Rhubarb & Custards

Inspection of Rhubarb & Custards 168 Dewsbury Road, Ossett WF5 9PL

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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 Good

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The provision is inadequate

The nursery has experienced a period of staff shortages. Although the nursery meets the requirements for staff-to-child ratios, staffing arrangements do not always ensure that children are appropriately supervised at all times. Risk assessments are not robust enough to meet the individual needs of some children. Consequently, some children climb on chairs and walk around the nursery with small toys in their mouth. This compromises children's safety in the nursery. Furthermore, staff spend their time carrying out essential tasks, such as preparing snacks and meals or changing nappies. This means that there is little time for staff to fully support and engage all children in their learning and development. This does not ensure that children make the best possible progress.

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The provision is inadequate

The manager shows an awareness of what she wants children to know and learn. However, children do not benefit from an ambitious programme of activities and experiences that meets their learning needs and helps to build on what they know and can already do. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Nonetheless, children do receive some positive experiences throughout the day. For example, children hear songs, such as 'The Wheels on the Bus' and 'The Incy Wincy Spider'. They sing along and join in with the actions. This helps children to learn new words. Children benefit from snack and mealtime routines. They learn about the importance of handwashing and show good manners, such as saying please and thank you.

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need to do better?

n The manager understands the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on children's communication and social development. However, staff's time is taken up on necessary tasks, such as cooking meals. Leaders accept that there have been difficulties in recruiting new staff. However, they have not yet put measures in place to support existing staff. Although staff work hard, this leaves less time for them to supervise children well and provide high-quality interactions for children, including those with SEND. As a result, children do not stay engaged in their play and learning. This limits the progress that all children can make in their development. n The manager and staff carry out some risk assessments. However, they do not consider the individual needs of some children when completing these risk assessments. As a result, the learning environment does not always promote children's safety. Toys are left scattered on the floor which poses a trip hazard.

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need to do better?

Some children access small toys or items and put them in their mouth. This is a choking hazard and puts children's safety at risk. n Children develop their small-muscle skills as they use tongs to serve their own fruit at snack time. They enjoy regular outdoor play sessions. Children develop

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need to do better?

16 August 2023 their large-muscle skills by climbing and balancing on play equipment. This supports children to develop their physical skills. n Children enjoy outings in the local community, when staffing arrangements allow. For example, they enjoy visits to the local aquarium where they find out about animals, such as tortoises. Children visit the shop and learn to count coins and work out how many ice lollies they can buy. This helps to develop their mathematical skills. Children learn about crossing the road safely during these visits. These real-life experiences support children to develop their understanding of the world around them. n Children receive regular praise from staff. They are proud when they receive a sticker for helping to tidy up the nursery. This helps to build children's self- esteem. n Parents and carers comment that the nursery staff support their children to grow in confidence. They appreciate the regular photos and verbal updates that they

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need to do better?

receive about their children's learning. This helps parents to stay up to date about their children's development. n The nursery manager and staff have ambitious plans to enhance the nursery once a secure staff team is in place. The manager works with staff to provide on-the-spot advice and coaching. She has started to implement staff supervision sessions to help identify and address some weaknesses in practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

Risk assessments do not always consider the individual needs of some children in the nursery. This does not prevent children from behaving in a way that may compromise their safety. However, the manager and staff show that they understand their child protection responsibilities. They know a range of signs and symptoms that show a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Staff know the steps to take if they have concerns about a child's welfare. They have access to an in-house whistle-blowing line and know how to contact the local authority designated officer if they have concerns about the practice of other adults working in the nursery.

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Due date

ensure that staffing arrangements enable staff to adequately supervise children and meet their individual needs 16/10/2023

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Due date

16 August 2023 support staff to put into place a challenging and engaging programme of activities and experiences that consistently builds on what all children know and can do, including those with SEND 15/09/2023

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Due date

improve risk assessment procedures with regards to children's individual needs to further promote children's safety in the nursery. 15/09/2023

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2526059 Local authority Wakefield Inspection number 10306924 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 39 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Alpha Community Nurseries Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01924 694849 Date of previous inspection 23 September 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Rhubarb & Custards registered in 2019. The nursery employs three members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above, including the manager at level 4. The nursery opens all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It 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 COVID-19 pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. 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 communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views on the nursery with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

16 August 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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