Ash Park Childcare

Inspection of Ash Park Childcare The Stables, Marage Road, Thirsk YO7 1UN

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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

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The provision is inadequate

Children do not benefit from an ambitious curriculum that helps them to prepare well for future learning. Although leaders and staff understand what it is that they want children to learn, this is not implemented into practice. Children do not have enough physical space to move and make independent choices in their play. Rooms are divided up into small areas between toddlers and pre-school children. Pre- school children trip over equipment and furniture and do not have the space to follow their interests in play. For instance, children dress themselves in costumes and wear high heeled shoes. However, they do not have enough floor space to move around freely. Young children do not have enough space to play independently.

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The provision is inadequate

Interactions between staff and children are poor. Some staff sit and build their own towers with building blocks and say 'no' to children who try to add blocks to this. Staff need prompts to help with toileting accidents. This includes being asked to move toys and children out of the way while the area is cleaned. Due to changes in the staff team, young babies emotional needs are not met. There is inconsistent staff covering across each room. This does not help babies and young children to form close attachments to staff.

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need to do better?

n There are a number of failings in relation to the leadership and management of the setting. The management team are relatively new to their role and are aware of a number of issues at the setting. However, due to their roles being stretched across different areas of the setting, including cooking children's meals, they are unable to monitor and review practice. New staff do not receive a clear induction. Furthermore, some staff are not aware of the setting's fire safety procedures. This poses a risk to children. n Staff do not benefit from effective supervision sessions. Due to recent changes in the staff team, some staff hold responsibility as key person for all children. Leaders are flexible for parents and book children in for additional sessions. However, this has an impact on the setting's ratio requirements and staff, sometimes, work over ratio. This does not help to promote staff's well-being.

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need to do better?

n Older children benefit from forest school sessions on a regular basis and babies receive dance sessions to help promote their physical skills. However, the setting does not have an outdoor space. Babies and toddlers do not have access to regular outdoor play on a daily basis. n Children walk around with dummies in their mouth. Despite staff identifying that they would like children to learn to develop their communication and language skills, the volume of the room is too loud. Staff in both pre-school and toddler room read stories at the same time. Children are unable to listen and

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need to do better?

20 July 2022 concentrate. They become distracted from their learning. n Children, particularly toddlers, are not supported to develop their creativity and imaginative skills. For example, paper plates are placed in front of children sitting at the table. Staff stand above them and throw feathers onto the table, glue is placed in pots. When children turn to move away from the activity, staff start sticking feathers onto the plate then write children's names on the back. n Parents are provided with information about what activities their children have been doing at the setting and their care routines. They are encouraged to come into the setting to drop off and collect their children. Parents speak about the flexibility leaders and staff provide for them. Parents feel that there is information passed to them to help them to continue their children's learning at home. n Children are provided with healthy choices during mealtimes and learn to wash

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need to do better?

their hands. This helps children to develop an understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. n Young children's behaviour is not managed well. They pull each other's hair and squabble over toys and resources. Staff tell children to 'keep their hands to themselves'. This does not help children to understand how to manage their own feelings and behaviours.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Although leaders and staff complete safeguarding training, information is not routinely shared in relation to concerns about children's home life. This includes key people working directly with children. Leaders are not clear about how they ensure the ongoing suitability of staff. They do not ensure staff are clear about their responsibilities. Some staff are not aware of how to identity signs that a child or family are exposed to extreme views or behaviours. Leaders have safeguarding policies in place. They are aware of their responsibility to report any concerns in relation to staff's practice to the relevant authorities.

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Due date

improve staff's safeguarding knowledge and ensure important communication is shared between relevant people to help keep children safe 17/08/2022

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Due date

20 July 2022 organise the environment to ensure that there is enough physical space for children to move freely without falling or tripping over furniture and resources 17/08/2022

p.3

Due date

improve induction procedures to ensure that all new staff are aware of the setting's safety procedures, including fire evacuation procedures 17/08/2022

p.4

Due date

embed effective supervision sessions for staff and review staff's ongoing suitability, taking account of staff's well- being and review staff's current workload, including their key-worker responsibility 17/08/2022

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Due date

review ratio requirements to ensure staff work within ratio to provide children with the appropriate supervision levels they require 17/08/2022

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Due date

ensure all children benefit from daily outdoor exercise, particularly for babies and toddlers 17/08/2022

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Due date

improve staff interactions with children and provide an environment with reduced noise levels to help children to be able to listen and respond 17/08/2022

p.4

Due date

improve behaviour management and provide children with age-appropriate support to help them to manage their feelings and behaviours. 17/08/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2627732 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10245528 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 33 Number of children on roll 49 Name of registered person Parkinson, Stephanie

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reference number

Telephone number 07720548215 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Ash Park Childcare registered in 2021. It operates from 7.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday throughout the year. The provider offers funded early years education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 10 members of childcare staff, four of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above.

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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 spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum.

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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

20 July 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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