Dollies & Dinosaurs Daycare

Inspection of Dollies & Dinosaurs Daycare Freedom House, Snowdon Road, Lytham, St Annes FY8 3DP

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is at risk. They do not learn well in the setting's cold environment. Children are at risk of harm because of the manager's and staff's weak safeguarding practice. Staff fail to notice risks to children. For example, there is an unlocked gate in the outdoor play area that leads to an extra, unsuitable garden space. Children play where shed doors hang off the hinges and large, heavy equipment is not stored safely.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Babies' learning and safety is impaired by staff's lack of attentive care. For instance, as they arrive at the nursery, distressed babies are passed from one staff member to another. This extends the time that babies take to settle and holds back their readiness to learn. The manager does not identify risks to children or staff in the nursery rooms. For example, the evacuation cot is inaccessible and filled with nursery resources. Furthermore, outside of the fire door is a large water tray that blocks safe exit from the nursery. This prevents babies and staff from safe evacuation in an emergency.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Mostly, children behave well and do what staff ask of them. However, children climb on nursery equipment without proper supervision and guidance from staff. Consequently, children fall off and hurt themselves. Children benefit from some learning opportunities, however, in the main, children do not learn well. The quality of the curriculum is poor. Some children wander around the nursery without focus because staff have low expectations for children's development and learning. Babies' learning is poor because staff do not talk and play with them in the way that they need. Children's individual needs are not supported and identified properly by staff. Children who speak English as an additional language are not taught to develop good use of words in English. This hinders their ability to communicate effectively.

p.2

need to do better?

n The nursery is unsafe and at times chaotic, particularly at mealtimes. The manager, who is also the nursery owner, holds too many different roles in the nursery to be able to run the nursery safely and smoothly. She is overwhelmed by her many responsibilities. n The manager does not build a curriculum that helps children to remember the essential information that they need to know. Staff do not understand how to teach important knowledge in a logical order. For example, in mathematics, staff teach children to recognise numerals before children have gained a secure understanding of counting. This leaves children with gaps in their mathematical knowledge. n Staff do not develop children's language well. Although staff provide some

p.2

need to do better?

22 November 2022 books, these are so tightly packed that most books are inaccessible to the children. Staff rarely read to children and give little importance to back-and-forth conversation. This prevents children from learning language and listening skills effectively. n The manager and staff lack the knowledge they need about special educational needs and/or disabilities. They do not monitor children's progress or spot children's early difficulties. Children do not receive the extra support they need for their learning. n Staff encourage older children to be independent and to put on their own coats and wellington boots for outdoor play. However, younger children have too many care practises done to them by staff, such as cleaning their faces from behind. This hinders babies' self-care skills. n Staff do not put children's needs first. For example, babies are left waiting too long in their feeding chairs after lunch. This happens because staff focus instead

p.2

need to do better?

on the general tasks of cleaning and tidying the room. This also means that staff leave babies unattended that places them at risk. Too often, babies' cries are ignored. n The manager does not ensure that staff follow appropriate hygiene procedures when attending to the care needs of babies and toddlers. For instance, dummies that have fallen on the floor are put straight back in babies' mouths, and changing mats are not disinfected following nappy changes. This undermines the health of babies and staff and risks the spread of infection. n The manager does not check on the quality of staff's work with children. Staff do not receive the coaching and training that they need to improve their work. Consequently, weaknesses in safeguarding, including meeting children's basic care needs, and gaps in children's learning are unrecognised and unresolved.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager has been negligent in her duty to safeguard children. She does not follow effective recruitment processes when appointing staff to work at the nursery. For example, she does not check the reliability or source of information received about staff's previous work experience and performance. The manager has failed to review risks on the premises to children. This means, for instance, that staff place bleach and disinfectant spray within children's reach. Some staff place resources that are choking hazards within the grasp of babies. Staff know the signs of neglect or when a child may be exposed to extreme views about other people. However, not all staff know how to report these concerns. Even though staff have attended paediatric first-aid training, they lack the knowledge they need to keep children safe. For example, staff do not know the correct procedures to follow if a child is choking. This means that children are at risk of harm or injury.

p.3

Due date

ensure that risk assessments are effective in identifying all hazards to children, and include when and by whom the assessment will be checked and how risks will be removed or minimised 05/12/2022

p.4

Due date

take prompt steps to ensure the safety of children and staff in the case of a fire, including ensuring evacuation equipment is ready for use 05/12/2022

p.4

Due date

put in place effective systems to ensure that staff, and any other person who may have regular contact with children, are suitable 05/12/2022

p.4

Due date

take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection, including through appropriate cleaning of resources and equipment 05/12/2022

p.4

Due date

implement effective arrangements for the monitoring, coaching and training of staff to improve their teaching and knowledge of child development, including for the care of babies 27/02/2023

p.4

Due date

plan and implement a curriculum that builds on what children know and meets their individual learning needs 27/02/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that assessments of children's development are accurate and quickly identify any cause for concern 06/02/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that children who speak English as an additional language have sufficient opportunities to learn and reach a good standard in the English language. 27/02/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2590449 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10251218 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 18 Number of children on roll 31 Name of registered person Dollies & Dinosaurs Daycare Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 07860258081 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Dollies & Dinosaurs Daycare registered in 2020 and is located in Lytham, St Annes. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 5. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector about what they enjoy doing at the nursery. n The inspector spoke to all staff during the inspection. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents and considered their written comments during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and

p.6

Inspection activities

outdoors, and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning.

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.

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Inspection activities

22 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.

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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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