Kids Zone Childcare Limited

Inspection of Kids Zone Childcare Limited Unit 14 Sea Lake Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 3LQ

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children's welfare and good health are not assured. Risk assessments are not effective in identifying potential hazards within the environment so that these can be removed or minimised. This compromises children's health and well-being.

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The provision is inadequate

The management team is clear about what it is children are to learn, but this is sometimes inconsistently planned and implemented. For example, the manager intends for children to mark make in the garden, but during the morning session, no resources were available to children to practise these skills. Other children choose to play in the role-play house, but they are not provided with any resources for them to develop their imagination. Children readily leave their parents at the door. Once inside, they place their lunch boxes in the designated area and find their name for their peg. Overall, children behave appropriately. They know what is expected of them and follow instructions. Staff are on hand when children need reminders of the setting's rules and boundaries, such as helping to tidy away resources.

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The provision is inadequate

Children are physically active. They enjoy using the indoor climbing apparatus. They confidently climb up the steps, balance across the platform and jump off the end. Outside in the garden, children use ride-on vehicles to navigate their way around the hard surface area. Staff encourage children to practise balancing on some logs. Children challenge themselves to step on each one and discover which log is wobbly.

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need to do better?

n The provider does not ensure that the environment is fit for purpose and maintained to a good standard. Although cleaning routines are in place, they are not effective to promote children's good health and well-being. For example, carpets, tables and chairs where children play are dirty. n Leaders do not ensure that the risk assessment process is effective. Leaders and staff fail to identify and minimise potential hazards and risks to children. For example, despite the daily morning risk assessments being carried out, children have access to stagnant water. Staff observe children playing with and collecting this water in containers and allow them to use it to water the plants. This compromises children's physical health and safety. n Children are starting to learn the importance of good hygiene practices. Staff encourage children to wash their hands at appropriate times, such as after using the toilet and before eating. However, staff do not notice when children have

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need to do better?

extremely runny noses. Children use their sleeves and hands to wipe their noses across their faces as they continue to play with the toys and resources. This puts children at risk of cross-infection.

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need to do better?

23 March 2023 n Staff support children to develop a love of books. Babies enjoy cuddling up to staff as they have a story read to them. Staff use character props to gain the attention of younger children to help them focus on the story. Children call out in delight when they see the 'Gruffalo' creep up from behind the staff member's back. Staff model language and ask children questions to support their thinking and listening skills. As a result, children confidently hold conversations with adults and other children, sharing their thoughts and ideas. n Staff know the children they care for and their families well. They gather information when children start at the setting to help plan for children's next steps and help them settle. For instance, when staff know a new child's interest is construction, they provide materials such as foam blocks, sand, tools and different-sized cardboard boxes for children to build with. Children enjoy working

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need to do better?

together as they build a tower against a wall. n Overall, children are provided with a variety of activities that meet their interests. For example, children join in with play dough and painting activities. However, sometimes the planning and delivery of adult-planned activities do not meet the learning intentions. For example, staff do not always have the equipment they need to carry out an activity. This can lead to some children's lack of engagement and some children leave the activity. Additionally, staff add other resources into the activities which distract from the intended learning outcomes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Risk assessment is not used effectively to minimise potential risk to children. Where control measures have been put in place, these are poorly maintained. For example, padding on metal bars that is intended to reduce the risk of children bumping their heads is torn and partially missing. Staff are aware of the signs and indicators that may mean a child is at risk of harm or abuse. There is a designated lead for safeguarding concerns. Staff know how to report concerns that they have regarding a child or the conduct of a colleague. Staff are knowledgeable about the wider safeguarding concerns that pose a risk to children, such as female genital mutilation.

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Due date

ensure that the premises are fit for purpose, with particular regard to cleanliness and hygiene 06/04/2023

p.3

Due date

23 March 2023 take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection and ensure children's health is not compromised 06/04/2023

p.3

Due date

ensure risk assessments are effective in identifying and removing all potential risks to children's health and safety, including outdoor stagnant water 06/04/2023

p.4

Due date

improve the planning and implementation of activities to focus more precisely on the individual learning needs of children. 06/04/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY483761 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10283154 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 42 Number of children on roll 39 Name of registered person Kids Zone Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01502 587081 Date of previous inspection 12 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Kids Zone Childcare Limited registered in 2015. The setting employs eight members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold early years qualification at level 2 and above, including one at level 7 and two at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays and the period between Christmas and New Year. Sessions are from 7am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting 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 inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. 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

23 March 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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