Queens Park Community Nursery

Inspection of Queens Park Community Nursery Queens Park Community Nursery, Marlborough Road, Bedford MK40 4LE

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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

Weaknesses in the safeguarding and welfare requirements mean that children's safety is not assured. Children do not receive a good-quality education. They enter nursery confidently and make some choices in their play. However, there is not enough structure throughout the day or clear guidance from staff for children to understand what is expected of them or what is happening next.

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The provision is inadequate

At times, children wander around with no focus. They climb on tables or throw pens onto the floor with no purposeful learning taking place. The mix of age ranges in the rooms hinders the quality of teaching. For example, staff ask babies questions that are too advanced for them. Older children do not experience enough opportunities to embed new skills, such as being able to pour their own drinks. There is little engagement from staff that builds and extends on children's communication skills. For example, as children play in the mud or sand tray, staff play next to them but provide limited interaction.

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The provision is inadequate

Children regularly play outside. The garden area is attractive, and children have access to a range of natural resources. They scoop and dig in the mud and balance on wooden obstacles. This helps to develop their physical skills. Young children spend time climbing stairs, and older children steer bicycles with control.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to ensure that staff deploy themselves effectively. As a result, an incident occurred where a child was able to open and exit a door to a communal area without staff noticing. Furthermore, on the day of inspection, staff failed to position themselves to support children's routine and learning effectively. n Due to many recent staff changes, the team does not work together consistently well. The management team has an accurate view of the challenges that building a new team brings. However, their action plan has not had enough time to bring about meaningful change. For example, despite training being delivered about 'Prevent' duty, not all staff have a consistent understanding of this. Managers meet with staff regularly to support their professional development. However, this is not improving teaching skills effectively enough. n Staff do not have a secure knowledge of how to support children's learning well.

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need to do better?

They do not plan learning to build on what children already know and can do. Staff fail to support children's communication and language skills successfully so that children develop their language and social skills to a good level. Furthermore, they do not plan the environment in an organised way. For example, when children want to play in the sand tray, there are too many items in the way for them to use the scoops effectively.

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need to do better?

6 February 2023 n Staff do not manage children's behaviour in an age-appropriate way. On the day of inspection, they used physical intervention, such as lifting children who climb on tables. Staff do not explain to children why they need to change their behaviour. This means that children fail to learn what is socially acceptable. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported. The special educational needs coordinator has a clear overall knowledge of this group of children. However, staff do not provide children with effective support while working directly with them. As a result, children with SEND are frequently disengaged. n There are some instances of strong teaching, but this is not consistent across the staff team. Confident staff sing songs to children, encouraging them to count. Some staff actively join in play with children. They role play buying ice creams from the shop, checking children's recall and understanding by asking

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need to do better?

them what type of ice cream they have ordered. This helps to develop children's imagination. n The nursery caters for children's dietary needs well and provides fresh, nutritious meals throughout the day. Nappy changes are carried out hygienically. When washing hands, staff sing songs that encourage children to gain an awareness of healthy habits, making it a fun learning experience. n Parents are satisfied with the service provided. As a result of conversations with staff about their child's day and information provided through the electronic learning journal, parents comment that they feel informed about their child's day.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children's well-being is undermined because not all staff have sufficient knowledge of safeguarding issues such as 'Prevent' duty. Not all staff are aware of the possible signs linked to female genital mutilation. Although safeguarding training for these issues has been delivered, both online and face to face, it is not embedded effectively. However, staff do have suitable knowledge of basic safeguarding concerns and know to report these concerns to the appropriate agencies. Designated safeguarding leads handle concerns appropriately when they are reported.

p.3

Due date

6 February 2023 ensure staff deploy themselves effectively to support children's safety and learning 24/02/2023

p.3

Due date

train staff to understand the safeguarding policy and ensure they have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues, including female genital mutilation and 'Prevent' duty 24/02/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure staff manage children's behaviour in ways that are appropriate to their age and stage of development 24/02/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure the performance management programme helps staff to improve the quality of their interactions with the children 24/02/2023

p.4

Due date

plan and implement a challenging and enjoyable learning experience, including promoting the needs of children with SEND 31/03/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure staff give children a language- rich experience to build on their communication and language skills. 31/03/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2603539 Local authority Bedford Inspection number 10277516 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 28 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person One YMCA

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reference number

Telephone number 01234261703 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Queens Park Community Nursery registered in 2020. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. It employs seven early years staff, four of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. 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 manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the head of youth and children's activities and discussed the operation of the nursery and their ambitions for the children. The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and

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Inspection activities

outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a spontaneous activity. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

6 February 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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