Tops Day Nurseries - Portsmouth

Inspection of Tops Day Nurseries - Portsmouth Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3LY

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Standards have declined since the previous inspection. The leadership and management team has failed to act decisively to meet the needs of all children attending this setting. It does not carry out rigorous risk assessments to identify and manage hazards that could place children at risk of significant harm when off the premises. Furthermore, the setting's mobile phone policy is not consistently implemented by managers or staff to ensure the safety of all children, specifically when on outings.

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The provision is inadequate

There are elements of positive practice. Children do enjoy their time at the setting. They form secure bonds with staff and separate from their parents with ease as they arrive. Staff are kind and caring towards all children. They value children's differences. Children seek out staff for cuddles and are confident to make their needs and wants known, such as requesting a drink. Staff give priority to promoting positive relationships and behaviours. Children are learning some behaviours to help prepare them for school, such as to use their 'kind hands'.

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The provision is inadequate

Children confidently engage in free-flow activities. They enjoy playing and exploring in the outdoor areas, where they ride wheeled toys and roll down the garden slope, which supports their physical development.

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need to do better?

n The management team does not have a full understanding of its role and responsibilities in leading the setting. This includes the responsibility to share information with Ofsted openly as part of the inspection process. Additionally, the manager has not ensured that staff have completed and shared the required progress check for all children at age two. This means that processes for the assessment of, and planning for, children's individual learning and development are not consistently effective. n Provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is inconsistent. Arrangements to ensure staff are completing and reviewing individual education plans and keeping them updated are ineffective. Staff's planning and next steps do not precisely meet the needs of children who require extra support to catch up. Furthermore, they do not ensure that parents fully understand how they can support their child's learning and development at

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need to do better?

home. Leaders are too slow to make referrals and put interventions in place. This does not provide children with the support they need to help them reach their highest potential. n The management team has not fully considered all risks to children on nursery outings. It does not put measures in place to ensure children's safety throughout. For example, children travel with the bare minimum of staff to

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need to do better?

12 December 2022 accompany them. This means that in the event of an incident or accident involving a member of staff or multiple children, the remaining staff member will be unable to respond in a way that keeps everyone safe. n The policy supporting the use of mobile phones is not fit for purpose. The manager has failed to recognise the potential risks of staff taking their own mobile phones with them on off-site outings with children. They have not considered that staff can share information with other adults, or the impact this could have on children's safety. n Despite these weaknesses, staff are kind and caring towards children. They are attentive to the babies and play with the older children. For example, staff model how to roll the play dough and encourage children to have a go. As a result, children demonstrate positive levels of engagement. n Children play alongside one another as they enjoy imaginative play

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need to do better?

opportunities. For example, they use their senses as they explore 'Christmas soup'. They comment on the 'spicy' smells and use tools for a purpose as they scoop the 'soup' into different-sized bottles. n Children behave well. They happily greet the inspectors and are keen to show off their favourite toys and what they are doing. Children are kind to their peers and show respect. They enjoy the healthy, home-cooked meals and have access to fresh drinking water at all times.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The policy on the use of staff's mobile phones and cameras does not safeguard children effectively. The manager has failed to consider the potential risks posed by staff taking their own mobile phones on outings with the children. The manager has failed to implement effective risk assessments to ensure children remain safe when participating in off-site activities. However, staff do have a secure understanding of how to act should they have a concern about a child's welfare or the conduct of a colleague they work with. The premises are secure. There are robust procedures in place for the safe recruitment of staff.

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Due date

12 December 2022 put appropriate measures in place with regards to the use of mobile phones and cameras to help safeguard children, and ensure that staff adhere to this policy at all times 24/01/2023

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Due date

ensure all managers have effective support, supervision and coaching to promote the interests of children, and ensure they have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities 24/01/2023

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Due date

put in place effective risk assessments and take action to minimise or remove hazards that expose children to unnecessary risks during off-site activities 24/01/2023

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Due date

ensure there are suitable arrangements in place to support children with SEND. 24/01/2023

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Due date

ensure the progress checks for all children aged between two and three years are completed in a timely manner to fully support children's individual learning needs, and ensure that they are routinely shared with parents. 24/01/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY281231 Local authority Portsmouth Inspection number 10238920 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 115 Number of children on roll 296 Name of registered person Tops Day Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02392 215786 Date of previous inspection 12 January 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Tops Day Nurseries - Portsmouth registered in 2004 and operates from the grounds of the Queen Alexandra Hospital. It is open Monday to Friday, from 6am until 8pm, all year round, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. It receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs 32 staff to work with the children. Of these, 28 hold appropriate qualifications in early years childcare and learning, including one at level 6.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Nina Lambkin Gwendolyn Andrews

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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 inspectors went on a learning walk with the manager to establish the priorities for the curriculum. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n The inspectors observed the quality of education during activities, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. An inspector accompanied some children on an off-site walk. n The inspectors tracked children's experiences to establish what it is like for a child at the setting. n The inspectors held a discussion with the manager in relation to the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspectors invited parents to share their views. They took account of all feedback received.

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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

12 December 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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