitor staff's practice or the quality of education effectively. New staff do not always fulfil their roles due to a lack of induction and guidance.

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The provision is inadequate

The manager and the provider have adapted the provision throughout the COVID- 19 pandemic. They encourage children to keep clean. Children now independently manage their self-care needs, such as washing their own hands when preparing to eat. The manager has worked hard to ensure that the hallway where parents now drop off and collect their children is informative and inviting. Children are excited to show their parents the different pictures on the walls and parents enjoy reading information about their children's key person.

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need to do better?

n The manager and the provider do not ensure that new staff are prepared for their roles. They do not provide adequate guidance on how they expect staff to deal with challenging behaviours. As a result, these staff do not support children effectively when they are upset. This means some children become distressed and are not taught how to manage and understand their own emotions. n The manager does not monitor staff's practice effectively. She recognises when some staff struggle to manage children's behaviour, but does not step in to guide them. She relies on other staff within the room to address these situations. Staff do not have a reliable induction to their roles, and this leads to inconsistent practice across the setting, which is confusing for children. n The quality of education is not consistent. Some staff understand the areas of learning that they are teaching, while others do not. This means that sometimes

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need to do better?

children become bored with planned activities and are not challenged. Children show that they are not interested in some staff-led play and repeatedly walk away from organised activities. Children enjoy messy play and confidently access toys for independent learning. For instance, they look at books with their peers and play imaginative games with toy figures. n Children learn social skills. They are polite and kind and naturally show support

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need to do better?

7 October 2021 for their peers. For example, children encourage their shy friends to get involved and cheer when they are successful. However, at times, due to the varying levels of challenge, children become bored and wander away from activities. n Parents value this setting. They commend the manager and the staff, particularly for their strong communication skills. Parents feel reassured that their children are 'happy and excited' at the nursery. They are thankful for the support they have received during the COVID-19 pandemic. n The manager completes daily risk assessments. She ensures that the premises are clean and safe for children. The manager recognises that she must check the suitability of her staff and regular visitors to the setting. However, she does not ensure that those whose suitability has not been checked are supervised at all times. n Children enjoy eating fresh, healthy meals. They chat with their friends over

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need to do better?

mealtimes, as staff encourage children to see this as a social occasion. Children excitedly tell the inspector what they are eating and even offer to share. n The manager is passionate about helping children to learn about what makes them and others unique. She teaches children about diversity, equality, similarities and differences. Children learn about new cultures and celebrations that they have not encountered before. This helps them to become respectful and embracing of all. They are well prepared, in this sense, for a life in modern Britain.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager, who is the designated safeguarding lead, does not have sufficient knowledge to fulfil her responsibilities. She does not know the correct procedures to follow should an allegation be made against a member of staff. Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is being abused or neglected. However, they do not know what they should do if they have concerns about the manager or any adult who has caring responsibilities for the children. The manager has scrutinised the suitability of her staff effectively. However, she fails to check if all visiting teachers are deemed suitable. She does not ensure that those who have not been checked remain supervised while on the premises, when children are present.

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Due date

7 October 2021 ensure all staff, including the designated safeguarding lead, have a thorough understanding of what to do if allegations are made about any person who works with children 22/10/2021

p.3

Due date

ensure any adult or visiting professional working with children is never left unsupervised with children until their suitability is checked 22/10/2021

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff have a thorough understanding of how they are expected to manage challenging behaviours and how to support children to manage and understand their feelings and emotions 22/10/2021

p.4

Due date

implement effective strategies to support and guide staff, particularly when they first begin their roles 22/10/2021

p.4

Due date

monitor the quality of education and staff understanding more closely to ensure children encounter adequate challenge and do not become bored. 22/10/2021

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY339580 Local authority Rochdale Inspection number 10209322 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

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inspection

Total number of places 37 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Kashmir Youth Project

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reference number

Telephone number 01706 516 609 Date of previous inspection 25 September 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Little Gems Nursery registered in 2007. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one holds level 5, and six hold level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 the evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector discussed the curriculum and the impact this has on children's development during a learning walk. n Leadership and management discussions were held between the manager and the inspector throughout the inspection. n A joint observation was conducted by the inspector and the manager, who then evaluated the practice seen. n Feedback was gathered from staff, children and parents. n Relevant documentation, such as documents pertaining to the suitability of staff, was scrutinised by the inspector.

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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

7 October 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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