Muddy Puddles Nursery

Inspection of Muddy Puddles Nursery First Rayners Lane Scout Group, Trescoe Gardens, Harrow HA2 9TB

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders do not have an adequate understanding of the requirements of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. This impacts their ability to recognise gaps in staff's knowledge and practice. Some of the leaders and some staff lack understanding of the procedures to follow to report concerns about children's welfare. This does not assure children's safety.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders explain what they want children to learn over time. However, they do not implement an effective curriculum. Neither leaders nor staff know how to sequence children's learning to enable them to practise and rehearse necessary skills. For example, staff do not always help toddlers to build the skills needed to share and take turns with their peers. In the pre-school, while some staff have stronger practice, other staff do not understand how to engage all children effectively.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

While some staff show awareness about how to support children's attention, listening and speaking skills, other staff do not know how to do this. This results in children speaking over each other and staff. Some children receive little interaction from staff. Consequently, much of the learning that takes place is incidental. This does not help children to develop positive attitudes to their learning.

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The provision is inadequate

Nevertheless, staff welcome children when they arrive. Some staff ensure that children know what they are going to do next, which helps them to feel settled and secure. Consequently, children come in happily and settle with ease.

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need to do better?

n The designated safeguarding lead (DSL) does not know the correct reporting procedures to follow should staff inform them of matters concerning children's welfare. Weaknesses in leaders' and staff's knowledge of safeguarding procedures compromise children's welfare. n Staff supervision systems are not embedded or effective. The provider has links with the local authority for an external oversight to support and reflect on the nursery provision. However, the provider does not place enough emphasis on staff training, coaching and development to help them plan and implement the curriculum effectively to ensure that all children make the best possible progress. n When children want the same toys, some staff do not use effective strategies to support younger children's emerging awareness of how to share and take turns. At other times, when children demonstrate unacceptable behaviour, staff ignore it. This does not help children to learn right from wrong.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not demonstrate an understanding of how to implement an effective key-person system. Apprentices are deployed to manage children's personal intimate routines, such as nappy changing. This does not support children to

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need to do better?

30 January 2024 continue to build relationships with their key person during routine activities. n Staff are not well deployed to make sure all children are purposefully engaged in either self-chosen or adult-supported play and learning experiences. Staff are kind towards children and know what they like to play with. However, they do not always enhance children's learning, and there is often a lack of purpose to the day. At times, children are over-directed, while at other times, there is a lack of engagement. This results in some children wandering around and flitting between activities. This does not support children's preparation for their next stage in learning. n Leaders do not take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of cross- contamination. They do not ensure that toilets are adequately equipped with facilities, such as toilet roll holders. As a result, some hygiene practices are compromised.

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need to do better?

n In pre-school, some children learn to play cooperatively and develop social skills that support their interactions with their peers. They join in with group activities, such as 'animal yoga'. They develop their attention and listening skills, such as when staff encourage them to make the sounds of animals. Children stretch and bend their bodies. This contributes to their physical well-being. n Parents state that their children look forward to attending the nursery. They receive information from the nursery about how their children spend their time at nursery, including the activities in which they participate. Parents say that staff encourage them to read to their children and support this by sending story books home for them to share together. n Pre-school children build on their independence during mealtimes. They help to make healthy sandwiches in preparation for their lunch and help themselves to

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need to do better?

fresh drinking water. This contributes to children's growing awareness of healthy practices. n Leaders know how to make referrals to external agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff practise strategies suggested by professionals and use these to support children on their developmental journey.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

30 January 2024 ensure that the DSL and all staff understand the correct reporting procedures to follow in line with the local safeguarding partnership protocols 01/03/2024

p.3

Due date

improve staff supervision to support them to improve their knowledge and practice, including knowing how to sequence children's learning, manage children's behaviour appropriately and promote children's communication skills 01/03/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure that staff deployment is effective, to meet the needs of individual children 01/03/2024

p.4

Due date

improve opportunities for children to build relationships with their key persons 01/03/2024

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Due date

ensure that you take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of cross- contamination, particularly with regards to the facilities in the toilet 01/03/2024

p.4

Due date

ensure curriculum planning and implementation are effective and ambitious so that children gain the knowledge and skills to become successful learners. 01/03/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2599984 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 10284546 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 38 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person SS Ram LTD

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 866 2046 Date of previous inspection 13 March 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Muddy Puddles Nursery registered in 2021. It operates from a scout hut in the London Borough of Harrow. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, except for bank holidays. There are currently eight members of staff, of whom four have relevant qualifications at level 2 or above. The setting employs three apprentices, who are training for their level 3 qualification, and a chef. The setting 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 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. 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 The manager and deputy manager carried out several joint observations of group activities with the inspector, including lunchtime. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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 January 2024 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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