Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in Westmorland and Furness

Report for childcare on domestic premises

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Leaders have not informed Ofsted of changes to staff, as required. This means that some adults have not had all their checks completed in order to be deemed suitable to care for children. This potentially places children at risk. As soon as the provider was made aware of this matter they reduced the number of children being cared for at any one time. They ceased using the unchecked staff to care for children. They also provided Ofsted with all the information needed to complete suitability checks on staff.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children are happy and feel secure at this nurturing setting. They lift their arms up and run towards staff with huge smiles when they arrive. Staff ensured that children's emotional needs were met following the COVID-19 pandemic. They focused on building children's confidence when they returned to the nursery.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy the vast amount of time they spend outdoors being physically active. They pull large crates into a row to make a train and take long daily walks around the farm. Children experience things first-hand and remember what they have been taught. For instance, children talk about lambs needing to drink milk and the sun making the grass grow.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Children are independent and are learning to manage their own personal needs. They put their own coats on, peel and cut their fruit for snack, and confidently pour from a jug. Children enjoy interacting with each other and are taught how to share and how to manage their emotions.

p.2

need to do better?

n The setting leader misunderstood some of the requirements relating to her childcare on domestic premises registration with Ofsted. She was unaware that it is Ofsted's responsibility to establish the suitability of her staff. As a consequence, she had failed to notify Ofsted of changes to her staff team within the required timescales, and had deployed staff to care for children before they had been deemed suitable by Ofsted. The leader did, though, follow her own safe recruitment practices by completing Disclosure and Barring Service checks and obtaining references and other proof of suitability for all staff, which reduced the risk to children. n Staff model language well to children and extend their vocabulary. They describe to children what they are doing and introduce new words during everyday activities. Babies observe adults closely, learning how to talk by watching how their mouths move as they speak.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children are encouraged to sing songs and join in with nursery rhymes. Children listen to stories being read and anticipate what will happen next. This supports

p.2

need to do better?

21 March 2022 children's language development. n Staff understand what children know and can do, and what they need to learn next. However, staff do not always use this knowledge to consistently challenge children in their learning. n Parents speak highly of the communication they have with their child's key person. They appreciate the information that they are given about their child's well-being and what they are learning. Parents are happy with the service that the nursery offers and feel that their children have made good progress since starting there. n Staff use opportunities throughout the day to encourage children to talk about how they are feeling. For example, when two children both want the same chair, staff acknowledge how they are feeling and support them to come to a solution. This supports children to begin to manage their own feelings and behaviours. n Children are provided with a healthy diet. Children are keen to try new foods,

p.2

need to do better?

including foods from around the world. They eagerly ask what ingredients have gone into the food and talk about how they have grown their own vegetables. This supports children's understanding of a healthy diet. n Staff communicate effectively with the other settings that children attend. They share information about what the child is learning, their likes and dislikes. This ensures that children receive continuity of education and care practices. n Leaders ensure that the quality of the provision improves over time, through the effective coaching and mentoring that they offer to staff. Leaders build on staff's knowledge and skills by completing training opportunities and seeking support from other professionals. n The nursery provides a wide range of learning opportunities that meet the developmental needs of all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. All children make good progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

All staff understand their responsibility to keep children safe. They have a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate children are at risk of abuse. Staff know what actions to take if there are any concerns about children's welfare. Leaders carry out daily risk assessments of the indoor and outdoor environment to ensure that children's safety is paramount. The leader now understands her responsibility to notify Ofsted of any changes to those living and/or working on the premises. She is now fully aware that staff cannot work in ratio with children until Ofsted has deemed them suitable. Staff understand the wider safeguarding issues that could make them unsuitable to work with children, and their responsibility to report it.

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff have had relevant checks to confirm they are suitable to work with children and be counted in ratios. 04/04/2022

p.4

should:

n support and extend children's learning by ensuring that staff's interactions with them consistently build on what children know and can do.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY555098 Local authority Cumbria Inspection number 10174675 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 67

p.5

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Country Tots was registered in 2018. The setting employs 10 members of childcare staff, of whom eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays, family holidays and two weeks at Christmas.

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 inspector observed the staff's interactions with the children and the impact of these on children's learning. n The manager and deputy manager took the inspector on a learning walk and explained the intentions for children's learning. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation, including checking the suitability of the staff. n Discussions and meetings were held with the manager and staff during the inspection. n Some parents spoke to the inspector and shared their views about the nursery. n The deputy manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during snack time. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection.

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

21 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