Strawberry Fields Nursery and Preschool Limited

Inspection of Strawberry Fields Nursery and Preschool Limited Euxton Lane, Chorley PR7 1PS

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Significant weaknesses in leadership and management compromise children's safety. Since registration, there has been a complete change in the leadership team, along with a number of changes to staff. The provider has not ensured that robust policies and procedures are implemented. This has led to adults working and volunteering in the nursery without required suitability checks being completed and security of the premises being poor. Additionally, a lack of training and support has resulted in an unstable staff team, who lack understanding of key procedures, such as for child protection and the management of allergies.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The number of staff changes hinder children's personal, social and emotional development. They do not have sufficient opportunities to form strong bonds and some children are upset when cared for by adults that they do not know and they struggle to settle. The lack of consistency also has an impact on children's behaviour. Children struggle to manage their feelings and are finding it difficult to learn how to be kind to others and to share.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

There is no clear curriculum in place. Additionally, staff are very unclear about how they are going to help children to learn. This includes children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, activities are often not pitched at the right level. For example, staff encourage babies to make marks using thin pencils, which are tricky to grip. The babies quickly lose concentration and become disengaged. Not enough attention is given to helping all children to develop their communication and language skills. Children are not being helped to make the progress that they are capable of.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider does not have a strong enough oversight of the running of the nursery. This has led to several breaches of requirements. Although a temporary manager is in place, she is not given the time or support needed to secure improvements. A new deputy manager has not been appointed and other leaders have not been given the training needed for them to undertake their roles. As a result, children are receiving a poor standard of care and education. n The manager has not carried out an effective risk assessment of security arrangements. Despite knowing that the front door does not fully close, the manager has not identified that by restricting the locking mechanisms on internal doors, particularly during busy periods, this leaves children at risk from unauthorised persons being able to access the premises. Although the locks were reinstated during the inspection, the poor risk assessment compromises

p.2

need to do better?

children's safety and access to confidential records. n The provider has failed to ensure that staff are effectively trained and inducted

p.2

need to do better?

13 October 2023 to help them follow procedures which keep children safe. This results in previous improvements not being sustained. For example, following a recent incident when a child was given food to which they were allergic, the manager put in place new systems. This helped staff to identify children who cannot have items from the main nursery menu. However, new staff have not been effectively trained to follow the new procedures or to identify children who have specific dietary needs. This hinders children's good health. n The provider has failed to carry out required checks to ensure the suitability of all adults who work on the premises. Individuals who volunteer at the nursery and work directly with the children have not been subject to robust vetting procedures. Another member of staff does not have the required level of Disclosure and Barring Service checks. This means these individuals have not

p.2

need to do better?

been deemed suitable to work with children. n The provider has failed to ensure that the nursery provides children with access to an effective curriculum. The new manager does not know what she intends for children to learn at nursery. Additionally, she has not helped staff understand in what order children need to learn key skills. For example, staff in the babies' room focus on helping them learn how to remain seated at mealtimes. When they move through to toddler room, staff continue this as a key priority for learning. This means that staff are not working together to build upon what children have learned previously. As a result, children do not make good progress. n Procedures for assessing children's development are insufficient. Many staff do not know the children well enough. They do not understand the way that they are expected to observe children, monitor their progress and plan for their next

p.3

need to do better?

steps. This means that staff do not accurately pitch their expectations of what children can achieve or provide activities that match children's levels of development. This results in children not doing enough for themselves, or being unable to sustain the levels of attention needed to learn effectively. n The arrangements to support children with SEND are poor. There has been a significant delay in implementing the support that some children need. This puts children at risk of falling further behind and gaps between them and their peers are widening. n The turnover of staff has had a negative impact on the key-person system. Many parents are not aware of their child's key person to help them share information about their child's needs. There has not been a strong enough focus on children's personal, social and emotional development and some children have become unsettled at nursery and at home. This affects their confidence and

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that the nursery is not run safely. No one has checked whether the recent child protection training, undertaken by the designated safeguarding leads, has been understood. This has led to these

p.3

Safeguarding

13 October 2023 individuals lacking the confidence they need to undertake this vital role in keeping children safe. Some other staff are not clear on the processes to follow if they are worried a child may be at risk of harm. Additionally, they are unaware of what to do if an allegation of harm is made against a colleague. Since her appointment, the temporary manager has reviewed and improved staff deployment and provides adequate staffing to meet required ratios. This now helps ensure children are adequately supervised.

p.3

Due date

ensure there is a named deputy who is capable to take charge in the manager's absence 13/11/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure current security measures are sufficiently risk assessed so that the premises are safe and secure 13/11/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure that all staff receive induction training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities including the setting's policies and procedures in relation to allergies 13/11/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure all staff understand the safeguarding policy and procedures 13/11/2023

p.4

Due date

ensure effective systems, including criminal records checks, are in place to determine if individuals are suitable to work with children 13/11/2023

p.4

Due date

put in place arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities that ensure they receive tailored experiences and support to meet their learning needs. 13/11/2023

p.4

Due date

implement an ambitious curriculum that considers the individual needs, interests, and development of all children 01/12/2023

p.5

Due date

plan engaging enjoyable experiences for children to support all areas of learning and development 01/12/2023

p.5

Due date

ensure all parents are informed of their child's key person to enable effective communication and supports the emotional needs of the children. 01/12/2023

p.5

Setting details

Unique reference number 2659514 Local authority Lancashire Inspection number 10312097 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 101 Number of children on roll 101

p.6

Name of registered person

Strawberry Fields Nursery and Preschool Limited

p.6

reference number

Telephone number 07738773550 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.6

Information about this early years setting

Strawberry Fields Nursery and Preschool Limited registered in October 2021 and is located in Chorley. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above and 4 hold level 2. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.6

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 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 spoke to 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 inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and

p.7

Inspection activities

outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the manager. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.7

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.7

Inspection activities

13 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.7

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.8

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.8

Inspection activities

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

p.8

Inspection activities

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

p.8