Charlies House Childminding and Nursery

Inspection of Charlies House Childminding and Nursery 352 Coggeshall Road, Braintree CM7 9EH

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Inspection date: 31 May 2023 - 27 June 2023

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in safeguarding procedures fail to keep children safe. However, since the last visit, many improvements have been successfully implemented to improve the quality of education and care for children. Children are now cared for in their specific age groups in designated areas organised to meet their needs effectively. They benefit from staff who have an increased knowledge of what it is they want the children to learn. Staff plan activities to give children time to consolidate their learning before moving on to gain new knowledge and skills. Pre-school children enjoy recalling what they already know about sunflowers before they help to plant them and learn about the wildlife that may visit them.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff create an environment that is calmer and more inviting than observed at the previous visit. This results in children who are happy, behave well, and most are very settled. Staff know the children very well and enjoy sharing their achievements. Children are given much meaningful praise, for example, when babies say new words or pre-school children work together in 'good teamwork.' This gives children good levels of self-esteem and confidence and promotes their positive attitudes towards learning.

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need to do better?

n Those people with designated responsibility for safeguarding children and making decisions about safeguarding matters, have failed to do so in a timely manner to ensure children are adequately protected. n Since the last visit, the provider, manager and staff have worked tirelessly to implement significant changes to the way they work and the environment for children. Staff speak very positively about the changes and clearly recognise the positive impact these have already had on children. n Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is good. The special educational needs coordinator is experienced and knowledgeable about her role. Much consideration has been given to providing areas to meet the needs of children with SEND, especially when working with other professionals. n Partnerships with parents are secure. Parents comment how happy they are with the care their children receive. One comments that they feel their child is not

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need to do better?

just cared for but 'loved'. n Children are encouraged to be curious and to explore. Babies investigate the texture of rice by walking bare foot through it and making marks with their hands and fingers. Toddlers explore the contents of a suitcase full of interesting dressing-up items. n Staff all speak clearly and confidently to children, which helps children to learn new vocabulary, to repeat words or express their ideas. This promotes children's

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need to do better?

31 May 2023 communication and language development. However, for those children who are still learning to communicate, there are periods of frustration that also interrupt other children's learning. Staff have not considered how they can better help these children to express their needs and choices more successfully. n Teaching is good. Staff are honest with children when they too face challenges, such as how to split the entangled root balls of three sunflowers. This prompts children to help solve problems, work together and persevere. Staff promote mathematical language during activities. For example, children are able to correspond the number of holes they need to dig to the number of sunflowers they have to plant. Babies enjoy simple number songs and excitedly join in actions. n Key persons know their key children well. There have been recent improvements made to the key-person system. Staff are clear about where children are in their

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need to do better?

progress and development and what it is they need to learn next. This helps to support all children's good progress. n The recent re-organisation of the premises ensures that facilities now meet the needs of children. Areas are clean, resourced appropriately, safe and fit for purpose. n Children enjoy the varied menus devised to meet all children's dietary needs. Mealtimes are a social occasion. Children are encouraged to feed themselves and staff remain close by to support and supervise. This helps support children's good health, safety and well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider has not ensured that concerns relating to a child's safety and welfare, have been referred to the appropriate agencies in a timely manner. This does not safeguard children from the risk of further harm or abuse. However, staff have a clear knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms, which may indicate that children are at risk of harm or abuse. Staff know the dangers posed to children from radicalisation and extremist behaviours. Risk assessments are effective. Outings with children are carefully considered, especially with regards to ratios of adults to children, and any risks are removed or minimised to ensure children remain safe while out.

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Due date

31 May 2023 ensure that any concerns about children's safety or welfare are notified to agencies with statutory responsibilities without delay. 07/07/2023

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should:

n find more effective ways to help those children who are still learning to communicate, to be able to express their needs and choices successfully.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2663806 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10294772 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 135

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Name of registered person

Charlie's House Childminding and Nursery Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07833221793 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Charlies House Childminding and Nursery re-registered in 2021 and is based in Braintree. The nursery is open for 48 weeks of the year from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. There are 15 members of staff employed to work with the children. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-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 The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. 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 carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the provider. n Written feedback from parents was taken into account by the inspector. n The inspector held a meeting with the provider and nursery manager. She

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Inspection activities

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

31 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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