Earlswood Early Years

Inspection of Earlswood Early Years 133 Earlswood Common, Earlswood, Solihull B94 5SH

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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 Good

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The provision is inadequate

Children's welfare is not protected because leaders, including those who are designated to take the lead in safeguarding, do not have a secure knowledge of child protection procedures. This is particularly in regard to when an allegation is made against a member of staff. The setting is facing a challenging time, and staffing issues mean that their deployment is sometimes not effective in meeting the needs of children. This impacts on the overall quality of care and education that children receive.

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The provision is inadequate

There are weaknesses in the delivery of the curriculum. The manager does not have a clear understanding of what she wants children to learn. The curriculum is not broad or well sequenced. Therefore, children are not being prepared well enough for their next stage in learning. Staff do not provide children with a range of activities to support their individual learning needs. For example, in rooms where age groups are mixed, staff do not consider the impact that singing in two groups at the same time has on how well children can hear and learn. In addition, staff's planning of routine mealtimes is poor. Children wait too long for their food to arrive. They become bored, and their behaviour deteriorates as they sit for lengthy periods. During these times, staff do not stimulate children to engage in learning that is purposeful. As a result, children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, do not make the progress they are capable of.

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The provision is inadequate

That said, older children begin to develop independence. For example, they manage their own personal care needs, wash their hands with increasing skill, and begin to take care of their belongings. Babies move around their environment confidently. Staff are kind and warm, and share close bonds with children. Children approach staff for cuddles and reassurance, which demonstrates that they feel secure in their care.

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need to do better?

n Leaders, including those who are designated to take the lead in safeguarding, do not have a secure enough knowledge of the local child protection procedures that they must follow when an allegation is made against a member of staff. They do not understand when they must notify Ofsted of allegations. This affects the overall safety and welfare of children in their care. n There are weaknesses in the overall leadership of the nursery. There is a new manager in place, who has identified areas for improvement, and most staff agree that the changes are necessary. However, the relationship between staff and leaders is strained, and some staff do not feel that the way that the changes have been implemented is supportive enough. Staffing issues mean that some staff feel overwhelmed and unable to fulfil all aspects of their key roles. For

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need to do better?

10 April 2024 example, on occasions, it is difficult for them to take a break or use the restroom. Leaders have failed to ensure that they foster an environment where staff and leaders are mutually respectful. This has an impact on the team's morale and overall well-being. n Staff have received some support in their rooms and have completed some training. Leaders have met with staff on an informal level, but supervision to focus on their practice or how this can be improved has not yet been implemented. Staff do not receive the targeted coaching and support they require. These weaknesses have an impact on staff's overall effectiveness and the quality of teaching that children receive. n Leaders demonstrate some intentions for the nursery curriculum. However, they do not ensure that they have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn next. Children complete activities that do not meet their individual

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need to do better?

needs. Consequently, children are not suitably challenged in their learning. These weaknesses mean that children do not make adequate progress in their development. n The quality of teaching is inadequate. Leaders fail to deploy staff effectively to meet the learning needs of children. Staff are too busy attending to auxiliary tasks, such as preparing food and tidying up. This often leaves children wandering around without focus or meaningful interactions with staff. Teaching is infrequent or not effective, and does not challenge children enough. This means that children do not make the progress they are capable of. n The planning of some aspects of the day, particularly mealtimes, becomes chaotic because staff do not organise these times effectively and children spend too long sitting down. This results in children disrupting others, getting upset, or getting up from the table and wandering around. In addition, the planning of the

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need to do better?

environment is poor and not conducive for children's learning. As a result, this distracts children and they cannot clearly hear the words being spoken to them. n Parents generally speak well of the nursery and say their children enjoy their time there. However, two-way communication between home and nursery is not strong enough. Some parents do not know who their child's key person is or what their children are learning next. This does not support an effective relationship between home and nursery.

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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 that all staff, including those who are designated to take the lead in safeguarding, have a secure knowledge of the local procedures to follow when an allegation is made against a member of staff 07/05/2024

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Due date

ensure that staffing arrangements, including how staff are deployed, meet the needs of all children 07/05/2024

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Due date

ensure that there is effective supervision in place for staff so that there is a culture of mutual support and teamwork, and to enable them to continue to improve their practice 07/05/2024

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Due date

design and implement a broad curriculum that is ambitious for every child 07/05/2024

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Due date

improve how staff plan and organise the environment and routines to meet the needs of children 07/05/2024

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Due date

improve communication with parents so that they are fully informed of their children's learning and key-person information. 07/05/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2613711 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10338995 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 68 Number of children on roll 81 Name of registered person Earlswood Early Years Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01564 651149 Date of previous inspection 7 June 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Earlswood Early Years registered in 2020 and is situated in Earlswood, Solihull. The provider employs 22 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold level 3 qualifications and above. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm. 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 COVID-19 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 manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 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

10 April 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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