Lowdham Preschool

Inspection of Lowdham Preschool Village Hall, Main Street, Lowdham, NOTTINGHAM NG14 7BD

p.1

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 Outstanding

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children are not safe when they play outside. Children are at risk of injuring themselves, as staff do not implement or follow pre-school risk assessments. Children climb onto wooden logs and reach a rope, which is tied between two trees. They hold the rope under their neck and armpits as they swing. Staff are not available to support children to safely take part in this activity. As a result, children have accidents. Furthermore, children are potentially at risk because the provider has not supplied Ofsted with information about individuals involved in the running of the pre-school.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Some children do not benefit from the time they spend together as a whole group. Staff use registration time to widen children's vocabulary as they introduce new words. However, staff fail to make this opportunity exciting and engaging for all children. Some children lose interest and move away from the group to find other toys to play with. Children do not receive consistent messages about what is being asked of them. For example, staff ask children to sit on the floor. However, some children are then invited to sit on the knee of staff who are sitting on chairs. Despite this, most children are happy and confident learners. They are keen to show visitors their artwork and say, 'I have made this for you.'

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are not encouraged by staff to be independent when managing their own care needs. For example, staff wipe children's noses rather than allowing children the chance to have a go. Furthermore, children do not see good hygiene practices. Staff do not wash their hands after wiping a child's nose. They then go on to help other children open food from their lunch box.

p.2

need to do better?

n The manager does not ensure that staff are following health and safety procedures. Children are not appropriately supervised by staff when they play on equipment outside. As a result, children have accidents which are preventable. Staff are not on hand to show children how to use the play equipment safely. n The provider does not respond to requests from Ofsted for information required to carry out suitability checks. Children are at risk because Ofsted have been unable to determine the suitability of those involved in running the pre-school. These unchecked individuals are involved in staff recruitment and provide support to staff and the manager in relation to safeguarding. n The manager has organised for a language teacher to visit the pre-school and run a French class with all children. Some children count in French with the teacher. This introduces knowledge that older children will continue to build on

p.2

need to do better?

at school. However, this class is not appropriate for all children. Younger children and children who speak English as an additional language are bored as

p.2

need to do better?

10 March 2022 the class is too challenging for them. They become restless and turn their backs towards the teacher. n Staff do not role model what they are asking children to do. Staff encourage children to be quiet during group times. Yet, some staff have conversations with small groups of children during this time. This confuses children and does not help them understand expectations for their behaviour. n Staff encourage children to tidy away their toys once they have finished playing. However, not all children respond to these requests. Staff go on to praise all children for accomplishing tasks that they have not done. For example, staff ask children to put their hands in the air before they tidy up. Not all children follow this instruction. Despite this, staff say, 'well done' and give praise. This gives children mixed messages and does not help them understand that it is important to follow instructions.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff are too quick to attend to children who have a dirty nose. They do not give children the opportunity to develop the skills needed to manage their own personal needs. As staff's time is taken up by doing this, they are distracted from activities with other children. This interrupts the learning experiences for these other children. n Staff engage children in conversation while they explore real fruit and vegetables together. Children and staff talk about lemon juice and how this will sting if it gets in an eye. Most children focus and concentrate on activities. However, not all children are engaged in activities with good levels of concentration. Some children move between areas of the room without a purpose to their play. Staff do not notice these children or respond to them in a timely manner. n Children are encouraged by staff to develop their problem-solving skills. Children carry water from one area of the garden to another in a bucket. They know that

p.3

need to do better?

the water is making their buckets heavy. Children ask staff for help to carry their buckets. Children play alongside each other well as they wash a ride-on car. They discuss with staff how they can dry the car and then find a solution together.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Risk assessments are not followed. Staff do not supervise children adequately. As a result, children are exposed to unnecessary risks when they play outside. The provider fails to provide Ofsted with information about changes to the committee in a timely manner. This means suitability checks are not carried out for people who run the pre-school. This potentially puts children's safety at risk. Despite this, staff know what to do when they have a concern about a child's safety at home or in the community. The manager has a robust procedure in place to recruit staff. The manager checks staff's ongoing suitability to work with children.

p.3

Due date

ensure that risk assessments, specifically for outside, are followed by all staff 24/03/2022

p.4

Due date

make sure that staff give adequate supervision to children when they play on equipment, specifically outside, so they are protected from unnecessary risk 24/03/2022

p.4

Due date

provide correct information to Ofsted in a timely manner about changes to individuals who are involved in running the pre-school 24/03/2022

p.4

Due date

improve group time experiences, so that these are appropriate and enjoyable for the individual needs and development of all children 07/04/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that staff give consistent messages that help children follow instructions 07/04/2022

p.4

Due date

make sure that staff give children opportunities to manage their personal care needs independently and that staff model good hygiene practices, specifically around nose wiping 24/03/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that staff recognise and respond appropriately when children are not engaged in learning. 07/04/2022

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 253347 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10138652 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Lowdham Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07432 775 965 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2015

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Lowdham Preschool is located in Lowdham, Nottingham and was registered in 1974. The pre-school employs 11 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications between levels 3 to 6. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 9am until 3pm. A lunch club is provided every day from 12pm until 1pm. A breakfast club is run from 7.30am until 9am. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children showed the inspector what they were doing during the inspection. 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 joint observations of a water play activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to three parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to two committee members during the inspection to understand their roles. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.6

Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

10 March 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7