Pier Lodge Day Nursery

Inspection of Pier Lodge Day Nursery Thames Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6JP

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are welcomed into a warm, nurturing environment. They demonstrate that they are happy and enjoy their time at the nursery, which shows that they feel safe and secure in their surroundings. They explore and make independent choices from a variety of activities that interest them. Children form positive relationships with their key person and regularly seek them out to engage them in their play. Children demonstrate a keen sense of belonging and become confident, independent learners.

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy collecting leaves from the garden and bringing them back into the classroom. Once inside, children paint and print their leaves on paper. They proudly show visitors their pictures and explain how they created them. Children receive plenty of praise and encouragement to complete tasks. Staff reward them with a 'high five', celebrating their achievements. This helps to raise children's self- esteem.

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy using their imagination as they pretend to be superheroes. They include staff in their play as they pretend to freeze them with their 'superpowers'. Staff play along and only move when they are unfrozen, much to the children's delight. Other children enjoy making meals for visitors in the role play kitchen, explaining that they need to be careful, as the food is hot.

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need to do better?

n The provider has not supplied all the necessary information about new company directors to Ofsted in a timely manner. This is a breach of requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. However, the directors do not have unsupervised contact with children or have sole responsibility in making decisions that affect children's well-being. n Since the last inspection, the nursery has undergone significant changes. The new management team has a clear vision for the future. It has made many changes following the new ownership, which are still in their infancy. n Partnerships with parents are a high priority for leaders and staff. Parents report feeling supported well by the staff team. They are pleased with the progress that their children make. Staff work closely with parents to identify children's interests and forthcoming family events. They use this information, alongside

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need to do better?

their own assessment, to plan activities that build on children's experiences and learning. As a result, children begin to understand what makes them unique and develop positive attitudes towards different cultures and beliefs. n Older children enjoy time outside in the garden. They develop their physical skills as they run and play with their friends. However, some staff do not fully support children's play and learning when they are outside. For example, some

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need to do better?

31 October 2022 staff stand back and supervise children rather than interacting and engaging with them. As a result, children's learning is not enriched. n Staff speak a variety of different languages that reflect the culturally diverse area. They use these skills to support families and children who speak English as an additional language. Children benefit from opportunities to see or hear their home languages during their play and learning. n Children enjoy mark making in a variety of ways. In the garden, children use chalk to create shapes and patterns on the rubber floor. Inside, children learn to write the letters of their names on their pictures. As a result, children demonstrate good hand-eye coordination and pencil control. n Occasionally, some activities lack opportunities for children to share their ideas. For example, staff plan to support children's early recognition of letters and their sounds. They ask the children to identify objects beginning with a sound. Staff

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need to do better?

then provide children with the answers before they have had the time to think and express their own responses. n Children behave well. Staff have a consistent approach to supporting children's positive behaviour. When children need reminders, staff are on hand to help them understand what is expected of their behaviour. Children are given time to prepare for changes during the day, as staff provide timely reminders. This means that children can bring their play to a satisfactory end and are prepared for what comes next.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff know their responsibilities to safeguard the children in their care. Effective deployment means that children are well supervised and cared for. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge of the signs and indicators that could mean a child is at risk of harm or abuse. They know how to report concerns to the relevant agencies about a child's welfare. Staff understand the procedure to follow should they have concerns about a member of staff.

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Due date

ensure that new directors provide the relevant information to Ofsted so that suitability checks can be completed in a timely way. 28/11/2022

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should:

n develop staff interactions with children further, to support and extend children's learning and development, particularly outdoors n help staff develop their questioning skills so that children think for themselves and have time to respond.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490819 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 10259225 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 120 Number of children on roll 202 Name of registered person Pier Lodge Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01375 393055 Date of previous inspection 20 February 2018

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Information about this early years setting

Pier Lodge Day Nursery registered in 2015. The nursery employs 39 members of childcare staff. Of these, 36 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 inspectors viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspectors completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Staff spoke to the inspectors during the inspection. n The inspectors spoke with the nominated individual/registered individual about the leadership and management of 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

31 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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