Bluebells Childcare Services

Inspection of Bluebells Childcare Services Community Careline, Street End Road, Chatham, Kent ME5 0AA

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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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

There are significant breaches to the requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. The manager, who is also the owner and nominated individual, does not ensure that the ratio requirements are consistently met. At times, there are insufficient staff present to ensure children's safety and well-being. In addition, weaknesses in the staffing arrangements impact on children's care and learning.

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The provision is inadequate

The curriculum is poorly planned, lacks ambition and does not meet the individual needs of the children. The way in which the nursery is organised means that children cannot access what they want to play with. For example, all age ranges of children share the same space, and some activities are not suitable for the younger children. When the older children show an interest in using the small plastic blocks, they are told 'no' by staff because of the risk to the younger children. As a result, children lose engagement in their learning.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children generally behave well. However, at times, they become bored while waiting for their needs to be met. Although staff try to manage behaviour consistently, low staff numbers mean that this is not always possible. Nonetheless, children enjoy spending time with their friends.

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need to do better?

n Leadership and management of the nursery is weak. The manager does not have a good enough oversight of the day-to-day running of the setting. She lacks an understanding of her responsibilities. For example, she has not ensured that there is a named deputy. This is a breach of the requirements. n The manager does not have effective systems in place to consistently check the suitability of all staff. She is unable to evidence that enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks have been carried out for every staff member working with children. The manager does not ensure that all records required for the safe and efficient running of the nursery are maintained. n Some staff's understanding of how to keep children safe is inadequate. For example, during the first part of the morning, the manager is on her own with children aged one to four years. At times, children are left out of sight and sound while they are eating, which does not adequately protect children from

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need to do better?

the risk of choking. The manager has a lack of understanding of her role and responsibility to risk assess the morning routine and minimise the risk of harm to children effectively. n The manager does not currently have effective arrangements in place for the supervision of staff. Due to gaps in the induction process, staff are not aware of their roles and responsibilities. For example, they are not aware of the

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need to do better?

19 July 2023 safeguarding policy. Furthermore, the manager has not ensured that she has relevant knowledge to fulfil her role as designated safeguarding lead (DSL). n Overall, teaching is not good enough. Children are not provided with high-quality interactions. This is partly because staff present are busy with tasks such as answering phones, nappy changing and addressing children's behaviour. Furthermore, the manager does not support staff well-being. She does not notice the pressure the current arrangement puts on them. The manager takes on many roles, such as chef, DSL, and special educational needs coordinator. This results in staff being left on their own with large numbers of children for long periods of time, which does not enable staff to focus on teaching. As a result, children's development does not extend past what they already know and can do. n Parents are generally happy with the provision and comment that their children

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need to do better?

enjoy their time at the nursery. However, not all parents know who their child's key person is and are not provided with regular opportunities to discuss their children's development.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Due to the significant breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements, children's safety and well-being are compromised. The DSL has failed to follow the setting's safeguarding policies and procedures. For instance, she has not ensured that she has followed up on safeguarding concerns and maintained contact with outside agencies, such as social workers. Staff have not been provided with any safeguarding training. As a result, the manager does not recognise the serious weaknesses and gaps in staff's knowledge. Some staff have no understanding of what to do in the event of allegations or how to report concerns about children.

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Due date

ensure that the required staff-to-child ratios, including qualified staff, are met at all times to support children's needs and ensure adequate supervision, especially during mealtimes 31/07/2023

p.3

Due date

19 July 2023 ensure that there is a clear management structure, which includes a named deputy who is capable of taking charge in the manager's absence 31/07/2023

p.3

Due date

ensure all required documentation relating to suitability and recruitment records for staff are available for inspection, including enhanced DBS checks 31/07/2023

p.4

Due date

improve risk assessments to identify and manage all potential risks to children to ensure their safety 31/07/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure there is effective staff supervision and induction that accurately identifies individual professional development needs and any action needed to help staff understand their roles and responsibilities 31/07/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that the DSL has sufficient knowledge to understand their role and responsibilities, provide accurate advice to staff, and support staff effectively to understand possible risks to children and promote children's safety and welfare 31/07/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that the DSL follows up on safeguarding concerns in a timely manner, and keeps appropriate records that are available to all those that may require access to it. 31/07/2023

p.4

Due date

establish a two-way-flow of communication between parents and staff to support children's development 11/08/2023

p.4

Due date

implement an ambitious curriculum that is deigned to promote children's learning in all areas. 11/08/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2716946 Local authority Medway Inspection number 10302649 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.6

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 48 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Ikwetie, Remilekun

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reference number

Telephone number 07944043305 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Bluebells Childcare Services is based in Chatham, Kent. It operates from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. The setting currently employs three members of staff. This includes one member of staff who holds early years professional status, one who hold a level 3 qualification and one who is unqualified. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 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 The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. 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

19 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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