Speckled Hen Day Nursery

Inspection of Speckled Hen Day Nursery School Lodge, Station Road, Sedbergh LA10 5DL

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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 Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Risk assessments do not fully identify all aspects of the environment that need to be checked regularly, particularly in food preparation areas. This does not fully support children's good health. Staff supervision arrangements do not fully support staff in their roles. The onus of managing the nursery is often on room staff. Consequently, standards of hygiene and coaching for staff are inconsistent, which has an impact on the quality of care and education for children. The provider has not completed suitability checks for all staff in a timely manner. There is minimal impact on children in this instance as this is well managed by the staff team. Staff without suitability checks are not left unsupervised with children.

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The provision requires improvement

Children enjoy their time at the nursery and quickly form attachments with the friendly and attentive staff. Staff support children to behave well and understand their feelings and emotions. Children listen to staff and meet their expectations. For instance, children follow instructions and walk carefully to the outdoor area, holding hands to stay safe. Staff teach children to become independent. For example, young children put on their own coats and manage their self-care needs. Staff support children to make progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n The provider has some risk assessments in place. However, they are not all specific to the nursery, nor do they fully support staff to maintain consistently good hygiene standards. For instance, nappy bins are stored in the kitchen area. This poses a potential risk to children's health. n The provider does not ensure consistently strong leadership and management. For example, suitability checks are not completed for all staff in a timely manner, and the day-to-day management is often left to staff. For instance, deputy managers cook, complete administration tasks and are responsible for less- experienced staff in addition to their prime role of teaching children. Staff manage well and do not leave unchecked staff unsupervised with children. However, the lack of strong management has an impact on the morale of staff and on the quality of care and education. n Staff attend some training courses that enhance their skills. The provider also

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need to do better?

has plans for further training for staff. However, staff do not have opportunities for regular supervision to support their personal and professional development. This has an impact on how well the quality of education and teaching is maintained. n Staff have an appropriate level of knowledge for their roles, and interactions with children are supportive. Staff know children well and plan activities that promote their learning in key areas. Therefore, children make progress in their learning.

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need to do better?

7 August 2024 n Children confidently lead their own play and enjoy involving staff in their games. They enjoy craft activities and baking. They laugh as they hide behind trees in the garden area. Children demonstrate positive attitudes towards their play. n Staff read and sing with children, promoting their language skills. Babies enjoy looking at books, and staff help them to turn the pages. Staff are good role models and offer children a wide vocabulary to hear and practise. Children's communication and language skills are supported. n Staff help children to develop their early mathematics skills. They count together frequently during everyday activities and discuss shape and size as they play. Consequently, children are confident in their early understanding of number and begin to form a sound base for their future learning. n Children have opportunities to play in the fresh air. They develop their

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need to do better?

coordination skills on the ride-on wheeled toys. Staff plan activities such as shaping dough, which helps children to develop strength in their small muscles. Staff promote children's physical skills well. n Staff help children to develop confidence as they understand and follow the routines of the day. For instance, young children know that it is nap time after lunch. Staff talk to children about what will come next in their day, which enhances their feelings of security. n Staff take children on outings in the local area, and they choose books on visits to the library. Children enjoy a visit from local police officers and learn about the people who help us. Children are beginning to learn about their community.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

ensure that risk assessments identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis 29/08/2024

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Due date

ensure that deputy managers have the necessary skills and knowledge to take charge in the manager's absence 29/08/2024

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Due date

ensure that suitability checks are completed for all staff in a timely manner 04/09/2024

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Due date

7 August 2024 ensure that procedures are in place for effective staff supervision to coach and support staff and facilitate continuous improvement. 29/08/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2742277 Local authority Westmorland and Furness Inspection number 10360886 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 18 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Leading & Learning Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01539566039 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Speckled Hen Day Nursery registered in 2023. It is located in Sedbergh, Cumbria, within the grounds of Sedbergh School. The nursery is run independently of the school. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff, including the manager, who holds qualified teacher status. Three members of staff hold appropriate qualifications at level 3. Session times are from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the 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 Parents and children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The provider discussed how it organises the early years provision, including the aims and rationale for the 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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The provider spoke to the inspector about the leadership and management of

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Inspection activities

the setting. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

7 August 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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