Elm Park Primary School

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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 Good

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children safety is compromised. The management team does not ensure that suitability checks are carried out, as they do not notify Ofsted of new staff employed. They leave unchecked staff working unsupervised with children. This puts children's welfare at risk.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

All children at this outdoor-centred nursery have lots of opportunities to be physically active and explore the natural environment. Babies and toddlers explore the outside area and enjoy walks around the meadow. Older children spend their days at nursery in the forest pre-school. They learn to take safe risks when they climb trees and jump from logs. Children learn to assess risk and stay safe in the outdoor environment.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Staff provide children with a broad and ambitious curriculum. Staff know all their children well. They assess children through play and interaction. They use their knowledge of the children to create exciting activities to move them to their next developmental stage. Children make good progress in their learning.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children show that they are happy and have secure bonds with staff. Babies and toddlers enjoy cuddles with staff when they need reassurance. Older children seek out adults to show them the animals they have drawn on the chalkboard. Children beam with happiness when staff praise their achievement.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team has failed to follow their safer recruitment procedures. They do not notify Ofsted of new staff, which in turn means that required checks into staff suitability cannot be completed. Furthermore, staff who are not yet deemed suitable are left unsupervised with children. This puts children's welfare at risk. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works closely with staff, parents and outside agencies to get children the individualised support they require. Staff have an excellent knowledge of how to support children with SEND. They provide them with a learning environment tailored to their needs while ensuring they have access to the same opportunities as their peers. Children with SEND are happy, confident and make good progress from their starting points. n The manager and her staff have a good relationship with parents. Parents share

p.2

need to do better?

that their children love the nursery and comment on how they have 'flourished' since they have been attending. They speak highly of the communication they receive from the staff and manager. Children are happy and well settled.

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need to do better?

28 November 2022 n Staff foster children's love of books. The youngest children listen intently as staff enthusiastically read them a 'lift the flap' book. They wait patiently for their turn to lift the flap and see what is underneath. They excitedly label what they see. Older children sit cooperatively together as staff share a Christmas story with them. They confidently use props to assist staff to tell the story. Children eagerly anticipate the next part of the story and are keen to answer questions staff ask them. Children have good listening and attention skills. n Staff creatively extend children's vocabulary and literacy skills while they play. Older children, when in the forest, use their senses to find wooden letters hidden in the beans and lentils. Children confidently say the letter and its sound. Staff extend children's learning by asking them what animal begins with the letter they find. Children label 'yak' and 'squid'. Staff add phrases like 'fantastic

p.2

need to do better?

fish' and 'super squid' to extend children's vocabulary even further. Children are confident communicators and use a wide range of vocabulary. n Children are very well behaved. Babies and toddlers are respectful of their friends and retrieve comforters for them if they are sad. Older children play together cooperatively. They work together to build 'nests' for their soft toy animals. They talk to each other about what they need to make a nest and how they will construct it. Children make positive relationships with those around them.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The management team has failed to notify Ofsted of staff working on the premises. The team allows staff to be left unsupervised with children before being assured of their suitability. This puts children's welfare at risk. The staff team has a good knowledge of how to report and record a concern if they are worried about a child's welfare. Staff are aware of the procedures to follow should they need to report this to outside agencies. Staff recognise the signs and symptoms that may be indicators that a child is at risk. They complete daily risk assessments to ensure the environment is safe for children to explore.

p.3

Due date

provide Ofsted with the required information to enable suitability of staff to be determined 02/12/2022

p.3

Due date

28 November 2022 ensure that staff who have not yet been deemed suitable do not have unsupervised access to the children being cared for. 02/12/2022

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 109117 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10262453 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 120 Number of children on roll 75

p.5

reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 August 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Alfresco Childcare and Forest Preschool registered in 1996. The provider employs 10 members of childcare staff. Two members of staff hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 5, three hold a level 3, three are working towards a relevant childcare qualification and two are unqualified. Two members of qualified staff have also completed forest school training. The provision is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. They also run a holiday club in the school holidays and provide care for primary-aged children before and after school.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector 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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during story time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector 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.

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Inspection activities

28 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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