Sweethearts Preschool

Inspection of Sweethearts Preschool Elim Church, 68 Elm Grove, Hayling Island, Hants PO11 9EH

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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

Children's welfare is not assured. Although managers have some understanding of risk, they have not taken sufficient action to reduce these risks in the event of an emergency. Not all fire exits are clear of obstructions. In addition, there is no effective fire detection and control equipment as required. Managers, however, do ensure that staff and visitors have a clear understanding of the fire evacuation instructions.

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The provision is inadequate

Children do not benefit from an ambitious curriculum. The curriculum is poorly implemented and staff do not demonstrate a secure understanding of what they want children to learn overall. Although staff set up activities based on children's interests, the learning intent for the activity is very broad and based on a topic rather than children's developmental needs.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, children enjoy their time at pre-school. They happily come in and are eager to see the staff. Children begin to develop a sense of independence. For example, very young children are determined to feed themselves, and older children learn to put on their own coats. Children hear new vocabulary, such as 'bicarbonate of soda', as they take part in an experiment. They giggle in delight as they create foam using the bicarbonate and vinegar.

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need to do better?

n Managers have not taken enough action to ensure children's safety in the event of emergency, such as a fire. They do not recognise that the fire exit from the baby room is not clear and that furniture in the hall creates an obstruction if an emergency evacuation was needed. Furthermore, fire detection and control equipment does not meet fire regulations or the requirements of the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. For example, at the time of inspection, fire control equipment had not been regularly maintained and was out of date. n Staff do not demonstrate a good understanding of the curriculum and what their overall aims for children's learning are. Children do not benefit from a curriculum that is ambitious, nor does it build on what children already know and can do. Learning is often incidental and does not help children reach their full potential. n Daily routines are not managed effectively to ensure the needs of all children are

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need to do better?

being met. Children become restless and argumentative when they have to wait for a significant period of time for everyone to be ready to go into the garden. Staff focus on the routine tasks during transitions. For example, children are changed without interactions from the staff, so that they can be ready quickly. n Staff take part in supervision meetings with the manager. They comment that they feel these are supportive. However, the manager does not use supervision

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need to do better?

23 January 2023 to robustly ensure the ongoing suitability of the staff. This includes ensuring they have sufficient knowledge to fulfil their roles, such as how to plan an ambitious curriculum. n Parents speak warmly of the kind and caring staff as well as the provision. They explain that they really like the 'home-from-home' feeling. Parents explain that communication is good, with staff providing frequent updates via an app about their children's day. n Staff do try and provide children with opportunities and activities that they may not ordinarily experience. For example, they give children time to engage in messy play activities. n The staff have found different ways to support children's physical development. For example, children enjoy climbing on an indoor climbing frame and then sliding down the slide. They also enjoy outings to the local park and the beach.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are not kept safe as the provider does not take all reasonable steps to ensure children's safety in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. However, staff demonstrate a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk from abuse. They know how to report their concerns to their designated safeguarding lead and how to report concerns via local safeguarding partner processes if needed. This includes the processes to follow if an allegation against a member of staff was made.

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Due date

take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children, staff and others on the premises in the case of fire, and ensure that emergency evacuation procedures are effective in all areas of the nursery, including keeping fire exits clear of obstructions 07/02/2023

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Due date

ensure all staff understand how to plan and deliver a well-sequenced curriculum that precisely meets the individual needs and development stages of all children 26/02/2023

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Due date

put effective processes in place to assess the ongoing suitability of staff, ensuring they have sufficient knowledge to fulfil their roles. 26/02/2023

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should:

n review and improve the daily routine to ensure children remain engaged during transitions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2603164 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10262914 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Sweethearts Preschool Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07907640877 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Sweethearts Preschool registered in 2020 and is situated on Hayling Island in Hampshire. The pre-school operates from 8am until 4pm each weekday, during term time only. It accepts funding for eligible two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are six members of staff, all of whom hold qualifications at level 3 or above.

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Inspection activities

n This is 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 manager explained the curriculum intentions to the inspector during the learning walk. n The inspector took part in discussions with the managers and staff during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity together. n The inspector observed staff and children throughout the day. n Parents shared their views with the inspector through discussions. n The inspector sampled relevant documents.

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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

23 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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