Cleverkidz

Inspection of Cleverkidz Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 5JB

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children are not consistently provided with a curriculum that challenges and extends the learning. Staff continue to develop their teaching skills to support them to stimulate children's curiosity and involvement in the play, to build on what they already know and can do. The quality of interactions between the staff and children is therefore variable. Furthermore, staff caring for the youngest children are not always effectively deployed to support their developmental needs when they are cared for alongside older children. Opportunities for the children to develop their own play and ideas are also restricted. For example, resources to support children's imaginary role play in the pretend playhouse are minimal, and there is limited sand in the sand tray.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they are settled and happy spending time participating in the activities provided. Children wash toy vehicles in water and use paint and lollipop sticks to make marks on paper. Older children use paint to create their footprints on large pieces of paper and are able to count their steps. Younger children have some opportunities to develop their language skills as they join in singing activities with the staff. They move their bodies to the associated actions of the songs. Children develop their hand-to-eye coordination skills as they build towers using the plastic bricks.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider and manager are continuing to receive ongoing support and advice from the local authority. They demonstrate a willingness to make further improvements to enhance the quality of care and education provided for the children. This includes the planned recruitment of further qualified staff, the refurbishment of some areas of the nursery, and the purchasing of additional resources to support the children's learning and development. n The provider and manager have taken appropriate steps to meet the majority of the actions raised at the last inspection. For example, on the day of the inspection, staff-to-child ratios were appropriately maintained, the hours of children's attendance are now accurately recorded, and the children were supervised while eating. Additionally, changes have been made to the curriculum, including the training of staff to enhance their teaching skills. However, at the time of the inspection, these changes had not been fully

p.2

need to do better?

embedded into practice. n Staff do not consistently implement the recently revised curriculum and the quality of their teaching is variable. They do not spontaneously build on what children know and can already do. For example, when children become interested in their play, staff do not always use this opportunity to challenge their thinking and motivate their curiosity. Furthermore, opportunities for the

p.2

need to do better?

23 August 2022 children to use additional resources to develop their own play and ideas are restricted, and staff working with the youngest children are not always deployed effectively to support their ongoing learning. n Overall, children are provided with a healthy diet, including having access to fresh drinking water and opportunities to exercise in the fresh air. For example, older children demonstrate their climbing skills as they climb up the climbing wall on the climbing frame. However, on the day of the inspection, children were only provided with a biscuit for their snack, though the inspector was told that fresh fruit is always made available to the children. n Staff support children to develop appropriate hygiene routines, such as the importance of washing their hands before snack and after using the toilet. However, on the day of the inspection, staff were observed carrying a potty containing uncovered urine across the nursery room to enable them to dispose

p.2

need to do better?

of the urine in the toilet. This demonstrates inappropriate practice and could pose a risk to the children's health if the urine is spilt on them. n Staff support children to manage their behaviour. Younger children are reminded to share and are learning to understand simple instructions. Older children learn the 'golden rules', such as to use indoor voices and to be kind to their friends. n Staff provide opportunities to broaden children's understanding of the local community. Children are taken on trips to the splash park, and observe different animals during visits to the pet shop.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff demonstrate a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. They understand referral procedures and their responsibilities to keep children safe from harm. This includes what action to take if an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff. Designated safeguarding leads and the staff complete regular child protection training to update their knowledge and skills. Management follows appropriate recruitment and induction procedures. Suitability checks are completed to ensure all staff working with the children are suitable. The premises is secure and regular checks are completed to identify and minimise any potential risk of harm to children.

p.3

Due date

23 August 2022 improve the implementation of the curriculum, including staff's interactions with the children, to ensure all children receive consistently meaningful and challenging learning experiences that build on what they already know and can do 30/09/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure staff are deployed effectively to support the developmental needs of all children, especially the learning opportunities provided for babies when they are cared for alongside older children 09/09/2022

p.4

Due date

implement appropriate hygiene routines, particularly with regard to the disposal of waste. 09/09/2022

p.4

should:

n extend the range of resources and activities provided to enable all children to enhance their motivation to explore and develop their own play and ideas.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY278278 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10231613 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 79 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Cleverkidz Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01582 868000 Date of previous inspection 24 February 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Cleverkidz registered in 2004 and is situated within the grounds of Tithe Farm Lower School. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualification at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and two weeks at Christmas. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued 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 across all areas of the nursery to understand how the early years curriculum is organised. n The inspector observed staff's interactions with the children during indoor and outdoor activities, and assessed the impact this has on the children's progress and achievements. n The provider, manager, staff and children engaged in discussions with the inspector at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the children's progress and achievements. n A sample of the nursery documents was reviewed by the inspector. This includes evidence of staff suitability and training. n The inspector took account of the views of parents by speaking to them.

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

23 August 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