Magic Sparks Nursery

Inspection of Magic Sparks Nursery Quantrill House (1st floor), 2 Dunstable Road, Luton LU1 1DX

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in the way staff supervise children, and their knowledge of child development, compromise children's well-being. Staff have a weak understanding of how children develop and learn. Babies cry and staff do not always comfort them. They sometimes distract them for short periods of time but, overall, not all babies' emotional needs are met.

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The provision is inadequate

There is no clear routine for children to follow. Older children end up wandering about with nothing to do. This results in children becoming restless and playing unsafely. For example, they pull each other's hair and staff do not notice. This means children do not learn how to build positive relationships with their peers.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not provided with challenging learning opportunities. When older children play outside, they run around with no purpose. Most children arrive happily at nursery. Older children use some resources appropriately. They pretend to check temperatures and listen to each other's heartbeats with the doctor's kit. Staff do not spend time building on children's play and adding language to their play. When they do, it is for very short periods of time because children lose interest in the activity. Children do enjoy finding their names and the letters in them. Staff praise them when they match them correctly. Babies spend time making marks with chunky crayons. This helps build on children's literacy skills sufficiently.

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need to do better?

n Staff fail to deploy themselves effectively. They do not notice when children need help or hurt each other. For example, babies climb in and out of a box by themselves and when it tips, a visiting inspector has to intervene, so the babies do not bump their head on hard wooden toys. This does not ensure children's safety. n The provider is aware of the weaknesses in the nursery but has failed to implement strategies to tackle them. For example, regular meetings with staff have failed to have a positive impact on the quality of teaching. The number of children attending the nursery has grown quickly, which has had a negative impact on the quality of provision. Some staff have little experience of working with babies. As a result, they cannot meet their needs effectively. n Staff do not risk assess all hazards. For example, when walking up and down a flight of stairs to play outside, children hold hands and almost pull each other

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need to do better?

down them. Not all children have daily opportunities to experience the outdoors. This means that there are limited opportunities for them to develop their large muscle skills. n Staff fail to supervise children adequately during mealtimes. Babies are left to

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need to do better?

7 December 2021 eat finger food in highchairs while staff are across the other side of the room. Older children walk and dance around while holding and chewing pieces of crumpet. This puts them at risk of choking. n The key-person approach is weak. Staff do not know children well enough to tailor care to their individual needs. While children's nappies are changed hygienically, staff do not respond to or acknowledge their babble. Staff do not have good knowledge of what children already know and can do. For example, staff do not know the language that some children speak at home. This prevents them from planning opportunities to meet children's learning needs. n Staff do not always manage behaviour in an appropriate way. During the inspection, staff raised their voices twice to older children. They spoke in a harsh tone when children were shouting and throwing toys. This fails to help children understand how to behave in an acceptable way and promote good social skills.

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need to do better?

n Parents are happy with the nursery. They tell the inspector that their children are happy to come to nursery every day. Parents value the photographs and information they can view on the online learning journal. n Children are learning a little about how to keep themselves healthy. The cook prepares fruit for snack and a freshly cooked meal at lunch. This helps promote their awareness of what contributes to a healthy diet. All children, including babies, are encouraged to wash their hands after having their nappy changed or using the toilet.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Failure to deploy staff adequately compromises children's safety. Furthermore, staff do not assess the risks and safety procedures when children are walking up and down stairs and to and from the garden. Despite this, staff have a sufficient understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. They are aware of the local agencies that they can refer concerns to and how to contact them. The designated officer understands their role to liaise with other agencies should there be a concern about a child.

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Due date

deploy staff so that they supervise children adequately to ensure their safety 14/01/2022

p.3

Due date

7 December 2021 support staff so that they understand their roles and responsibilities and improve their teaching skills 14/01/2022

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Due date

ensure staff who look after babies are suitably experienced and qualified to meet their needs 14/01/2022

p.4

Due date

review risk assessments to ensure that safety procedures when walking up and down stairs and to and from the garden help keep children safe 14/01/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure babies and children are supervised adequately when they are eating 14/01/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure all children have the opportunity for daily outdoor experiences 14/01/2022

p.4

Due date

make sure staff manage children's behaviour in a way that is suitable for their age and stage of development and promotes their self-esteem 14/01/2022

p.4

Due date

help staff get to know their key children and ensure that this information is used so that the individual needs of babies and children are met 14/01/2022

p.4

Due date

plan experiences that build on what children already know and can do, so that children have enjoyable and challenging opportunities across all seven areas of learning. 14/01/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2617851 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10216632 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 54 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Magic Sparks Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07415167240 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Magic Sparks Nursery registered in 2021 and is situated in Luton. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff, including the owner. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, and two hold a qualification at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 8am to 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 setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about the provider. n The provider joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 provider and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of

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Inspection activities

their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection.

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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 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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