Smart Kids Childcare

Inspection of Smart Kids Childcare Bhailok Square, Fulwood, Preston, Lancashire PR2 8DY

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Not all children benefit from a positive experience at the nursery. Children in the toddler room are immersed in a chaotic, unorganised environment. Although staff work hard to try and support all children, they are unsuccessful. In particular, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not supported effectively. Staff have some ideas of the things they want children to learn. However, the curriculum is not well implemented or adapted to meet children's individual learning needs. As a consequence, some children, particularly younger children, are frequently not engaged in purposeful learning.

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The provision is inadequate

Pre-school children have a different experience. They are happy, excited and eager to learn. Children enjoy working together to role play everyday tasks, such as making dinner. They explore quantity using sand and discuss 'full', 'half full' and 'empty'. Staff are clear about their expectations for positive behaviour. Older children have learned to share, take turns and be kind and considerate towards each other.

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The provision is inadequate

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents no longer routinely enter the nursery. On the whole, children have adapted well to this change and enter the nursery confidently with a staff member.

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need to do better?

n Leadership and management are poor. Managers have not addressed significant weaknesses in the quality of the nursery. Despite being aware of the challenges faced by staff within the toddler room, they have failed to provide them with additional support. The arrangements for supervision, coaching and mentoring are weak. Managers do not provide accurate feedback to help staff to improve their knowledge and skills. This means the quality of education across the nursery is inconsistent. For instance, some staff do not extend activities further to challenge most-able children. Additionally, some staff provide children with lots of narration and discussions about what they are doing, while other staff say very little. This has a negative impact on children's emerging language skills. n Due to the poor organisation of staff, children in the toddler room do not consistently benefit from high-quality interactions. For instance, circle times are

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need to do better?

rushed and ineffective as staff are needed elsewhere. This hinders children's learning. Staff ask children questions but do not allow them time to answer. Children are not given time to think about and process new words and songs. As a result, they lose interest quickly and demonstrate poor levels of engagement. n The curriculum is poorly planned and implemented, particularly for children with SEND. Some staff do not understand how to implement the curriculum intent. For instance, they plan an activity to teach children about action words but then

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need to do better?

24 November 2021 do not include these words in their conversations. Staff are able to identify children who may be at risk of falling behind. However, a lack of support from managers prevents them from implementing targeted support plans effectively. This means that some children do not make good progress in their learning. n All children have regular access to activities that promote their physical skills both indoors and outdoors. Younger children exercise their large muscles as they learn to use the climbing equipment independently. Older children access weekly swimming lessons. Children enjoy a balanced diet and have access to fresh drinking water. However, staff do not consistently follow good hygiene practices. For instance, they do not always wash their hands after wiping children's noses. This increases the spread of infection and does not help to promote children's health. n The key-person system is effective. Staff get to know children well and have

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need to do better?

formed strong bonds with them and their families. On the whole, most parents are happy. They receive regular updates on their children's development with suggestions of how learning can be extended at home. n Pre-school children eagerly take part in activities that promote their literacy skills. For instance, they learn how to pronounce correctly the initial letter sounds of objects they are familiar with. They use paintbrushes and flour to make marks and strengthen their small muscles. This helps to prepare them for early writing and their eventual transition to school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Although the minimum staff-to-child ratios are maintained, staff are not deployed effectively. This means that they are unable to meet the needs of all children, in particular children with SEND. This puts children at a significant disadvantage. That said, staff are able to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. They understand the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child or the behaviour of a member of staff. Staff know how to refer any concerns beyond the leadership team should they need to. The procedures for staff recruitment and ongoing staff suitability are effective.

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Due date

implement effective supervision, coaching and mentoring systems to support staff and raise the quality of education to a good level 22/12/2021

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Due date

24 November 2021 ensure that staff are deployed effectively to meet the needs of all children 05/01/2022

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Due date

ensure that staff follow good hygiene practices consistently and teach children why these are important 22/12/2021

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Due date

improve the quality of the curriculum and ensure that it meets the needs of all children, including those with SEND. 05/01/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY453915 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10216057 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 106 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Smart Kids Childcare

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reference number

Telephone number 01772 719719 Date of previous inspection 6 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Smart Kids Childcare registered in 2013. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including one staff member who holds early years professional status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, except for the period between Christmas and New Year. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

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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 nursery. n The manager gave the inspector a tour of the nursery. The room leaders discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector observed the quality of education indoors and outdoors and evaluated the impact on children's learning. n Discussions were held with the staff, parents and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n A leadership and management meeting was held with the providers. Documentation relating to the suitability of staff was checked. The inspector looked at qualification certificates and paediatric first-aid certificates.

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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

24 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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