Cleverkidz

Inspection of Cleverkidz Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 5JB

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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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Failures in the way staff deploy themselves means that children's needs are not met and, at times, their safety is compromised.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children do not receive a challenging and stimulating learning experience. There is no organisation to some groups of children's routines, resulting in disorderly play. Children sit in pushchairs meant for dolls and draw on tables. Staff do not organise and maintain resources, so that children can learn effectively. For example, children are not able to complete puzzles because some pieces are missing.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Staff's interactions with younger children are mundane. They read stories with little expression and for too long. As a result, children lose interest. While staff are enthusiastic with older children, they are distracted with general tasks because there are not enough staff to meet the needs of all children well. This means children wait for long periods of time before starting activities, or that activities are too short for learning to be properly embedded. Older children use some resources appropriately. For example, they use bricks to create imaginative and elaborate structures. However, staff do not engage with children to develop children's thinking and creative skills further.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Staff support babies sufficiently. They sing songs and shake instruments. Babies crawl in and out of small ball pools, practising their large physical skills. They pretend to sleep in beds and babble with each other. This helps them practise very early social skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider fails to ensure there are enough staff to fully support all children and ensure their safety. Staff to child ratios are not consistently met across the day. Furthermore, it not always clear how many children are on the premises. This means that children's safety is not assured, should there be an emergency. n At times, children are left unsupervised while eating. This puts them at risk of choking. n Staff do not deploy themselves adequately to meet children's needs. For example, new children spend parts of the day crying, with little comfort. This fails to help them develop secure attachments. Some staff spend time cleaning and tidying rather than interacting with the children. n The key-person system is ineffective. Staff do not know the children well enough to meet their individual needs. While staff know what children's interests are, they do not always follow these to help them settle.

p.2

need to do better?

n Teaching is weak. Staff have a poor understanding of how children develop and learn. This means children do not receive a challenging experience that builds on

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need to do better?

24 February 2022 what they already know and can do. For example, staff discuss next steps in learning that children have already achieved. Children's concentration skills are not developed effectively. Staff do not extend children's thinking skills and fail to recognise when children are still interested in activities before packing them away. This means children do not make good progress in their learning. n The manager and quality manager have plans to improve the staff skill set. They encourage staff to attend training and staff have suitable targets to work towards to improve their practice. However, this has yet to have a positive impact on the children's learning and development. n Parents are happy with the service provided for their children. They say the staff are caring and give regular feedback about their child's day. Parents understand that they can help their children learn at home with ideas suggested by staff and

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need to do better?

through the informative newsletter. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make sufficient progress from their starting points. The manager works with other professionals to secure support for children. n Staff promote children's hygiene suitably. Children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Babies' nappies are changed swiftly. Staff manage children's dietary requirements suitably, ensuring they receive healthy, nutritious meals.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Failure to deploy staff adequately compromises children's safety. Despite this, staff have a sufficient understanding of how to identify concerns about children. They understand how to report the concerns to their designated officer and relevant agencies if necessary. The designated officer shares information with professionals to support families appropriately. Suitable recruitment and induction procedures are in place. Staff assess the garden for hazards before children play in it. For example, they do not use the areas where storms have damaged fence panels.

p.3

Due date

ensure there are enough staff to meet the staff to child ratios in accordance with the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage 24/03/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure staff deployment helps meet children's needs 17/03/2022

p.3

Due date

24 February 2022 ensure staff supervise children adequately while eating 17/03/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure the hours of attendance for each child are recorded accurately 17/03/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure the key-person approach is used to tailor care to effectively meet children's individual needs 17/03/2022

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. 28/04/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY278278 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10226712 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 79 Number of children on roll 90 Name of registered person Cleverkidz Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01582 868000 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Cleverkidz registered in 2004 and is situated within the grounds of Tithe Farm Lower School. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round with the exception of bank holidays and two weeks at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

p.5

Inspection activities

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 This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about the provider. n The manager 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 the quality manager 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 manager 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 talked 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

24 February 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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