Setting EY370828

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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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

The provider's and staff's weak knowledge and understanding of safeguarding puts children's safety significantly at risk. The provider does not know the correct processes to follow when an allegation against a member of staff is made, including the local safeguarding partner procedures. In addition, some staff focus on a desired outcome, such as being ready for lunch, rather than children's individual needs. For example, children are moved abruptly from one chair to another without care and consideration for the child, as staff focus on the need for children's feet to be touching the floor.

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The provision is inadequate

Older children's learning needs are not consistently met, as staff focus their attention on the very young children. Older children become disengaged and restless. For example, they run in circles over and over again with low-level engagement in activities.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these weakness, children are generally occupied. For example, in the garden children create an obstacle course that tests their balancing skills. They are delighted when they succeed, especially when it becomes more challenging. Children take part in activities that reflect their community and events of the world around them. For example, children have marmalade sandwiches and the Queen's favourite lunches as part of the week's menu. They talk about fish and chips and that they were the Queen's 'favourite' tea as they eat their lunch.

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need to do better?

n Children are not consistently supervised due to the poor deployment of staff. For example, at times, children are out of sight and hearing of staff. This does not ensure children's safety. n The deployment of staff impacts on the quality of education the children receive. Very young children have their needs met well. They make good progress in their learning and development, and staff are knowledgeable about their next steps. For example, they support children as they begin to learn to walk. However, older children, at times, have their learning interrupted so that staff can meet the needs of the younger children. For example, older children are interrupted mid story and told to wait because staff 'need to look after the baby'. n Not all of the required records were available during the inspection. Although there is a limited impact on children's safety as the records have been seen by the provider, this demonstrates the provider's lack of knowledge of the

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need to do better?

requirement to ensure that records are accessible for inspection. n Staff continuously question children when trying to engage with them. They do not leave children time to process and then respond before asking the next question. This discourages children from engaging with staff and developing

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need to do better?

12 September 2022 their learning further. n Staff do not consistently manage transitions well. For example, children are left sitting at the table for a long period of time before lunch arrives. This leads to children becoming bored and restless. When older children transition to the art room, they end up waiting noisily in the same room that children are sleeping in. This then disturbs the sleeping children. n There is, at times, poor communication between staff. For example, staff contradict each other during lunchtime which leads to confused children who are not sure what is happening around them. n Staff take part in regular supervision meetings. They comment positively on the provider's focus on their well-being and their ability to notice if a member of staff is in need of support. However, supervisions are not effective enough at improving the quality of teaching. n The provider's registration changed in January 2022. As a result, the provider

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need to do better?

must now ensure Ofsted suitability checks are completed for all staff before they can be left unsupervised with children. This is different to their previous registration. However, the provider assured the inspector that they do carry out their own suitability checks.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider and staff's knowledge of safeguarding is poor. They are not aware of the changes to the local safeguarding service or the importance of sharing safeguarding concerns with children's next provision, such as schools. Some staff demonstrate that they do not understand issues, such as radicalisation, county lines and grooming. This impacts on their ability to keep children safe from harm. Some staff are not fully aware of the local authority designated officer (LADO) and how to report concerns to external agencies in line with local safeguarding processes. Some staff feel that they have not yet received training in safeguarding. The provider does not demonstrate a secure knowledge of how to manage allegations in line with local safeguarding processes. When an allegation is made, they do report this to the LADO; however, they carry out the investigation and reach a conclusion without consulting them.

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Due date

12 September 2022 implement a policy and procedures to safeguard children. The policy should be in line with the guidance and procedures of the local safeguarding partners 27/09/2022

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Due date

train all staff to understand the safeguarding policy and procedures to enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity and to respond in a timely manner 27/09/2022

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Due date

ensure children are well supervised and deploy staff effectively to meet ratio requirements and the care and learning needs of all children 27/09/2022

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Due date

ensure children's behaviour is managed in an appropriate way 27/09/2022

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Due date

implement effective procedures to ensure that people looking after children are suitable to fulfil the requirements of their role 27/09/2022

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Due date

ensure that information on vetting processes, including criminal record checks, are recorded. 27/09/2022

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Due date

ensure staff provide a purposefully planned curriculum considering different ages and stages of children's development to help all children make good progress in their learning 10/10/2022

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Due date

improve the quality of teaching, ensuring staff provide children with enough thinking time to formulate answers to questions and to engage in dialogue with them 10/10/2022

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Due date

12 September 2022 develop the daily routine, especially with regard to transition times, to ensure children's needs are consistently met 10/10/2022

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Due date

provide effective support, training and guidance for staff and ensure it is tailored to their individual needs, to improve the quality of education for children. 10/10/2022

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY370828 Local authority Southampton Inspection number 10208751 Type of provision Childcare on 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 24 Number of children on roll 24

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 7 December 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Highfield Nursery School re-registered in 2008 as a limited company. It is in the Highfield area of Southampton. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery employs 10 members of staff to work with the children. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 5 and five hold a level 2 or above qualification.

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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 We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager explained the curriculum intentions to the inspector during the learning walk. n The inspector took part in discussions with the leadership team and staff during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector observed staff and children throughout the day. n The inspector sampled relevant documents, including Disclosure and Barring Service records.

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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

12 September 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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