Clarence House March

Inspection of Clarence House March 72 Station Road, March PE15 8NP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and well cared for in a safe and secure environment. The management team carries out checks to ensure the suitability of staff. However, they were unable to provide evidence of the vetting process that had been completed for all staff on the day of the inspection. This is a requirement of registration. Children show increasing levels of concentration as they settle to their chosen activities. They behave well, showing that they feel at ease in the calm and stimulating environment that staff provide.

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The provision requires improvement

Children thoroughly enjoy playing outside. They have good opportunities to build their physical skills as they balance on tricycles and ride on toys and resources. Children take supervised risks as they climb the steps to the slide or ride a tricycle down a gentle slope. They giggle as they gain a little speed. Children accurately count to four as they throw beanbags through hula hoops held up by staff.

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The provision requires improvement

Children settle well and form strong bonds with staff. Younger children are confident to seek reassurance should they feel upset, which is promptly given by caring staff. Babies receive lots of encouragement, such as when they start to show an interest in walking. Toddlers excitedly react when they recognise environmental sounds, such as when the refuse lorry drives by.

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need to do better?

n Managers have systems in place for checking the suitability of staff, including relevant Disclosure and Barring Service checks. However, on the day of the inspection, a record of these could not be provided for all staff. This is a requirement of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. n The management team has established a clear curriculum that helps children build on what they know and can do over time. This is clearly shared with staff, who provide children with good opportunities to practise and repeat new knowledge and skills, so that it is securely remembered. n Staff know children well. They plan experiences that reflect children's emerging interests to help to engage them in purposeful play. When children build houses and roads with interlocking wooden panels, staff encourage them to reflect on their creation and think how they can develop it. Children share their ideas, take

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need to do better?

turns and begin to discover the benefits of working with others to achieve their creative aims. n There have been recent changes in the management of the nursery. However, staff state that they are well supported to fulfil their roles. Staff work well together as a team and are keen to develop their knowledge and skills. They complete online training and share new knowledge at regular staff meetings. n Staff talk to children as they play and introduce words to help children develop

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need to do better?

20 January 2022 their understanding and knowledge. Children enjoy listening to stories and sing songs and rhymes with staff. Babies babble to staff and begin to make speech sounds. However, staff do not consistently support all children who speak English as an additional language to communicate effectively. n Children receive lots of support and encouragement to do things for themselves. They put on their coats and shoes to play outside and know when to wash their hands, such as before eating meals. Older children consider what is similar in the nursery to what they will find at school, such as the outdoor play equipment. n Parents are positive about the nursery and staff. They feel that their children's needs are met and that their children are happy. Parents state they receive daily updates about their child's day. However, the information they receive about what their child needs to learn next tends to be generic and is not specific to

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need to do better?

each child. n Sometimes, staff working with younger children do not always consider children's individual needs. For example, a messy play activity was not well planned, leaving children sitting and waiting for the resources. Children received little direction from staff to support their engagement with the activity.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff receive regular training and information about safeguarding and child protection. They know the possible indicators of child abuse and neglect. Staff know what to do should they have any concerns about a child's welfare or about an adult's conduct in the nursery. They have a good understanding of wider safeguarding issues, such as the risks to children of being exposed to extremist views.

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Due date

ensure a record is kept of the vetting processes that have been completed. 31/01/2022

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should:

n find ways to promote the speaking, listening and understanding skills of children who speak English as an additional language that improves their vocabulary and recognition of words in their home language and in English n improve the information shared with parents, so that all parents understand how

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should:

20 January 2022 to support their child's specific ongoing learning at home n help staff understand how to support younger children during small group activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY500408 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 10218435 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 52 Name of registered person Clarence House Day Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01354 278081 Date of previous inspection 25 June 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Clarence House March registered in 2016. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff, including the manager. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. 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 their evaluation of the provider. n The acting manager 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 talked to children and 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 inspector carried out a joint observation of group activities with the acting manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with 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

20 January 2022 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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