Marham Village Pre-School

Inspection of Marham Village Pre- School Cherry Tree Academy Marham Junior School, Hillside, Marham, Norfolk PE33 9JJ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Leaders do not adequately monitor the effectiveness of staff practice to ensure all staff understand and follow procedures that are in place to keep children safe. This undermines children's welfare.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Overall, the curriculum is not structured well enough to help children to progressively build on their knowledge and skills. At a regular group time, children enjoy chatting with staff, listening to stories, singing and dancing. A member of staff teaches them sign language. The children joining in show that they are very familiar with these signs. In addition, adults and children talk about what things they can do to be healthy. However, the circle time is too long for the younger and less-able children, whose ability to concentrate is still developing. They become easily distracted or their attention wanes. This adult-led activity is not meaningful enough for these children.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children confidently explore the calm environment, indoors and out. The pre-school is arranged in a way that children can find play which interests them. For example, outside, children balance on beams, roll vehicles and balls down drainpipes and dig in the sand. Staff are on hand and support children to enjoy their play.

p.2

need to do better?

n There are weaknesses in the leadership and management. The provider has identified some, but not all weaknesses, following a recent incident when concerns were raised about staff's professional practice. However, action taken to address the failings was not swift enough and has not effectively ensured that all safeguarding and welfare requirements are met. n There are procedures in place with regards to the use of supervision meetings to support the practice of those working directly with the children. However, leaders do not always follow these. Managers do not extend the necessary support to volunteers and those adults who are employed on an ad-hoc basis. This means that these adults do not have sufficient guidance to develop their knowledge, skills and practice. n Staff practice is not monitored effectively enough to identify where improvements are needed. For example, while weaknesses have been identified

p.2

need to do better?

in how staff share information with others, the provider has not ensured that plans to improve information security procedures are followed. n The planning of the curriculum generally supports children to develop across the areas of learning. Leaders are aware of which children need extra support to make progress in their communication and language and staff focus on delivering extra support. They also make referrals to speech and language therapists with parental consent. However, teaching is not always well matched

p.2

need to do better?

19 July 2023 to children's individual needs. The curriculum lacks challenge for older children. There is no clear intent to provide frequent opportunities to help children to develop new knowledge. n Children generally remain engaged in their self-chosen activities. There are many play opportunities for children to participate in. However, leaders do not ensure that all staff receive the support and guidance they need, to understand how to consistently further children's learning through the delivery of a well- planned and clearly sequenced curriculum. n Relationships between staff and children are warm and supportive. Staff speak kindly to children and show genuine interest in what they have to say. Children talk freely about their ideas and their home lives. Parents and carers report that their children enjoy attending their pre-school. n Staff are vigilant to ensure that children's safety is maintained during their day.

p.2

need to do better?

They manage risks in the pre-school well and respond appropriately to minor accidents. They ensure that children who have food intolerances and allergies do not receive the wrong foods. Staff communicate well with parents about children's individual care needs. n Staff help to prepare older children for their move on to school. They chat to them about their recent visits to school. Children's new teachers are welcomed to the pre-school to meet them in an environment where they feel comfortable.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Children's overall safety and well-being is not protected due to weaknesses in safeguarding procedures. Recruitment procedures are not robust. For example, the provider does not seek or consider key information about a person's employment history as part of their recruitment process. Therefore, they cannot demonstrate that all those working with the children are suitable to do so. Leaders do not fully understand or follow guidance from their local safeguarding partners. Some of the adults including the provider, who are in regular contact with children, do not understand the procedures to follow in order to safeguard children. That said, some staff are vigilant to the possible indicators of abuse and neglect. They understand how to raise concerns to the relevant authorities.

p.3

Due date

19 July 2023 ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to safeguard children and that these are in line with guidance and procedures from the local safeguarding partners 22/09/2023

p.3

Due date

train all staff and volunteers to understand the safeguarding policies and procedures and ensure these are implemented effectively 22/09/2023

p.4

Due date

implement clear, robust recruitment procedures to ensure that only those suitable to work with children do so and ensure that appropriate records regarding suitability checks are maintained 22/09/2023

p.4

Due date

provide effective supervision to support, coach and train all staff, promoting the interests of children and fostering a culture of mutual support, teamwork and continuous improvement 11/10/2023

p.4

Due date

strengthen procedures to ensure that confidential information and records are held securely and only accessible and available to those who have a right or professional need to see them 11/10/2023

p.4

Due date

improve the planning of the curriculum to ensure that teaching is always well matched to individual children's age and stage of development and their individual learning needs are consistently well met. 11/10/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY537773 Local authority Norfolk Inspection number 10303257 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Marham Village Pre-School Committee

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01760 338094 Date of previous inspection 11 October 2017

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Marham Village Pre-School registered in 2016. The pre-school employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 5, three at level 3 and two are unqualified. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 8.30am until 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

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 this inspection out as a result of risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school 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 Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the pre-school. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a learning activity. n The manager and nominated individual supplied samples of key documentation.

p.6

Inspection activities

The inspector viewed evidence of paediatric first-aid qualifications. 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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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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