Lollipops Pre-school Ltd

Inspection of Lollipops Pre-school Ltd The Orchards, Dartford DA1 1DN

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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

Staff in the pre-school room do not deploy themselves or communicate well enough to ensure that children are adequately supported and kept safe. They do not ensure that the children are consistently supervised. For example, at mealtimes, children go unnoticed as they take snacks from the table and wander off, putting them at risk of choking. During play activities, staff fail to ensure that children are reminded how to keep themselves and others safe. For instance, children move around with scissors and are not corrected or taught how to hold them correctly. This means that children's safety is compromised.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not consistently provided with a good-quality range of experiences to support their learning and development. Leaders have not ensured that they have developed a good-quality curriculum, which meets the needs of all children, particularly children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children therefore do not make the progress they are capable of.

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The provision is inadequate

Children's attitudes to learning are poor, and children in the pre-school room do not behave well. This results in children not engaging well in activities. At times, they wander around the pre-school, showing a lack of purpose and direction. Staff are inconsistent in their approach to teaching children the importance of respecting each other and learning why their behaviour is not always appropriate. For instance, children who are settled at play have their games disturbed and become upset. Staff do not correct this behaviour. Consequently, children fail to learn what are acceptable and appropriate interactions with their peers.

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The provision is inadequate

However, the room for two-year olds is better supervised. Children engage in the well-planned activities provided for them. They show sustained levels of enjoyment and are supported to manage their feelings and emotions.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not provide staff with adequately tailored support, guidance and training. As a result, staff lack knowledge about how to implement an effective curriculum or their role and responsibilities to keep children safe. They fail to identify risks to children's safety, such as when they are walking around with food in their mouths. At times, children try to be kind and pour milk for their friends. However, staff do not supervise children effectively to make sure that children's allergies and intolerances are adhered to. Furthermore, the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) has not ensured that she has followed the correct procedures where there are concerns around practice within the setting. The provider has also failed to notify Ofsted of any concerns, as legally required. n The key-person approach is inconsistent. Although staff have good links with

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need to do better?

24 May 2023 parents and carers, they fail to securely understand their key children. Staff pitch next steps incorrectly when supporting learning and development. For example, staff do not directly link next steps to what children need to know now. At times, staff are keen to move children on too quickly before learning is fully embedded and secure. n Children with SEND are not adequately supported. Although the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) has a good overview of the children who require additional support, this is not implemented in practice. For example, when key people of children with SEND are not present, other staff do not know how to fully support them. The environment is not set up to meet children's needs. For instance, the SENCo identifies sensory play as an important activity for children with SEND. However, staff fail to provide or replenish opportunities for children to fully explore this.

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need to do better?

n Children do not benefit from a curriculum that is ambitious. The curriculum is not developed in line with the needs of the children and does not build effectively on what children already know and can do. Learning that takes place is often incidental. Staff in the pre-school room fail to keep children occupied or involved for any period of time. This then impacts on children's behaviour, and the room becomes loud and chaotic. Staff do not ensure that the environment is meeting the children's needs. n Although there are major weaknesses identified in the pre-school room, better practice was observed in the room for two-year olds. The environment is well designed to meet the needs of the children, and staff interactions are of a good quality. For example, they recognise the importance of developing speech and language and consistently speak and introduce new words to the children. However, the weaknesses in identifying appropriate next steps also impact on

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need to do better?

the younger children. Staff do not always match these effectively to children's age and stage of development and what is important right now. n Overall, parents are happy with the setting. They comment that communication has improved since the new manager has been in place. They particularly like the photos and feedback they receive through the online platform and being able to go back into the setting to drop off and pick up their children. This provides them with further opportunities to speak to their child's key person. The manager has also introduced times for parents to come in and celebrate with the children. For example, they had a coronation party and are planning an upcoming graduation celebration for the children who are leaving, which parents are excited about.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Children's safety cannot be assured. The DSL does not demonstrate a secure knowledge of the processes to follow when there are concerns about staff practice. She lacks understanding of what needs to be reported to Ofsted and the local authority designated lead in order to keep children safe. Staff lack understanding of how to keep children safe when eating, drinking and playing with tools. This does

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Safeguarding

24 May 2023 not adequately ensure that children are safeguarded. Nonetheless, staff do have a good understanding of the areas of abuse and how these may present in children. They show good knowledge of the processes they would take if they had a concern about a child's welfare.

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Due date

improve key-person system arrangements to ensure the key persons know their children well and are able to meet their learning and emotional needs effectively 16/06/2023

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Due date

ensure staff gain the knowledge and skills to provide children with activities that match their different levels of development and are able to implement the curriculum effectively 16/06/2023

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Due date

ensure that staff deployment is effective and all staff are aware of, and can constantly implement, appropriate procedures to keep children safe 16/06/2023

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Due date

ensure all those who have a lead role in safeguarding have a robust understanding of the procedures to follow in relation to any allegations against staff or significant events that may affect the the suitability of any person who is in regular contact with children 16/06/2023

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Due date

ensure that staff provide children with clear messages about behaviour, so children understand what is expected of them and what they can and cannot do at the setting and understand how to keep themselves safe 16/06/2023

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Due date

24 May 2023 implement effective arrangements to support children with SEND, and ensure staff working directly with children are aware of plans and how to support individual children. 16/06/2023

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Due date

develop the curriculum to ensure it clearly identifies what it is that all children need to learn and how this reflects their individual needs, to help them make at least good progress. 30/06/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477579 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10291083 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 57 Number of children on roll 50 Name of registered person Lollipops Pre-school Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01322 291151 Date of previous inspection 23 March 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Lollipops Pre-school Ltd registered in 2014. It is located in The Orchards shopping centre, Dartford in Kent. The setting is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 5.30pm, all year round. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting employs 11 members of staff, one of whom holds a level 6, and nine of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 2 and 3.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The SENCo spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

24 May 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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