Puddleducks & POSH Ltd

Inspection of Puddleducks & POSH Ltd 20 Rugby Road, LEAMINGTON SPA, Warwickshire CV32 6DG

p.1

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

Children's safety is not assured because managers lack oversight of safeguarding. There are weaknesses in safeguarding procedures because staff and managers do not know how to identify and respond to child protection concerns. Managers do not ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times. Older children leave their playroom to go to the bathroom where they cannot be seen or heard by staff. At times, children are alone with people who have not had their suitability checked by managers. This puts children at risk.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children lack motivation to learn because staff do not plan and provide children with activities that capture their interests and challenge them. Two- and three- year-old children wait a long time to take their turn at painting. During this time, they become bored and climb on furniture. They struggle to share role-play equipment as they snatch off their friends. Older children are provided with a variety of resources. However, staff are often preoccupied with housekeeping tasks and do not encourage children to engage in meaningful play and learning. As a result, some children wander aimlessly around the room and struggle to entertain themselves. That said, babies are settled and are happy in their environment. Staff talk to them about a spider they recently saw. They support children to find a spider in a book to help them make links and understand the concepts of new words.

p.2

need to do better?

n During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant impact on staffing. There are ongoing changes to the leadership and management of the nursery. As a result, managers have a poor oversight of the quality of provision, which has significantly declined since the last inspection. n Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that staff do not receive the support they require to help them fulfil their roles and responsibilities. Managers do not monitor staff closely enough to identify weaknesses in teaching and practice. As a result, staff lack the guidance and support they need, in order to raise the overall quality of provision and improve the outcomes for children. n Staff do not receive sufficient training to enable them to identify and respond to signs of abuse or neglect. The management team lack knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures. This means that they are unable to

p.2

need to do better?

ensure that they follow the correct procedures in the event of a concern arising about a child or an allegation being made against a member of staff. This means that children are not safeguarded. n Managers do not monitor the deployment of staff to ensure that children remain safe, and their needs are met. Staff are not always alert to children who climb on furniture. Staff provide children with resources that have increased risks to

p.2

need to do better?

26 April 2022 their safety, such as glass bottles and long rolls of string with scissors. However, these are not appropriately supervised which compromises children's safety. n Managers do not ensure that required records are maintained. They have failed to maintain a record of the vetting checks completed for staff to ensure their suitability to work with children. Staff whose suitability has not been checked by the provider are able to have unsupervised contact with children. Accident and injury records do not provide sufficient details to ensure parents are accurately informed of their child's well-being. This impacts on the safeguarding of children. n The key-person system is not effective. Staff do not have sufficient knowledge about children to meet their individual needs. Some children receive no interaction from staff and struggle to understand instructions. Staff do not know what languages children speak at home. This means that staff do not put

p.2

need to do better?

effective communication strategies in place, in order to meet their needs. n The quality of education that children receive is poor. The curriculum lacks challenge for children and they are not well-enough prepared for the next stage in their learning. Staff do not always know what children need to learn next. As a result, some children wander aimlessly around the environment and are not engaged in meaningful activities. Staff do not support them to make good enough progress in their learning and development. n Children are not supported to learn how to behave appropriately. They frequently take toys off their friends and struggle to share. At lunchtime, children become frustrated when they are unable to obtain staff's attention. They throw their plate across the table. Staff do not address children's behaviour to help them to understand what is expected of them. n Children's good health is compromised because hygiene procedures are weak.

p.3

need to do better?

Although staff take children to wash their hands before mealtimes, they return to sit on the carpet first. During this time, they touch the floor and resources, and put their hands in their mouths, before going to sit down for their food. Staff do not wash their hands when handling food. They do not provide children with plates at snack time, meaning children eat from the table. n The arrangements for supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are not effective. Staff liaise with other professionals to identify targets and strategies for children. However, weaknesses in planning mean that these are not consistently implemented. As a result, these children do not receive enough support to help them make progress in their development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff and managers do not complete sufficient training to keep their knowledge of safeguarding issues up to date. They are unable to identify signs that could indicate a child is at risk of harm. Staff are not aware of their responsibilities with regard to the 'Prevent' duty guidance. Although there is a named lead practitioner for safeguarding, they lack knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Managers do not know the correct procedure to follow if an allegation is made against a member of staff. Record keeping is weak and

p.3

Safeguarding

26 April 2022 managers fail to ensure that records of vetting checks are maintained for all staff. Managers do not monitor staff closely enough. The deployment of staff means that children are not adequately supervised at all times. At times, children have unsupervised contact with adults whose suitability has not been checked.

p.3

Due date

ensure that all staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues to enable them to identify and respond to signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity 11/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that the lead practitioner for safeguarding attends a child protection training course that enables them to provide advice and guidance to other staff and identify, understand and respond appropriately to information of a safeguarding nature 11/05/2022

p.4

Due date

improve knowledge and understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff 11/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that people whose suitability has not been checked do not have unsupervised contact with children 11/05/2022

p.4

Due date

maintain accurate records of the vetting checks that have been completed for all staff, including the criminal records check reference number, the date a check was obtained and details of who obtained it 11/05/2022

p.4

Due date

improve the deployment of staff to ensure that children are adequately supervised at all times and to meet their individual needs 11/05/2022

p.4

Due date

26 April 2022 improve the use of risk assessment to ensure that all risks to children's health and safety are identified and action is taken to remove or minimise risks in a timely manner, with particular regard to resources and activities that are accessible to children 11/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that written records for accidents or injuries are accurately completed with sufficient detail about the child, the injury sustained and first-aid treatment provided 11/05/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure that key persons have a sufficient knowledge and understanding of every child in order to provide tailored care to meet their individual needs 11/05/2022

p.5

Due date

implement effective behaviour management strategies to support children to understand staff's expectations for their behaviour in order to keep them safe 11/05/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure that all staff receive effective supervision which provides them with support, coaching and training to help them to understand all aspects of their roles and responsibilities and raises the quality of teaching to promote the interests of all children 11/05/2022

p.5

Due date

improve hygiene procedures to promote the good health of children 11/05/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure that there are effective arrangements in place for supporting children with SEND. 11/05/2022

p.5

Due date

26 April 2022 implement an ambitious and well- sequenced curriculum that provides challenge for children and supports them to make progress in their learning and development 31/05/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure that planning takes account of children's individual needs, interests and stages of development so that every child consistently receives challenging and enjoyable experiences to support their learning and development 31/05/2022

p.6

Due date

provide support for children who speak English as an additional language so that staff are able to respond to them, help them to communicate and meet their individual needs. 31/05/2022

p.6

Setting details

Unique reference number EY369198 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10231659 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.7

Registers

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

p.7

inspection

Total number of places 90 Number of children on roll 139 Name of registered person Puddleducks & P.O.S.H. Limited

p.7

reference number

Telephone number 01926 422112 Date of previous inspection 7 March 2017

p.7

Information about this early years setting

Puddleducks and POSH Ltd registered in 2008. It is located in the Leamington Spa area of Warwickshire. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. There are 20 members of childcare staff employed. Of these, one holds a qualified teacher status and 14 hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides early education funding for two-, three-, and four-year-old children.

p.7

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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The deputy manager, nursery director and inspector completed a learning walk to gather information about how the provision and curriculum are organised. n The deputy manager, nursery director and inspector carried out a joint observation to evaluate the quality of practice. n Parents and children spoke to the inspector and gave their views of the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors to assess the impact of this on children's learning. n The inspector held a meeting with the deputy manager and nursery director and

p.8

Inspection activities

looked at relevant documentation and evidence of staff suitability.

p.8

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.8

Inspection activities

26 April 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.8

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.9

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.9

Inspection activities

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

p.9

Inspection activities

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

p.9