Sankofa Day Nursery

Inspection of Sankofa Day Nursery Sankofa Day Nursery, 14 Sharratt Street, London SE15 1NR

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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

Multiple breaches in the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage (EYFS) have a significant impact on the learning, safety and well- being of the children attending this nursery. Although the manager has identified some of these breaches, there has been a significant period of time where no action has been taken. This demonstrates weaknesses in the leadership and management of the setting.

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The provision is inadequate

The curriculum is not well designed or communicated clearly to staff. Staff do not consistently provide the quality of teaching required to support children to make good progress in their learning. At times, some staff interact effectively with children, but the quality of learning and activities is inconsistent. During some mixed-age group activities, staff pay more attention to older, confident children. Quieter children miss opportunities to build their confidence to learn and extend their language. For many activities, children spend long periods of time sitting at the table, where they become disengaged and disinterested.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff have strong relationships with the children in their care, and they know them well. Children receive praise and affection from staff, and they learn to manage their feelings and emotions. They receive reassurance and comfort from staff when they become tired or upset. At mealtimes, older children help to serve their peers, and children use polite language throughout the day. They listen carefully and follow instruction. For example, when it is time to tidy up, all children get involved, alongside staff, to get ready for the next activity. Children develop some independence in their self-care. They learn to use the toilet and wash their hands independently.

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need to do better?

n Although the manager understands the requirement to review children's progress when they are aged between two and three, she cannot demonstrate that this has been done. Assessments of individual children's progress are not accessible and available to view. This means staff do not plan effectively to provide a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child in all areas of learning and development. This has a particular impact on children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, where plans developed with external partners are not implemented consistently. This limits children's progress in all areas of their development. n Leaders have not ensured that risks to children and staff are identified or swiftly addressed. Children can access plastic bags in the toilets and in the garden. Safety features designed to protect children from coming into contact with hazards are broken. For example, there are no locks to prevent children from

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need to do better?

4 July 2023 accessing the office, the staff toilet – where cleaning chemicals are stored – and the kitchen. Dilapidated sheds, stinging nettles and an unstable canopy in the garden are accessible to children. The existing risk assessment process does not identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, and this puts children at risk of harm. n Staff follow a simple, nutritious menu that can be easily adapted to meet children's dietary needs and cultural preferences. Many of the children have allergies, and the manager has robust systems in place to ensure these are accommodated for. Children sit and wait for far too long at mealtimes and become bored and restless. However, children enjoy their food when it does arrive, and they eat well. However, children do not have access to water at all times. When children ask for water, they are told to wait until the end of the meal. This is a breach of requirements.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have not designed or implemented a curriculum that meets children's needs. Less-experienced staff do not get the support they need to become effective teachers and develop their knowledge and understanding of how children learn. This means staff do not understand how to facilitate activities and help children develop rapidly in all areas of learning. The manager fails to identify and address weaknesses in staff performance. This means staff do not get enough opportunities to build and improve their practice over time. n The provider does not give the recently appointed manager the support required to enable her to fulfil the role. For example, the provider has not appointed a named deputy to take charge in the manager's absence. The manager and staff have not received role-specific induction training to give them a secure understanding of their responsibilities. n Parents state that the nursery staff communicate clearly and are approachable.

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need to do better?

They appreciate the warm welcome their children receive when they arrive. Parents say the nursery helps them when it is time to work together to develop children's skills, such as toilet training and learning to dress independently. Parents enjoy that their children often proudly share their creative artworks at collection time.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider does not have effective recruitment systems to ensure thorough vetting procedures are applied to all staff and other adults who may have contact with children. This includes relevant suitability checks, such as enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and relevant references. Some staff have not received any safeguarding training. They do not know how to identify if children are at risk of harm or the procedure to follow if they have concerns about a child or a member of staff. Risk assessment and hygiene standards are poor. The provider has failed to obtain valid public liability insurance. This puts children's health, safety and well-being at risk.

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Due date

record information about qualifications, checks and vetting processes that have been completed, including the criminal records check, to ensure all adults that come into contact with children are suitable 18/08/2023

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Due date

provide induction training to all staff to help them understand their roles and responsibilities and offer quality learning and development experiences for children 18/08/2023

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Due date

train all staff and volunteers to ensure they have up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues, including identifying signs of possible abuse and neglect and how to respond in a timely and appropriate way 18/08/2023

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Due date

ensure risk assessments identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and take all reasonable steps to ensure staff and children are not exposed to risks 18/08/2023

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Due date

ensure the premises, both indoors and outside, are fit for purpose, comply with hygiene requirements and are suitable for the age of children cared for 18/08/2023

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Due date

ensure there is a named deputy who is capable and qualified to take charge in the manager's absence 18/08/2023

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Due date

ensure valid public liability insurance is in place and the certificate is available for inspection 18/08/2023

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Due date

ensure fresh drinking water is available and accessible to children at all times 18/08/2023

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Due date

4 July 2023 promote children's development throughout the day and ensure times when children are waiting are minimised so they can engage with purposeful activities and experiences in all areas of their learning 18/08/2023

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Due date

ensure that when children are aged between two and three years, their progress is reviewed and parents are provided with a written summary of their child's development. 18/08/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2677428 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10300526 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 20 Number of children on roll 17 Name of registered person Nursery Plus Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 02072773243 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Sankofa Day Nursery originally registered in 1999 and re-registered in 2022. It is open between 8am and 6pm, from Monday to Friday, all year round. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are four staff members and two volunteers. Three staff, including the manager, hold relevant qualifications at level 3, and one staff holds a qualification at level 2.

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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 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 manager and the inspector discussed how the early years provision is organised, including the aims and rationale for their EYFS curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff, parents and children 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 requested to view documentation to demonstrate the suitability of

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Inspection activities

staff and the organisation of the provision.

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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

4 July 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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