The Willows Day Nursery

Inspection of The Willows Day Nursery The Willows Day Nursery, 380 Redditch Road, Kings Norton, BIRMINGHAM B38 8PS

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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 Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not kept safe because staff do not adequately supervise children and staff's use of risk assessments throughout the day and during activities is poor. Children are at risk as their care and learning needs are not adequately met due to the poor deployment of staff, this is particularly evident in the toddler room. During the busy morning period, as parents arrive, insufficient activities are provided that appeal to children's individual interests.

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The provision is inadequate

The quality of education is inconsistent and children do not make enough progress in all areas of learning, due to a poorly implemented curriculum and use of resources. Children in the toddler room often resort to walking around the room when they lose interest in what is provided. On occasions, this leads to poor behaviour and children lashing out. Staff fail to notice and do not often enough change what is provided to motivate the children to play and learn. Not all staff manage children's behaviour sensitively and give children explanations when they intervene. This poor practice compromises children's personal development, including their behaviour and attitudes.

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The provision is inadequate

The quality of teaching is inconsistent across the nursery and on occasions poor. For example, children's communication and language skills are not supported adequately because some staff do not interact and talk to children during activities. In contrast, when a clear learning intention is planned for activities some children show high levels of interest and enjoyment. For example, children in pre-school use empty boxes, glue and adhesive tape to make their model vehicles and are proud of their achievements. However, not all staff make effective use of what is available to capture children's interests and extend their learning.

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need to do better?

n Supervision of children across the nursery is poor. Staff in the toddler room do not supervise children adequately and staff deployment is weak. Staff too often prioritise carrying out routine tasks, like tidying and washing up, and have their backs to children. As a result accidents occur. Furthermore, staff are not always aware when children are alone in the bathroom and the solid door to the pre- school room has closed. Staff and managers are aware that this door has the potential to slam, however, they have not sufficiently addressed this risk. Therefore, children are not always in sight or hearing and their safety is at risk. n Risk assessment is poor in identifying, minimising or removing potential risks. Staff in the baby room carry out a water play activity and do not sufficiently cover the floor to soak up the water that drips. This leads to children slipping over. In addition, the staff and the leadership team know that the torn vinyl

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need to do better?

flooring in the toddler room poses a risk of children tripping. However, at times

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need to do better?

19 January 2023 the adhesive tape used to cover the torn flooring is removed, again this puts children at risk. n The room leaders and experienced staff suitably manage children with additional needs, who often lash out and find it difficult to manage their emotions. However, less-experienced staff do not talk to children and explain sensitively to children when they intervene, restrain or move a child to keep them and others safe. This poor approach does not foster children's emotional well-being. Particularly, staff in the toddler room struggle with managing these children with additional needs. Toddler room staff identify they would benefit from additional training on managing children's behaviour. n Staff do not monitor children who have suffered a head injury in line with the nursery procedures. For example, staff are not vigilant enough and do not carry out regular visual checks to ensure children are not drowsy or unwell. This puts

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need to do better?

children at risk. n Children's health is compromised. The changing mats used to change babies' and children's nappies are torn and dirty and the inner sponge exposed. This means that even though staff wipe them over after changing children they remain contaminated. This poor practice does not adequately prevent the spread of infection. Nevertheless, the toilets and other areas of the bathrooms are kept clean and hygienic. n The manager does not guide staff to help them construct a curriculum that is coherently planned and sequenced to help children develop across the seven areas of learning. The range of activities and resources on offer across the nursery do not offer children enjoyable and challenging experiences across the curriculum. Consequently, children, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make insufficient progress. n Staff's use of the new observation and assessment system is weak. Although

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need to do better?

staff upload photos of children engaged in activities to share with their parents, staff do not effectively use these systems designed to enhance the learning and development process. For example, staff do not often enough use children's next steps to help them plan suitably challenging activities. Consequently, activities planned do not often provide enough challenging and stimulating learning experiences that motivate children. n Children have daily opportunities to increase their physical skills outdoors in the fresh air. Children enjoy a variety of meals and snacks throughout the day. n Parents benefit from attending workshops once a month, where they can join their children in completing activities often linked to cultural festivals and celebrations. Parents spoken to on the day of the inspection value the support they receive from staff on issues they are experiencing in their home lives.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

A number of safeguarding and welfare requirements are not met and they have a significant impact on children's safety, health and well-being. The poor practice of not supervising children adequately seriously compromises their welfare. The

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Safeguarding

19 January 2023 leadership team have failed to take prompt and effective action to minimise or remove identified risks. In addition, staff fail to recognise and minimise risks when they carry out activities with children. The monitoring of staff performance at all levels is ineffective and this results in poor practice in promoting children's care, welfare and education. There are appropriate recruitment systems in place to ensure the required vetting checks are carried out on all new staff. Staff have a secure understanding of the signs of abuse and the procedure to follow if a child is suffering from abuse or neglect. They work closely with any other agencies working with families to share information to help support families.

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Due date

improve the deployment of staff to ensure the needs of all children are met and they are adequately supervised at all times to ensure their safety 27/01/2023

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Due date

ensure all staff manage children's behaviour in an age-appropriate way that supports their well-being, this relates particularly in supporting children who have additional needs and display challenging behaviour 27/01/2023

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Due date

improve the use of risk assessment to help identify, minimise or remove potential risks to children within the setting 27/01/2023

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Due date

ensure there are suitable and hygienic changing facilities for changing any children who are in nappies 27/01/2023

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Due date

ensure staff have full understanding of their roles and responsibilities and the procedure in place in relation to following the correct practice when children sustain a head injury 27/01/2023

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Due date

19 January 2023 ensure there are robust systems in place to monitor staff at all levels and provide professional development opportunities to make sure they are suitable to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. 27/01/2023

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Due date

ensure the seven areas of learning and development are used to shape the educational programmes in a planned and sequenced way that builds on what children know and can do, to ensure they make good progress 17/02/2023

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Due date

ensure the assessment information is used as an integral part of the learning and development process to help staff plan suitably challenging activities that link to children's learning and their next steps, to help them to make good progress. 17/02/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY270031 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 10269617 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 88 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Virdee Daycare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 458 2828 Date of previous inspection 29 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

The Willows Day Nursery registered in 2001 and is located in Kings Norton, Birmingham. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery receives funding to provide early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 5, five hold a qualification at level 3, two hold a qualification at level 2 and three are unqualified.

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Inspection activities

n This is the first inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in the evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk together to check the safety of the premises and to gather information about the experiences provided. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector carried out three joint observations with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the leadership team. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to staff, children and parents at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector took into account the views of parents.

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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

19 January 2023 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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