Giggles Pre-School

Inspection of Giggles Pre-School 268 Central Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4EE

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

Weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children's welfare is not assured. The provider, who is also the manager, and the staff have limited knowledge of the children, which means they do not plan effectively for their individual learning needs, taking into account what the children already know and can do. For example, they do not know which languages some children speak at home and lack information about the children's correct ages. As a result, they are unable to support those children to make good progress in their learning. Children are not provided with an interesting, challenging and purposeful curriculum.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff do not support children's speech and language development effectively. They are slow to identify children who require additional help to speak clearly. As a result, appropriate interventions, such as liaising with other professionals, are not put in place to help to close gaps in children's communication and language development. Children's play is often disrupted so that routines can take priority. As a consequence, children's natural flow of exploration is halted. Some children become bored and argumentative with each other. This is because activities are not interesting enough or tailored to their individual needs. Despite these serious weaknesses, children generally appear to enjoy their time at the pre-school and make use of the toys and resources on offer to them. The staff are seen to be caring towards the children.

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need to do better?

n There have been a number of staff changes since the last inspection, with the manager being the only remaining staff member. The new staff team is beginning to learn how to work together, although this is in its infancy. The provider has addressed some of the actions raised at the last inspection. However, there continue to be weaknesses in staff's understanding of safeguarding issues, such as their knowledge around the 'Prevent' duty and the correct agencies to refer safeguarding concerns to. There are also weaknesses in the way that staff manage children's behaviour, especially when children appear bored and disinterested in what is available to them. n The provider does not have robust-enough vetting arrangements in place. This means that appropriate checks are not undertaken to assure the suitability of new staff before they commence working with children. For example, the provider does not always follow safer recruitment procedures in relation to

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need to do better?

taking up references for new staff. She does not follow her own procedures to ensure that new staff have a current and valid Disclosure and Barring Service check before being allowed to attend to children's personal care needs, such as nappy changing. n The provider is developing her arrangements for staff supervision, monitoring

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need to do better?

13 March 2024 and support. However, these are not effective enough to ensure that there is a strong and consistent staff team that understands and delivers the curriculum to a good level. n The pre-school day is very routine driven. For example, children are asked to tidy away the toys at regular intervals during the day, such as for lunch. While this is good practice, staff do not oversee this well enough to engage the children in the process. The staff's attention is distracted by tidying up, which results in a lack of effective interaction with the children. At times, this leaves children squabbling and fighting. n The organisation of the environment is, at times, restrictive. The three interconnecting rooms' gates are often closed, preventing the children from freely accessing resources that would help to capture their interests, such as the role-play equipment. n There are some procedures for involving parents in their children's learning, and

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need to do better?

parents are able to discuss their child with their key person. Generally, parents state that they are confident that their children enjoy attending the pre-school. n Children enjoy playing in the pre-school garden. They drive the sit-in cars around, carefully reversing and driving up and down the roadway that has been painted on the ground. Children participate in a play dough making activity, measuring and mixing the ingredients together. They use diggers to dig and transport soil from one place to another. Children are interested and excited when they find snails and other insects in the garden. Staff find them a vessel to place their insects in. However, they do not follow the children's lead and enhance their knowledge through appropriate resources and conversation.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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Due date

ensure managers and staff have secure knowledge of safeguarding, especially in relation to the 'Prevent' duty guidance and the procedures to follow when a safeguarding concern is identified 02/04/2024

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Due date

13 March 2024 ensure that appropriate checks are carried out for every person aged over 16 years who works directly with children, to assure their suitability 02/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that key persons gain a deep understanding of the children they are responsible for to enable them to tailor the care and meet children's individual needs 02/04/2024

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Due date

understand and manage children's behaviour in an appropriate way 02/04/2024

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Due date

ensure arrangements are in place to support children with additional needs, including working with other professionals to identify and seek further support 02/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that correct information is recorded for each child, especially in relation to their date of birth 02/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that the supervision of staff is effective to build a strong staff team, where mutual support, teamwork and continuous improvement are paramount. 02/04/2024

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Due date

plan an ambitious curriculum based on children's interests and abilities which provides them with appropriate challenge and is tailored to take account of children's interests and stages of development 30/04/2024

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Due date

plan the environment so that it effectively meets children's learning needs and reflects their interests. 30/04/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY406302 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10336594 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 23 Number of children on roll 21 Name of registered person Searle, Kim-Marie

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reference number

Telephone number 01702 461908 Date of previous inspection 13 October 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Giggles Pre-School registered in 2010. It is situated in Southend, Essex, and it is privately owned. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, during school term time. There are five members of staff, including the provider. Of these, three members of staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The pre-school is in receipt of funding for early education for 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 inspector viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager led the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about what they want children to learn. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation together. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. 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

13 March 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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