Docklands Day Nursery

Inspection of Docklands Day Nursery 24/26 Fairlop Road, Leytonstone, London E11 1BN

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 Good

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's learning, safety and well-being are not prioritised at this setting. The provider does not make sure that all staff understand child development. This is particularly relevant for the youngest children. Staff working with babies do not provide them with daily outdoor activities. In addition, babies spend long periods sitting at tables without any activity or engagement. Staff working with toddlers do not think about what they need to have learned before they can move to the next step. For example, staff expect toddlers to use scissors before they develop the necessary physical skills to be able to do so. This limits the progress children can make in their physical development. Staff do not know how to put babies and toddlers down to sleep safely in line with government guidance. In addition, they do not identify and eliminate hazards in the environment. This puts children's health and safety at risk.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Nevertheless, staff are kind and build warm relationships with children. They comfort children and reassure them if they become tired or upset. Children learn how to share and to respect each other. Staff teach children to use their manners, and older children enjoy helping to lay the tables. Staff give children healthy and nutritious meals. Older children talk about food and learn why it is good for them.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider has failed to have adequate oversight of the quality and standards at the nursery. They have failed to identify breaches in the requirements and weaknesses in staff's performance. This has resulted in weak quality of teaching and inconsistent practice. In addition, the management structure is not clear for staff and parents. Induction procedures are not fully effective and are not done in a timely manner to help staff understand their roles and responsibilities. As a result, the provider is not meeting the statutory requirements for the early years foundation stage (EYFS). The quality of education and care, particularly for younger children, is poor. n The key-person system is weak. Staff do not make sure that parents know who their child's key person is to be able to share information. Some staff do not know their key children well enough to be able to plan their individual learning.

p.2

need to do better?

For example, staff do not know the languages children speak at home and how to promote their communication in English. This limits the progress that children who are learning to speak English as an additional language can make. n Staff support some older children to develop their communication skills well. Children listen to stories, make spiders from play dough and learn that spiders make webs with silk. However, at times, the room becomes very noisy due to background noise and prevents children from being able to concentrate and learn. Some children become restless, and this does not support the

p.2

need to do better?

8 November 2022 development of the skills they need for future learning. n Older children enjoy outdoor activities and physical games. These help to develop their large muscles, their social skills and their ability to take turns and be part of a team. n Some parents express their satisfaction with the communication provided and feel fully informed. However, some parents report that they rarely receive enough information about their children's education and the progress their children are making.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The provider does not ensure that all staff, including the designated safeguarding lead, understand the nursery's safeguarding policy and procedures. Some staff do not know the correct procedures to follow if an allegation is made against a staff member. Some staff do not know the signs that might indicate a child might be at risk of harm, including from extreme views. Some staff are not aware of the nursery's safeguarding policy on the use of mobile phones and smart watches. This means they do not comply with the policy and this puts children's welfare at risk. The provider has appropriate recruitment systems. However, they do not make sure that staff who are responsible for children's personal care have had an enhanced criminal records check completed. During the inspection, risks to children's safety were observed. These included damaged radiator covers, damaged sleeping mats, paint used with babies that was unsuitable for their age,

p.3

Safeguarding

sleeping babies located under an unsafe shelf with heavy toys on, building materials accessible to children in the garden, and children allowed to walk around while eating.

p.3

Due date

ensure that all staff, including the designated safeguarding lead, understand the nursery's safeguarding policy and know the correct procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a staff member 02/12/2022

p.3

Due date

8 November 2022 ensure that all staff follow the nursery's safeguarding policy in relation to the use of mobile phones and smart watches in the setting, and do not have them while working with children 02/12/2022

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff understand the government's statutory guidance the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales' and know how to identify when a child or a family might be at risk of radicalisation or extreme views 02/12/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that any staff member without an appropriate enhanced criminal records check does not provide any personal care to children 02/12/2022

p.4

Due date

improve oversight of the setting to ensure that the manager meets the responsibilities of their role so that all staff receive the support they need to improve their practice 02/12/2022

p.4

Due date

improve induction procedures to ensure that induction is carried out in a timely manner and helps staff understand their roles and responsibilities, the setting's policies and procedures, and professional development opportunities, to ensure they provide quality learning and development experiences for children 02/12/2022

p.4

Due date

improve the key-person system to ensure that staff know their key children and are able to meet their individual needs, that each key person is known to the child's parents or carers to promote positive relationships for all the family, and that all parents are kept up to date with their child's progress and development 02/12/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure that outdoor activities are planned and taken on a daily basis for all children, including babies 02/12/2022

p.4

Due date

8 November 2022 improve staff's knowledge and understanding of how to put babies and younger children to sleep, having regard to the latest government safety guidance 02/12/2022

p.4

Due date

implement an effective risk assessment system to ensure any potential risks are identified and eliminated, to keep children safe at all times 02/12/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure babies are not restricted with their movements for a long time, particularly when waiting for lunch or other daily routines 02/12/2022

p.5

Due date

improve the quality of teaching and plan age-appropriate challenging experiences for each child to support their good progress 02/12/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure that all children whose home language is not English have opportunities to develop and use their home language in play and learning 02/12/2022

p.5

Due date

ensure ongoing assessment of children is accurate and that staff understand how children develop and learn, and then shape teaching and learning experiences for each child, reflecting on that knowledge. 02/12/2022

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number EY458063 Local authority London Borough of Waltham Forest Inspection number 10258867 Type of provision Childcare on non-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 34 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Docklands Day Nursery Limited

p.6

reference number

Telephone number 07834169759 Date of previous inspection 6 February 2019

p.6

Information about this early years setting

Docklands Day Nursery registered in 2013. It operates in Leytonstone, in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The nursery operates every weekday from 6.30am to 7pm, all year round. The nursery receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 15 members of staff, 12 of whom hold relevant early years childcare qualifications at level 2 or above.

p.6

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 deputy manager and the inspector discussed the organisation of the setting and the educational programmes during the learning walk. n The inspector carried out two joint observations of group activities with the deputy manager. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided in all rooms, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n A sample of required documentation was viewed by the inspector, including evidence of the suitability of staff and safeguarding policies. n The inspector spoke to the parents, the managers and children and took account of their views and experiences. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following

p.7

Inspection activities

information we received about the provider.

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

8 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