Casa dei Bambini Day Nursery

Inspection of Casa dei Bambini Day Nursery St. Johns Hall, St. Johns Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 0HF

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

Children's health and safety is not assured because there are breaches of requirements relating to safeguarding and welfare. Although some improvements have been made over the last few months, staff fail to ensure that they implement risk assessments effectively. For example, staff do not remove plastic bags that are accessible to children and they prop up wood against discarded and broken toys where children play. However, children are well supervised by the staff, such as when they go down the stairs.

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The provision is inadequate

The curriculum to help children gain knowledge and develop new skills is varied across the nursery. Older children enjoy a better learning experience than younger children. Staff show good teaching skills in this age group and help children make the progress they are capable of. Babies, particularly the newest ones, are unsettled because they are not able to form strong emotional bonds with their key person. The staff can change daily and babies' care needs are not always met. Older children show positive attitudes and are keen to explore the toys and activities. They behave well and show they understand the routines of the day. Babies enjoy the large and light play space and practise their walking and climbing skills. All children sit together for social mealtimes and enjoy the healthy food.

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need to do better?

n The provider has made insufficient progress since their last inspection. Weaknesses remain in leadership and management and their action plan has not been effectively implemented. Not all documentation is easily accessible and available for inspection. n The system in place when the manager is absent, or when the leader in the baby room is absent, is not good enough. Staff are not clear on their roles and responsibilities. This affects the smooth running of the nursery and children's care and learning. For example, on the day of the inspection, adult- and child- led play activities in the baby room were minimal. n Parents speak positively of the setting. They report their children are happy and progressing well in their development. There is good communication with the staff. n The quality of children's early education is variable. Older children engage happily in meaningful play activities, such as making and moulding scented play

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need to do better?

dough. They learn what ingredients they need to make the dough, observe the changes and talk about the different herbs they use. Staff who care for children in the older age group have a clear understanding of what they intend for children to learn during their play experiences. Younger children explore their toys and activities. However, staff lack good interaction skills to build on what babies know and can do.

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need to do better?

7 October 2021 n The progress check for children between the ages of two and three years does not meet requirements. It is not a clear summary for parents of their child's development and lacks information on any gaps in children's learning. n The key-person system does not effectively support children's well-being. Younger children do not benefit from good-quality, nurturing support from a regular care giver. The staff team shows an inconsistent understanding of their individual needs. This impacts on babies' personal development. Nappy changing lacks privacy for babies and sleeping arrangements do not consistently meet their needs. n Since the last inspection, the provider has adjusted her leadership structure to include a quality improvement manager. However, the system to ensure that all staff receive the required coaching and training to fulfil their roles is not fully effective. For example, risk assessments continue to be ineffective in assuring

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need to do better?

that they identify and minimise hazards. n Older children are developing a good sense of right and wrong and have a positive attitude to learning. However, the staff weaknesses in the baby room hinders younger children's enjoyment and curiosity to learn.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff cannot be relied upon to safeguard children's welfare. The staff's knowledge and understanding of safeguarding across the team remains varied. Staff in key roles have not completed child protection training. For example, they are not trained to understand the procedure to take in the event of an injury to a non- mobile baby. However, staff are aware of the procedure to take if they were concerned about a trusted adult in the setting. Documentation such as staff's first- aid certificates are not available for inspection. Appropriate recruitment and vetting procedures of new staff are in place. This helps the provider to gain an understanding of staff's suitability when making employment decisions.

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Due date

ensure that records are easily accessible and available for inspection 01/11/2021

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Due date

ensure there is a named deputy who is capable and has the necessary skills to take charge in the manager's absence 01/11/2021

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Due date

7 October 2021 improve children's progress check at age two by making sure it is a written summary of a child's development in the prime areas, and develop a targeted plan to share with parents 01/11/2021

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Due date

improve staff's understanding of their role as key person and make sure each child's personal care is tailored to meet their individual needs 01/11/2021

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Due date

ensure that all staff receive effective support, coaching and training to fulfil their roles and improve their personal effectiveness 01/11/2021

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Due date

train all staff to understand how they can safeguard children and babies 01/11/2021

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Due date

ensure all reasonable steps are taken to remove or minimise risks in the environment to help keep children safe. 01/11/2021

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY297374 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10201973 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 47 Number of children on roll 24

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Name of registered person

Hartley House Montessori Limited T/A Eco Montessori

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reference number

Telephone number 01962 855412 Date of previous inspection 28 June 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Casa dei Bambini Day Nursery is run by Hartley House Montessori Ltd. It registered in 2004 and is in Winchester, Hampshire. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm all year round. It receives funding to provide free early education for three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs eight members of staff. Of these, two are qualified at level 6 and three hold an appropriate qualification at level 3. The nursery operates in line with the Montessori method of teaching.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this re-inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n Parents gave feedback to the inspector about the nursery. n The quality improvement manager and inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a small group activity with the quality improvement manager. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to the provider about the leadership and management of the setting.

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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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