Little Mischief Makers

Inspection of Little Mischief Makers 5th East Barnet Scout Hut, Osidge Lane, Southgate, London N14 5DU

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

There are significant weaknesses in safeguarding practices. The provider has failed to ensure staff's suitability to work with children. Children are cared for by students whose suitability has not been fully completed. The provider has also not ensured that the building meets health and safety regulations. This compromises children's welfare and safety.

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The provision is inadequate

The provider recognises the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's learning and development. The curriculum takes account of what children need to learn. However, the provider does not monitor the effectiveness of the teaching to ensure all children learn and gain the necessary skills for their next steps in learning. Children have access to many worthwhile and interesting activities. However, staff are unable to provide support or extend all children's learning. This results in some children swiftly moving from one activity to another. They do not sustain their interest long enough to build their concentration and, at times, they do not engage.

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The provision is inadequate

There are some positive aspects of the provision. Children are eager to attend and are welcomed warmly by staff. When staff do supervise children appropriately, they learn the value of sharing, taking turns and playing cooperatively with their friends. Children learn to be independent as they tend to their personal care needs, such as washing their hands, during routines.

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need to do better?

n The nursery has experienced a challenging time in the recruitment of staff, and this has resulted in staff being overstretched. The arrangements for ongoing coaching and support for staff and students are not in place. The provider has developed some links with the local authority early years team for support. However, arrangements for coaching staff and the impact of support from the early years team are still very much in the early stages. Currently, the provider is not meeting registration requirements. n Staff do not put into practice in an effective manner what all children need to learn next. Instead, they overly focus on letters and sounds. Although staff use their observations of what children know and can do, they do not plan their next steps in learning effectively. This means that children are not well prepared for the next stages in their learning. n Children like freshly prepared snacks, which some help to prepare. This supports

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need to do better?

their well-being. However, staff do not adequately plan for children to benefit from outdoor play. This means that they miss opportunities to engage in energetic play in the fresh air, which helps them to learn about healthy lifestyles. n Children build their communication skills with staff as they engage in a two-way

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need to do better?

31 January 2023 flow of conversation. They enjoy looking at books independently and singing nursery rhymes. However, children do not develop their attention skills, as staff are not always deployed to support them. n Parents say they are very happy with the nursery and describe staff as warm and nurturing. They comment that they receive daily updates about their children's care and activities. Nonetheless, some parents report that they are not made aware of their children's next steps in learning. n The provider does not keep required records about vetting processes used to ensure the suitability of staff. This is a requirement.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider does not demonstrate a satisfactory understanding of their responsibility to ensure the premises are safe and suitable for children to use. In addition, the provider does not comply with health and safety legislation. The arrangements for health, safety and hygiene for the toilet use of adults is poor. Robust procedures for safe recruitment, which ensure that staff have had all relevant checks to confirm their suitability to work with children, are not in place. Students on placement whose suitability has not been completed are left to supervise children without adequate monitoring or contingencies in place. These serious failures compromise children's welfare and safety. Nevertheless, staff possess a clear understanding about what to do if they have welfare concerns about a child. They also know the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against adults working at the setting.

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Due date

implement robust procedures for safe recruitment, and ensure all staff have had relevant checks to confirm they are suitable to work with children 17/02/2023

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Due date

ensure people whose suitability has not been completed are not left unsupervised with children being cared for 17/02/2023

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Due date

31 January 2023 keep records of staff qualifications and the vetting processes that have been completed, including the criminal records check reference details 17/02/2023

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Due date

develop and implement effective arrangements for the supervision of staff, to drive consistency across the educational programmes and in how parents are involved in their children's progress and next steps 17/03/2023

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Due date

ensure the premises are fit for purpose and comply with health and safety legislation, including fire and hygiene requirements. 17/02/2023

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Due date

provide children with daily opportunities for outdoor play so that they can access planned activities to expend their energy and develop their physical skills 31/03/2023

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Due date

ensure the curriculum planning and implementation is effective and ambitious so that children gain the knowledge and skills to become successful learners. 31/03/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2597693 Local authority Barnet Inspection number 10251452 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Ranger, Sheena

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reference number

Telephone number 07938690735 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Mischief Makers registered in 2020. The nursery is based in East Barnet, in the London Borough of Barnet. The nursery is open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. There are two staff, both with relevant early years qualifications. The provider holds an early years teaching status qualification. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider gave the inspector a tour of the provision and discussed how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n Discussions were held with staff, parents and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the provider. n The inspector reviewed the safeguarding arrangements, including staff suitability to work with children, with the provider. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

31 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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