Mama Bear's Day Nursery

Inspection of Mama Bear's Day Nursery 4 Midvale Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 5BD

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Leaders have not actioned weaknesses from the last inspection. Although they have provided professional development for staff, this has not been effective. Consequently, the planning and implementation of the curriculum is poor. Staff do not build on children's prior knowledge or next steps in their development to help them to make progress. Leaders do not monitor children's progress well enough, particularly for those children who are disadvantaged and require additional support. Staff do not help children who speak English as an additional language to communicate and understand routines to ensure that they feel settled. Younger children wait for long periods at mealtimes for staff to support them. Staff do not adhere to the nursery hygiene practices during mealtimes.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children develop their independence skills. They enjoy serving themselves at lunchtime and know how to scrape leftover food into the bin. Children have daily opportunities to play outside in the nursery gardens. They enjoy splashing in muddy puddles and collecting leaves. Children talk about how the leaves have fallen off the trees. They behave well, listening to and following staff instructions, such as to tidy up or go indoors.

p.2

need to do better?

n Although leaders have identified weaknesses in practice, they have not done enough to address these. Staff do not plan the curriculum around what they want children to learn. They do not meet children's individual needs to help them to develop their skills. Teaching does not capture children's attention. For example, staff plan an autumn activity for children, yet staff do not help children to recall what they already know. Staff do not help children to stay engaged. Therefore, some children wander off disengaged and do not develop a positive attitude to learning. Additionally, leaders do not monitor the effectiveness of the curriculum to ensure that children make progress. However, the new manager, who has only been at the nursery for a short period, is keen to make positive changes and he has already begun to implement these. n Staff do not do enough to help children who speak English as an additional

p.2

need to do better?

language to communicate. Although staff provide them with cuddles and reassurance and have learned a couple of words in children's home language, this is not effective. Children do not understand what staff say or the routines. These children often walk around crying with their coat on because they do not understand what to expect or what is required of them. n Younger children understand the need to wash their hands before lunch and to sit at the table for their meals. However, staff organise children for lunch before it is ready. Children wait for long periods of time before they can eat, becoming irritable and agitated because they are hungry.

p.2

need to do better?

18 October 2023 n Staff do not follow good hygiene practices. They use the same sink to wash up dirty paint pots and children's drinking cups. Food placemats are not cleaned at each mealtime, meaning that any leftover food stuck to them raises potential health risks. n Staff provide some learning opportunities for children to engage in when at home. For example, children can borrow books from the 'lending library' to share with their parents and carers to help to support their early reading skills. n Younger children enjoy action songs and rhymes. They enjoy pretending to be 'sleeping bunnies' and then hop up and down, supporting their physical skills. Outside, older children enjoy playing ring games with staff, such as 'Here we go round the mulberry bush'. Children enjoy being part of a group and learn how to take turns.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff help children to understand safety rules. They calmly talk to children about walking indoors to prevent them from tripping over. Children practise the fire evacuation procedure with staff to help them to understand what to do in the event of an emergency. The premises are secure. Staff ensure that all parents and carers have a password system in place so that only the child's designated person can collect them, to ensure their safety. Staff understand child protection procedures. They can identify signs that a child's welfare is at risk of harm, and know the relevant safeguarding partners who they can contact if necessary.

p.3

Due date

improve the planning and implementation of the curriculum and monitor the impact of children's progress to help children to recall prior knowledge and build on their existing skills, particularly for those who require additional support 18/01/2024

p.3

Due date

improve the curriculum for those children who speak English as an additional language, to help them to communicate and understand daily routines so that they feel settled 18/11/2023

p.3

Due date

18 October 2023 improve the organisation of mealtimes for younger children to reduce the amount of time they spend waiting 25/10/2023

p.3

Due date

improve hygiene procedures to ensure that staff meet nursery health practices. 19/10/2023

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY457215 Local authority Torbay Inspection number 10313582 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 65 Number of children on roll 41 Name of registered person Mama Bear's Day Nursery Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01803 520 620 Date of previous inspection 19 April 2022

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Mama Bear's Day Nursery registered in 2012. It is one of a group of privately owned nurseries located in South-West England. The nursery is situated in Paignton, Devon and is open from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery employs 10 members of staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate childcare qualifications, including the new manager, who holds a qualification at level 7. The nursery provides free early education funding for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with leaders about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 Parents and carers shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during an adult- led activity. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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

18 October 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7