Play Away Day Nurseries Ltd

Inspection of Play Away Day Nurseries Ltd 1,3,5 Chapel Road, West End, Southampton SO30 3FE

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are not assured. Staff do not follow policies with regard to babies' safe sleeping arrangements and meeting children's dietary requirements at mealtimes.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children arrive happy and separate easily from their parents. They access a range of opportunities and resources to support all areas of development. Children demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. For example, they persevere as they make their own 'fireworks' play dough. They scoop and mix the ingredients together, which help to develop their physical skills. In addition, young babies enhance their sensory skills by playing with natural objects, including fir cones and wooden shapes. They smile and show curiosity as they explore the textures.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Communication and language are a focus for the nursery. For example, older children listen attentively to familiar seasonal stories. They confidently predict what will happen next, which sparks conversations about staying safe. Children join in with spontaneous singing across the nursery, which helps to widen their vocabulary. Older children have a lending library, which includes a range of books supporting different languages. Plans are in place to develop this scheme throughout the nursery.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Staff value the importance of sharing ideas with parents to further support children's learning at home. For example, families recently took part in an autumnal walk, talking about the colours and seasonal changes that children notice.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the nursery has been acquired by a larger childcare company. The management team have worked hard to address the issues raised at the previous inspection. However, safeguarding procedures are not consistently followed by all staff. For example, sleeping arrangements for babies do not follow national guidance or company policy. This puts babies at risk. n There are dietary management systems in place. However, these are not always followed, or understood by staff. Meals are not checked to ensure they are in line with the dietary needs of individual children. This puts babies and children at risk. n Induction is not comprehensive for redeployed staff working in the nursery. Some staff are not familiar with the company's policies and procedures. As a result, they do not receive the support they need to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. n Leaders do not have an effective system in place for monitoring staff to check

p.2

need to do better?

their ongoing suitability. For example, some senior staff have not had

p.2

need to do better?

4 November 2022 supervision opportunities to ensure their practice remains current and to explore any issues that may affect their role. n Staff do not consistently promote good hygiene practice across the nursery. For example, at lunchtime, older babies wash their hands and faces. They then use the same cloths to wipe the tables and then wipe their faces again. This does not ensure their comfort and well-being. Older children are not always encouraged to wash their hands before snack time. In addition, children are not reminded to put their hands over their mouths when they cough or sneeze. This does not support the good health of children. n Staff plan the curriculum well. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. Staff provide children with a range of learning opportunities, so they are confident and independent in their play.

p.2

need to do better?

n Children move freely indoors and out, choosing what they would like to do. However, occasionally, the daily routine for older babies does not meet their needs, as they sometimes have to sit for long periods. For example, before lunch they join a singing session, then move to the tables and have to wait for their meal. As a result, some children become restless. n Children behave well. They have positive relationships with their key persons and friends. Children show kindness and courtesy to one another. They cooperate well during their play. n The management team work well with other professionals and providers. For example, they have good links with the community nurses. This helps to support staff's knowledge and understanding so they can plan to meet the individual care needs of children. n Parental partnership is effective. Parents say they know their children's key persons and what they will be learning next. The management team have put

p.3

need to do better?

effective systems in place. This ensures parents receive up-to-date information about their children's progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff do not follow policies and procedures relating to safe sleeping arrangements for babies or dietary management requirements. This puts children at risk. The management team and staff have a good understanding of reporting safeguarding concerns in line with local procedures. Staff receive regular training and the management team check their understanding through quizzes and discussions during meetings. They have knowledge of county lines and domestic violence. As a result, staff recognise the indicators of abuse and know the procedures to follow if they have concerns about children in their care. Most staff hold a paediatric first- aid qualification, which helps to ensure they respond appropriately to accidents.

p.3

Due date

implement effective monitoring systems to ensure policies and procedures are followed by all staff to ensure the safety of babies and children at sleep and mealtimes 18/11/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure the induction process is comprehensive for staff transferring in from other settings 18/11/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure staff's ongoing suitability is assured at all times 18/11/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that good hygiene practices are consistent across the nursery. 18/11/2022

p.4

should:

n review the routine and improve transitions at lunchtimes for the older babies, so that children have valuable, meaningful learning experiences at all times.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 509572 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10218057 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 100 Number of children on roll 144 Name of registered person Play Away Day Nurseries Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 023 80466563 Date of previous inspection 2 December 2021

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Play Away Day Nurseries Ltd is now part of the Family First Nursery Group. It originally opened in 1997 and operates from a large site, consisting of three houses, in the West End area of Southampton. The nursery is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery receives funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 22 members of staff, most of whom hold early years qualifications at either level 2, 3 or 4.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager, manager and inspectors completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspectors carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors. 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 looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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

4 November 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