Clarence House Godmanchester Nursery

Inspection of Clarence House Godmanchester Nursery 19 The Causeway, Godmanchester, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 2HA

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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 Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children at this nursery do not receive the care and education they deserve. Risk assessments of the premises and resources are not robust. Staff do not consistently identify all hazards to children. On the day of the inspection, radiators were extremely hot to touch. Radiator covers were in place but had gaps that made the top of the radiator accessible to children. A large pile of peeling paint was seen on the floor between two rooms. Staff did not notice this, despite repeatedly passing by it. Cables for items, such as baby monitors and fairy lights, hang within children's reach. Hygiene practices are not thorough. High chairs used for babies were dirty with a build-up of old food around the sides and seat area.

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The provision is inadequate

Children do not receive high-quality learning experiences that stimulate and motivate them to learn. In the toddler room, staff are often preoccupied with routine tasks and some children wander around with nothing to do. Staff talk to children but do not always engage in meaningful conversations with the eldest children and provide rich language experiences that help to increase their vocabulary. Play areas in here are uninviting and poorly thought out. The baby room is more welcoming. Staff are attentive to children and follow their individual routines for nappy changes and sleep times. Babies have formed close bonds with staff and welcome cuddles and comfort when they need reassurance.

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need to do better?

n Staff have failed to recognise all health and safety risks the nursery environment poses to children. They do not ensure that the premises and equipment are always clean and safe before children arrive. n On the day of the inspection, a qualified member of staff had been sent to work in another nursery in the company. This meant that overall staffing in this nursery did not meet the required qualification requirements. Children in the baby room were being cared for directly by unqualified staff. This compromises the quality of care babies receive and demonstrates poor leadership and management regarding organisation of the nursery. n The key-person system is ineffective. The transition for children between rooms is poor and does not meet children's needs. There is no clear handover from key person to key person. In their new surroundings, babies are not given the support they need at routine times, such as lunch. They climb on furniture and

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need to do better?

do not eat well, as staff provide no help or encouragement. n The manager does not have robust systems in place to monitor the quality of teaching to ensure it is effective for all children. She has not ensured that staff understand the nursery's curriculum intent and the new changes that have been made to the planning system. Children do not receive broad and rich learning experiences.

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need to do better?

2 December 2021 n Behaviour management of children is inconsistent. Some staff do not have a clear understanding of how to manage children's behaviour effectively. They have not received clear guidance about the nursery's policies and procedures. For example, at the inspection, very young children standing on a chair were told to 'get down' from across a table. They were not given support or guidance to help them understand the consequences of their actions. n Routine activities, such as getting ready for outdoor play, take a long time. Staff are not organised well during these times. On the day of the inspection, they were unaware where all the children's coats were or who they belonged to. This means children were waiting around with nothing to do. There is also very little attempt to increase children's independence during these times, as coats and shoes were fastened for them. n Staff work closely with families and other professionals involved in the care of

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need to do better?

children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n Babies and toddlers enjoy listening to stories and singing songs. They are confident to have a go at singing their favourite ones. Staff praise them for their efforts, helping to raise their self-esteem. n Staff share information with parents about their children's day and the progress they are making. Parents are happy with the care their children receive.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff do not provide an environment which prioritises the safety and welfare of children and meets their individual needs. However, staff demonstrate a suitable understanding of safeguarding procedures. They know how to report their concerns about adults and children in the nursery. Staff undertake regular safeguarding training to keep their knowledge refreshed. Management use appropriate procedures to check the suitability of adults working with children.

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Due date

take all reasonable steps to ensure children are not exposed to risks and demonstrate how risks are managed 16/12/2021

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Due date

ensure the premises and equipment meet health and hygiene standards at all times and are fit for purpose 16/12/2021

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Due date

2 December 2021 ensure the qualification requirements for staff are met at all times 16/12/2021

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Due date

ensure that staff understand and implement the behaviour management policy so that children's behaviour is managed in an appropriate way 16/12/2021

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Due date

improve the key-person system to ensure that children's care is tailored to meet their individual needs at all times 16/12/2021

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Due date

review the organisation of daily routines so that children's learning experiences are consistently good and their needs are met during these times 16/12/2021

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Due date

improve the quality of teaching and ensure children engage in planned, purposeful play that supports their individual needs and interests 28/01/2022

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Due date

provide effective support, coaching and training to all staff to enable them to develop a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and to ensure that they offer quality learning and development experiences for children. 28/01/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY260325 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10216366 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person Clarence House Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01480 731213 Date of previous inspection 29 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Clarence House Godmanchester Nursery registered in 2003. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, four staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This inspection was carried out following the risk assessment process. n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The provider 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 Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of the toddler room. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to a parent during the inspection and took account of their

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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

2 December 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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