Bacton Under Fives

Inspection of Bacton Under Fives The Playcentre, c/o Bacton Community Primary School, Tailors Green, Bacton, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 4LL

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

The management committee does not ensure that staff practice is consistent, which means children have variable learning experiences. At times, staff do not manage activities and daily routines well. For example, during registration and snack time, staff expect pre-school children to sit for extended periods of time. Children do not receive the highest quality education. They are familiar with these daily routines, but some lose focus and become restless, which limits all children's learning experiences.

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The provision requires improvement

There are times when practice is more positive. Staff warmly greet children at the entrance, where they leave their parents and carers. Children settle well into their rooms and show that they have formed secure bonds with staff. Babies receive cuddles and reassurance when they are unsettled. Staff join in with children as they play at their chosen activity. They are attentive and ask children questions. Children talk about the tracks they have made in the sand with toy vehicles. Outside, when they notice water dripping from the roof, staff explain that the ice is melting. Children behave well and staff mostly support them to understand rules and expectations. Pre-school children confidently talk about 'kind hands, tidy play, walking feet' and 'running outside'.

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need to do better?

n Not enough progress has been made to ensure that all staff provide children with good-quality learning experiences. Staff in the baby room do not fully consider the impact of the organisation of activities on children's individual needs. For example, on the day of the inspection, during snack time, staff placed babies and toddlers in highchairs without a tray or table and their drink cups on the floor under the highchairs. Therefore, these children were unable to reach their own cup, and at times lent forward to look for it, impacting on their ability to develop their self-care skills. n Since the last inspection, with the support from the local authority, the committee and staff have worked hard to improve many aspects of the provision. For example, several staff, and the chairperson, have taken on lead roles and attended specific training to increase their child protection knowledge and understanding. Links with the local school are building and useful

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need to do better?

information about children is now shared between both settings. n Staff have a sound knowledge of their key children. They understand what children enjoy and respond to their interests, generally providing suitable toys and resources to extend children's play. However, staff do not tailor their planning and teaching of activities to enable children to achieve as much new learning as they can from the experiences on offer. n Children generally receive praise for their achievements. However, there are

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need to do better?

30 November 2023 times when some staff speak to children in a negative way, not recognising how this may impact on children's confidence and self-esteem. n Staff build friendly relationships with parents. They provide opportunities to share information through daily discussions, the online system and parents' evenings. Parents comment positively on the communication they have with staff. They say that their children are happy and enjoy attending. n Older children are supported to become more competent in their self-care. Staff encourage two-year-old children to have a go at small tasks, such as placing their coat on a peg as they return indoors. Pre-school children indicate to staff which foods they would like at lunchtime and carefully carry their plate back to the table. n The committee members have a clear vision and plans in place to continue to develop the setting. They now undertake regular visits to help monitor the

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need to do better?

provision. Staff supervision meetings have been reintroduced and staff say that they can now discuss their well-being and work with committee members. However, staff's teaching practice is not monitored well enough to identify where improvement is needed. n Children enjoy daily opportunities to be physically active outdoors. They move large wooden blocks, run around and climb on the wooden pirate ship. Younger children eagerly fill and empty containers with sand or soil and bang metal spoons on hanging pots. Staff closely supervise children to ensure that they remain safe.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

All staff are well trained in safeguarding and understand their responsibility to keep children safe. They know the possible indicators for child abuse and neglect and the procedures to follow should they have any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff understand their responsibility to report any concerns about staff conduct to the relevant agencies. Posters are displayed around the setting to indicate the named designated safeguarding leads and to remind staff and parents of the relevant local safeguarding partnership contact details.

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Due date

improve staff skills and teaching to ensure that children receive consistently good-quality learning experiences 29/01/2024

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Due date

30 November 2023 ensure that the environment is organised in a way that meets the needs of all children, specifically in relation to children under two 08/01/2024

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Due date

review and develop the arrangements for group activities to ensure all children remain focused and fully engaged in their learning. 08/01/2024

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should:

n support staff to make the most effective use of all learning opportunities so that children can make the best progress possible.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 251403 Local authority Suffolk Inspection number 10302691 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 50 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Bacton Under Fives Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01449 780079 Date of previous inspection 19 June 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Bacton Under Fives registered at the current premises in 2010. The setting is managed by a voluntary committee. It employs 13 members of childcare staff, an administrator, a cook and two cleaners. Of these, 12 staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The setting operates Monday to Friday, from 7.45am to 5.30pm, for 51 weeks of the year. Funded early education is provided for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of 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 observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n Children spoke to the inspector about what they like to do when they are at the setting. n The inspector talked to staff and representatives from the management committee at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The committee chairperson, manager and inspector held a meeting together.

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Inspection activities

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

30 November 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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