Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in Blackburn with Darwen

Report for childcare on domestic premises

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Leaders have failed to ensure that all weaknesses identified at the last inspection have been addressed. This has a significant impact on the quality of education children receive. Performance management systems are not effective in addressing significant weaknesses in staff practice. Leaders talk passionately about what they want children to learn. Staff value the training and support they receive. However, staff are still not confident to deliver the intended curriculum. As a result, practice remains weak, and interactions from some staff are of poor quality. Children do not make good progress from their starting points.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Staff who work with older children often take on a supervisory role when interacting with children. They dampen children's curiosity and efforts to start interesting conversations. For example, as children use their imagination and ask 'when do babies turn into lizards?', staff close down the potential to have meaningful discussions. Consequently, children give up easily and stop talking about the things that interest them. The quality of interactions across the other age groups of children is generally appropriate. Most staff engage purposefully with children in a variety of different activities. However, at times, staff ask closed questions in quick succession without allowing time for children to respond.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are at risk of harm because leaders have failed to identify some risks throughout the nursery. Leaders have not acted upon the advice of other professionals, such as the fire service. Furthermore, risks associated with electronic devices have not been considered. Nevertheless, children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the environment. They share resources well together and show kind behaviours as they offer their friends a drink at mealtime.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have not ensured that performance management systems are effective in improving staff practice throughout the nursery. Staff regularly receive support and training from leaders. However, staff do not have sufficient knowledgeable or skills to deliver the curriculum that leaders intend for children. n Staff do not consider children's next steps in learning or support these through well-thought-out activities. Staff are not clear about what they want children to learn through the activities they provide, resulting in activities not building on children's knowledge and skills. Furthermore, agreed support strategies that have been implemented by the nursery's special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) are not consistently embedded. At times, older children appear subdued and bored. n Staff who work with younger children meet their care needs sensitively. As they change children's nappies, they gently reassure them, as they enjoy singing

p.2

need to do better?

17 November 2022 songs together. They skilfully use objects of reference to support the children's understanding of what will happen next. Children feel safe and secure in their care. n Staff ensure children have access to a wide variety of books and stories. They offer props and puppets to enhance these experiences. However, some children quickly disengage due to the poor arrangement of these activities. For example, not all children can see and engage in the stories due to the size of the book and group size. n The key-person system for children over the age of three years is not effective. Some staff are not clear about who their key children are. Furthermore, they are unable to provide an accurate picture of each child's needs and next steps. Not all children's needs are supported effectively. n Older children's emotional needs are not met. For example, when children require support at mealtimes, staff do not offer the encouragement or nurture

p.2

need to do better?

they need. Staff expect children to conform to their expectations by reminding them that they will be telling their parents if they do not try to eat. This compromises children's emotional well-being and is not supportive of respectful relationships. n Staff follow robust hygiene procedures. They regularly wash their hands throughout the day and remind children to wash their hands before mealtimes. Children are encouraged to wash their faces and wipe their noses. This supports children to begin to meet their own self-care needs and to be aware of healthy practices. n Parents speak highly of the nursery and state that staff share with them what their children have been doing. They are pleased with this recent increase in the level of communication since the last inspection. However, the information shared with parents is not always accurate about what children can do. This limits the opportunities to support learning at home.

p.3

need to do better?

n Opportunities to encourage independence are provided in all rooms. Children of all ages attempt to feed themselves and wash their hands. Older children serve their own meals and pour their own drinks. They beam with pride as they are able to put on their own coats by flipping them over their heads. n Staff do not provide enough opportunities for children to be physically active. Opportunities to play outdoors are not planned or implemented. On the day of the inspection, the children had no access to the outdoor area. Furthermore, staff demonstrate very little understanding of the benefits of outdoor play. This compromises children's health and well-being. n Leaders have not acted upon the advice from the fire service. Furthermore, staff are not clear of the process to follow in the event of a fire happening upstairs. This lack of knowledge and action places children at risk of harm in the event of

p.3

need to do better?

an emergency. n Staff have access to electronic devices that have the facility to take and distribute images. Leaders state that these devices are only used to communicate with parents. However, staff do access the internet to search for songs for the children. Leaders are not clear about how staff are using these devices. Although these electronic devices have appropriate filters, leaders and staff are not clear about the risks that such devices pose.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.4

Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a good awareness of the signs that may indicate a child is at risk of harm and the different types of abuse. They are confident to talk about the procedures that they would follow should they have any concerns about the behaviour of another member of staff or the leaders. Since the last inspection, leaders have ensured there are no items in reach of children that could cause them harm. However, leaders and staff fail to recognise the potential safeguarding risks that electronic devices pose. Further failures to respond to the advice from other professionals also places children at risk of harm in the event of an emergency.

p.4

Due date

ensure policies and procedures are implemented effectively, particularly with regard to staff's understanding of the safe use of technology 15/12/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure advice from other agencies is followed to minimise risks to children, particularly in the event of an emergency, and that staff have a clear understanding of emergency evacuation procedures. 15/12/2022

p.4

Due date

17 November 2022 implement effective arrangements for the training and coaching provided to staff to ensure that staff are suitable to fulfil their roles effectively, and ensure weaknesses in the quality and consistency of other staff's teaching and overall practice are swiftly addressed 15/12/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure all children are assigned a key person and that they are competent to meet the individual needs of all children 15/12/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure that all children are provided with access to the outdoor play area on a daily basis so that their health and physical needs are met 15/12/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure all children access a balanced, well-thought-out curriculum specific to their needs, particularly with regards to pre-school children, so that they are provided with a broad range of well- sequenced opportunities, giving them the right foundation for good future progress. 15/12/2022

p.5

should:

n support staff further so that they develop a clear understanding of ways to engage children in meaningful interactions that build on what they know and can do.

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number 2509130 Local authority Blackburn with Darwen Inspection number 10247420 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises

p.6

Registers

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

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 72 Number of children on roll 70

p.6

reference number

Date of previous inspection 20 June 2022

p.6

Information about this early years setting

Little Stars registered in 2019 and is situated in Blackburn, Lancashire. The setting employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, 7.30am until 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays and religious holidays during Christmas and Eid.

p.6

Information about this inspection

Inspectors Rebecca Weston Andrea Vaughan

p.6

Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and have 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 Children communicated with the inspectors during the inspection. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspectors spoke with the nominated individual and managers about the leadership and management of the setting. n The SENCo spoke to the inspectors about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. n The inspectors carried out two joint observations of group activities with the manager and deputy manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspectors. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

p.7

Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.7

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.7

Inspection activities

17 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.7

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.8

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.8

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8