Applegarth Day Nursery

Inspection of Applegarth Day Nursery Applegarth Day Nursery, Robey Close, Linby, NOTTINGHAM NG15 8AA

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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 Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children's care and learning needs are not effectively met. Outings are not managed well to ensure children's safety. Changes to the management and movement of staff between rooms has led to some staff not having the information they need to ensure children's care and learning is tailored to their individual needs. In addition, weak induction procedures and a lack of ongoing support and coaching means that staff are not able to fulfil their role competently.

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The provision is inadequate

Generally, children are happy. They independently select resources they want to play with. However, key-person arrangements and relationships with parents do not ensure staff have a secure awareness of children's individual needs. For example, some children are reliant on their comforters from home and use these at regular intervals throughout the day. During these times, children are distracted from their learning. In contrast, other children who need their comforters to help them settle to sleep are not given these soon enough.

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The provision is inadequate

Younger children enjoy listening to stories. They ask for staff to sit and read with them. Staff ask questions about what children can see on each page. Older children look at books and confidently tell visitors what will happen next in the story.

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need to do better?

n The leadership and management of the nursery is weak. Recent changes to the manager and staff team have not been managed effectively. The provider has relinquished some of her responsibilities to outsourced consultants and support services. This has had a detrimental effect on the quality of care provided and the day-to-day running of the nursery. n The key-person system is ineffective. Staff who work with children are not able to meet children's care and development needs, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children are cared for by staff who do not know them well enough. Staff do not know enough about children's individual care needs or their next steps in learning. Consequently, care arrangements are sometimes poor, and the curriculum provided for children is not challenging enough to help them make good progress. n The provider and management team have not considered all potential risks that

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need to do better?

children could be exposed to on nursery outings. They do not put measures in place to ensure children's safety is maintained throughout. For example, children travel with staff who have not completed first-aid training. This means staff may not know how to respond if a child becomes unwell or has an accident. n The provider and management team do not ensure staff induction processes are sufficiently robust. Consequently, new and less-experienced staff do not know

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need to do better?

4 October 2022 the nursery routines well enough. They do not fully understand their roles and responsibilities. Staff are not supported to understand the nursery's policies and procedures. n The management team does not have an effective process for staff supervision. They do not identify weaknesses in teaching and where staff need additional support. Staff do not receive the coaching they need to help them plan and deliver a curriculum that matches children's individual learning needs. n Despite some positive feedback from parents about the friendly feel of the nursery, staff do not establish strong enough partnerships with parents. Some parents say they are not kept informed about the care their child receives, such as what their children eat and who their key person is. n Some children recall what they have previously learned about the world around them. Children find a slug outside and know they need to rehome it near the

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need to do better?

pond where it is damp. Children hear new words that staff introduce, such as 'habitat'. However, staff interactions are not consistent throughout the nursery. Staff do not consistently engage children in meaningful learning experiences that are linked to their development needs. As a result, children's involvement in activities is sometimes poor, as they struggle to remain focused. Despite this, children generally behave well. They respond to instructions and are kind to their friends. n The provider has not notified Ofsted about changes to the use of the premises. An additional business operates from the same address as the nursery. Nevertheless, the provider has confirmed the suitability of adults associated with this business, who may have contact with children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Potential risks to children when on outings have not been carefully considered. Staff who are not trained to respond in the event of a medical emergency are left in sole charge of children. Staff provide care for children without being provided with all necessary information to enable them to fully support their well-being. Nonetheless, children play in a safe and secure environment. The manager ensures the suitability of staff and adults who could come into contact with children. Appropriate recruitment procedures are in place. Staff know the signs that may suggest a child is at risk of harm. They know how to respond to a child protection concern.

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Due date

ensure that there is an effective key- person system so staff can meet all children's care and learning needs and build relationships with their parents 04/11/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure all outings are thoroughly assessed to identify and take appropriate steps to make sure children are not exposed to risks 17/10/2022

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Due date

ensure all staff who are in sole charge of children, with particular regard to outings, hold a current paediatric first- aid certificate 17/10/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff receive a thorough induction so that they know and understand the nursery's policies and procedures and their roles and responsibilities 04/11/2022

p.4

Due date

implement an effective system of supervision and coaching to ensure staff are supported to deliver high-quality learning and development experiences for children 04/11/2022

p.4

Due date

establish better partnerships with parents so that there is a regular two- way flow of information shared about children, and ensure parents are kept informed about and involved in their child's care and learning. 04/11/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY311465 Local authority Nottinghamshire County Council Inspection number 10251733 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 218 Number of children on roll 79 Name of registered person Applegarth Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0115 9631296 Date of previous inspection 14 June 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Applegarth Day Nursery registered in 2005 and is located in Nottingham. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and two have qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, closing for one week between Christmas and New Year and for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.15am to 6.15pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children. It provides out-of-school care for older children.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Charlotte Whalley Claire Muddimer

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspectors discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the provision. n The interim manager joined the inspectors on a learning walk and talked to the inspectors about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children interacted with the inspectors during the inspection. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors carried out two joint observations of activities with the interim manager. n The inspectors spoke to six parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors spoke to staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

4 October 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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