Mother Hen

Inspection of Mother Hen 80 Lumley Road, Horley RH6 7JL

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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

The provider does not hold effective oversight of the nursery. Staff have poor regard to promoting a safe environment or implementing a challenging curriculum. They do not provide adequate education for children, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Weaknesses in staff's knowledge of safeguarding mean that children's safety cannot be assured.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff do not supervise children effectively to ensure their safety. Incidents of poor behaviour go unnoticed as children are out of sight and hearing of staff. Staff fail to provide effective supervision for children with SEND, who are left alone for much of the day. Children are not provided with support so they can learn to understand and manage their emotions and behaviour. Staff do not act when children argue over toys, including at times when behaviour incidents escalate and children lash out at their friends. The environment is chaotic and noisy, which interrupts children's learning. Children are left to occupy themselves and some children say that they want to go home.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff have limited ambition for children's learning. They provide a basic range of activities, but these do not capture children's attention or motivate them to learn new things. Children wander from one area of the room to the other. Activities are poorly resourced. For example, when older children sit down to take part in a craft activity, they quickly find that there is no glue left and there is limited access to scissors. The provision for the youngest children is equally poor. Staff throw powder paint and flour into the air, which covers children, as part of a sensory play activity. They also mix this with water to make a gloopy mix. However, children become upset as the paint irritates their eyes and also dries on their faces. Children slip and slide across the floor as it becomes dangerous to walk. They gain very little benefit from the activity overall.

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need to do better?

n The lack of oversight by the provider means that weaknesses in the day-to-day management of the nursery are not addressed. Gaps in staff knowledge are not identified. Staff who hold lead roles in the nursery do not fulfil their responsibilities successfully. The provider does not ensure that staff receive effective supervision, coaching, or training to improve their practice. This impacts on the quality of care and education that children receive, which, overall, is inadequate. n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event relating to hygiene matters and the provision of food, as identified by the Environmental Health Agency. Despite making the necessary improvements at the time, the standards of hygiene have since declined. The designated kitchen area for preparing food,

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need to do better?

27 March 2024 including milk feeds, is in a poor state of hygiene. Additionally, staff who handle food do not observe hygienic measures, including washing their hands before serving food. Children's ongoing good health is not guaranteed. n The provider does not ensure that staff with lead responsibility for safeguarding know the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff. Furthermore, they do not check on staff's understanding of what to do in the event that a concern is raised about a child. Staff have a limited knowledge of how to meet children's medical requirements, including how to recognise and act in the event of a medical emergency for a child. The poor regard to safeguarding impacts significantly on children's health and safety. n Engagement with parents and the local authority, particularly for children with SEND, is poor. The special educational needs coordinator does not engage in

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need to do better?

offers of support or prepare timely or accurate assessments, as required. This has led to a delay in referrals for some children, which places them at a significant disadvantage in their education. Although parents are generally positive about the nursery, there is a lack of transparency in information-sharing. This does not ensure that parents get accurate information about their child's learning. n Staff do not prioritise children's good health. They do not ensure that children have access to fresh drinking water. On the day of the inspection, children, including young babies, were not offered a drink until staff were prompted by inspectors. For some children, this was for a period of more than four hours. Additionally, staff do not follow robust hygiene procedures. There is an absence of necessary supplies, such as soap for handwashing. Staff do not support safe sleeping arrangements for babies and children. Young children were placed to

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need to do better?

sleep on dirty bedding in beds that were unsuitable for their needs. Despite staff's weak knowledge of promoting children's health, children gain some benefit from spending time outside, where they run freely in the fresh air. They also enjoy opportunities to visit a local park. n The provision for children's learning does not offer the breath of knowledge or experiences to prepare them for the next stage in their education. Children's individual learning needs are not identified or planned for. The range of resources on offer is extremely limited and children have no choice but to repeat the same activities throughout the day. At times, staff set up activities in unsafe places, such as positioning water play next to a plug socket, and inspectors needed to intervene for safety.

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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 the designated lead for safeguarding, hold a robust knowledge of safeguarding matters, including how to refer a concern about a child or member of staff, in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant local safeguarding partners 19/04/2024

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Due date

implement a policy and procedures for administering medicines that include obtaining information about a child's needs for medicines, and for keeping this information up to date 19/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that fresh drinking water is available and accessible to children at all times 19/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that any areas used for the preparation of food for children, including areas that are designated for preparing bottle feeds, are clean, and those responsible for preparing and handling food are competent to do so 19/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that staffing arrangements meet the needs of all children and that children are effectively supervised to ensure their safety 19/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that staff manage children's behaviour in a way that helps children to understand and manage their emotions and feelings 19/04/2024

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Due date

27 March 2024 implement arrangements for supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities that includes working in partnership with parents and other professionals so that timely assessment and referrals are made and effective support is put in place 19/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that cots and bedding are in good condition and suited to the age of the child, and that babies are placed down to sleep safely in line with the latest government safety guidance 19/04/2024

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Due date

ensure that there is effective supervision for all staff, including the manager, so that staff benefit from support, coaching, and training to improve their personal effectiveness. 19/04/2024

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Due date

implement a curriculum that is well structured, ambitious, and meets the needs of all the children. 29/05/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2617678 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 10337429 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 28 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person Mother Hen Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0330 122 4003 Date of previous inspection 27 April 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Mother Hen registered in May 2021 and is located in Horley, Surrey. It is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm, apart from during the Christmas period and bank holidays. It offers daycare for children under five years old, out-of-school care, and a holiday club. The provider employs six members of staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspectors discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and have 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 nominated individual and inspectors completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspectors viewed all areas of the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The lead inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the provider. n The inspectors looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspectors spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account

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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

27 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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