Explore and Learn 2

Inspection of Explore and Learn 2 20 Main Street, Glenfield, Leicester, Leicestershire LE3 8DG

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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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are significantly compromised. The environment created by staff exposes children to serious hazards. This endangers children's well-being. Staff do not assess risks and do not appear to notice issues, such as nails sticking out of broken radiator covers and loose electric plug sockets. The manager and staff do not have sufficient knowledge and understanding of child protection. They do not recognise or record the signs and symptoms that indicate a child may be at risk of harm. When potentially serious incidents occur in the setting, poor record keeping means that staff do not report the incidents to the relevant professionals. Children are not supervised appropriately during the day. They fall and injury themselves without staff being aware. Children remain in wet clothing for long periods of time as staff do not notice they have had a toilet accident.

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The provision is inadequate

Children receive a very poor quality of education as staff lack the knowledge and skills to help them develop. Staff do not provide planned activities or experiences and the resources available for children are not appropriate for their age. Children do not develop close relationships with staff or others. Staff do not know children's interests, care routines, or their existing knowledge and skills. Therefore, children's needs are not met. Children spend their time wandering around the room unoccupied, silent and distressed. Staff do not comfort children when they are unhappy, and they therefore seek comfort from visitors.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children do not experience established daily routines. Staff do not promote hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. The sheets where children sleep are dirty and unhygienic. Children do not have daily access to outside play to develop their physical skills. Children cry for long periods of time as they are overtired and staff have not allowed them to have a nap. Children do not know what behaviour is acceptable as staff do not have any expectations or boundaries for them. They throw heavy wooden resources around the room and fight over toys.

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need to do better?

n Staff lack understanding and knowledge about how children learn. They do not gather information about what children know or can do. Staff do not plan any learning opportunities for children and do not consider how to close any gaps in their learning. Children cannot make choices in their play in the poorly organised environment. Children under two years are not cared for in a separate area as required. Children under two years and children under three years all share a small room with limited resources. This means that children under three years have access to resources that are not appropriate for their age. For example, they put magnet toys in their mouths.

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need to do better?

31 March 2022 n Staff do not identify when children may need additional support, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children with SEND and who speak English as an additional language are not given enough attention by staff. Therefore, these children cannot access the curriculum. They spend their time sat in the same place for long periods of time such as at a table, unable to play or communicate with others. n Staff do not interact with children well. They speak to children who are more confident. Staff do not model language for children. When children play with sand for a short amount time, staff do not repeat key words or talk about what the children are doing. This leads to children using very little spoken language. Older children sit in a circle and sing the hello song. Staff ask children some limited questions such as 'are you happy?'. Staff do not support children to listen

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need to do better?

to others talking, meaning children shout over each other. Therefore, some children choose not to speak or share their ideas and become upset with their head in their hands. n Staff do not manage children's behaviour. Children push each other and speak to each other in unkind ways. For example, shouting 'get off' when they want a toy. They draw on walls and use toys to repeatedly hit the plastic window on the play kitchen. Staff either do not notice, or do not help children to manage their feelings and behaviour. Staff do not react even when the behaviour makes other children upset. n Staff do not support children to become independent as they do not provide the opportunity to try things for themselves. At snack time, staff give children drinks already poured in beakers. In some instances, milk has been sat on the side for a long period of time. Staff do not make fresh drinking water available for children and do not make sure they wash their hands before eating. Children

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need to do better?

cannot make choices at mealtimes and they frequently use their hands to eat because no cutlery is made available. Staff do not consistently offer food for children that promotes a healthy diet. They do not prepare food to a safe standard by checking its temperature. n Leaders do not know the requirements of the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. Therefore, they breach a number of these requirements putting children's safety at risk. They do not ensure there are enough, qualified and experienced, staff to supervise children. They do not check staff are suitable to work directly with children. The manager does not reflect on the experiences of children. Poor practice is not challenged and no training is provided for staff. n Staff communicate with parents and carers about their child's day, although this information is not always accurate. Staff share pictures with parents of some

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need to do better?

things children have been doing at the setting.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager, who is the designated lead for safeguarding, does not understand how to identify children who may be at risk of harm. Reports of serious incidents in the setting are not identified or reported to the appropriate professionals. Staff do

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Safeguarding

31 March 2022 not have a good understanding of the safeguarding policies and procedures. These policies do not contain the accurate information or the correct phone numbers on them for staff to know who and where to raise concerns. Staff do not accurately record and monitor accidents and existing injuries. Furthermore, staff do not assess risks in the setting and do not identify or minimise serious hazards. The manager does not check that staff are suitable to work with children. There are not enough staff to sufficiently supervise children. Staff do not know where they keep first-aid equipment and medication, and therefore do not check or help children when they become ill. This lack of appropriate knowledge and action from leaders and staff mean children are at risk of harm in the setting.

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Due date

ensure children's behaviour is managed appropriately and they are supported to understand what is expected of them 21/04/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure staff and leaders adequately implement the correct procedures in the event of a child protection concern or incident 21/04/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure all those working with children have a secure knowledge of the safeguarding policy and procedure, including the possible signs and symptoms of abuse, to be able to identify children who may be at risk of harm 21/04/2022

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Due date

ensure children's good health is prioritised; take steps to ensure good hygiene with particular regard to sleeping arrangements and mealtimes; and follow appropriate procedures for if a child becomes ill 21/04/2022

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Due date

ensure staff and leaders identify and assess risk and take all reasonable steps to reduce potential hazards and risks 21/04/2022

p.4

Due date

31 March 2022 ensure key persons working with children understand and meet the needs of every child in their care, including children who may need additional support 21/04/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure leaders check the ongoing suitability of all staff working with children 21/04/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure staff have the appropriate qualifications, skills and knowledge to implement a curriculum that supports children to make good progress and put timely support in place to improve poor staff practice 21/04/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure the maximum number of children being cared for does not exceed the ratio requirements 21/04/2022

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Due date

deploy adequately experienced and trained staff to ensure children are supervised and supported at all times 21/04/2022

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Due date

ensure every child has access to outdoor play and activities every day 21/04/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure the indoor space is organised in a way that adheres to space requirements and meets the needs of children effectively, including a separate room for children aged under two years 21/04/2022

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Due date

ensure relevant information about staff and children is obtained, stored and shared appropriately 21/04/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure that drinking water is available for children at all times and that food is prepared safely 21/04/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure the safety of children in the event of an emergency, including adequately placed fire extinguishers, safe use of ovens and potentially hazardous equipment. 21/04/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure staff develop the skills and knowledge needed to support children's communication and language development 21/04/2022

p.6

Due date

ensure appropriate learning opportunities are provided for children that take into account their interests and abilities 21/04/2022

p.6

Due date

ensure staff find out what all children already know and can do and have clear intentions for identifying and closing any gaps in their learning and experiences. 21/04/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2641298 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10232620 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 39 Number of children on roll 34 Name of registered person Edens, Cody

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reference number

Telephone number 0116 2969555 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Explore and Learn 2 was registered in June 2021. It operates from Glenfield in Leicester and serves the local community. The setting opens Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of Christmas week. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm and offer a variety of childcare packages. A maximum of 42 children may attend the setting at any one time.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the setting and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The deputy manager and inspector conducted a brief learning walk together, discussing the learning intention for children and how the environment is arranged. n The inspector observed staff and children of all ages through the setting. n The inspector held discussions with staff and leaders regularly during the inspection. n Parents and carers views were taken into consideration. n A sample of documents were reviewed, including paediatric first-aid certificates, suitability checks, and safeguarding policies and procedures.

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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

31 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.

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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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