Pencil Pots Day Nursery

Inspection of Pencil Pots Day Nursery 321 The Drive, ILFORD, Essex IG1 3PW

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety cannot be assured at this nursery. The provider has not consistently carried out background checks to ensure that agency staff are suitable to work with children. Therefore, she cannot be certain that agency staff do not pose a risk to children. The provider has not ensured that in her judgement the deputy is capable and qualified to take charge in her absence. This has resulted in poor decisions being made, putting children's safety and well-being at risk. The provider demonstrates a poor understanding of her responsibility to notify Ofsted of significant events, which may affect her suitability to work with children.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite the identified weaknesses, children are happy and engaged. The curriculum is accomplished and supports every child to progress in their learning. Staff show a genuine interest in babies and help them to thrive, and they provide consistent, warm and responsive care. Toddlers are supported well to use some words, gestures and facial expressions to communicate their needs. Staff encourage older children to share and take turns. For example, during painting activities, children develop their fine motor skills as they make marks with paintbrushes. Children behave well, and they are interested and motivated to take part in the activities.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders do not consistently ensure that agency staff are thoroughly vetted, including checking the right to work checks before they start working with children. For example, the provider has not put suitable procedures in place for when they are absent to ensure that suitability checks are followed for agency staff. There is a lack in oversight within the leadership team, which puts children's safety at risk. n The provider does not ensure that leaders understand all the requirements for the early years foundation stage, in particular, the requirement for notification to Ofsted of significant events. For example, the provider has failed to inform Ofsted of a visit to the nursery by other agencies, which could affect her suitability to remain registered. n Staff support children's learning and development well, overall. They offer an interesting and exciting curriculum. They build on what children know and can

p.2

need to do better?

do. However, at times, staff interrupt child-led play, which stops the flow of children's interactions with each other, and they miss some opportunities for further learning. n Parents speak highly of staff. Information is shared daily with parents on the online app. Staff share children's achievements and photos of children during play. Staff organise regular meetings with parents to discuss children's progress and next steps in learning.

p.2

need to do better?

13 August 2024 n Staff support children's communication and language skills well. Staff read frequently to children and teach them action nursery rhymes. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language to communicate. For example, staff learn a few key words in the child's home language. n Staff encourage babies' independence well. For example, they offer a range of opportunities for children to move by themselves, making their own decisions about how long it takes to move and how fast it takes. n Staff support children to manage their own needs. For instance, children feed themselves, clear their plate and wash and dry their hands during daily routines. n Children enjoy playing outside in the large, well-resourced garden. Staff support children to ride wheeled toys, run, jump, skip and control their movements on different surfaces outside. n Children enjoy role-play activities. They take on different roles. For example,

p.2

need to do better?

children act out scanning goods bought at the local supermarket. They use their imagination and creativity to bring these roles to life. They use mathematical language as they discuss how much each item costs and negotiate how much to spend. n Staff encourage positive interactions between children from different backgrounds. For example, they learn about different festivals and traditions. n Leaders encourage staff to develop their professional development. Staff are offered opportunities to undertake training provided by the local authority. Leaders carry out regular supervision meetings with staff and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.

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

ensure that people looking after children are suitable; they must have the relevant qualifications, training and have passed any required checks to fulfil their roles 14/08/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure that any additional criminal records check (or checks if more than one country) are made for anyone who has lived or worked abroad 14/08/2024

p.3

Due date

13 August 2024 ensure that staff responsible for recruitment are trained to understand their roles and responsibilities to ensure that suitability checks are followed for agency staff. 14/08/2024

p.3

should:

n further support staff to be observant when children are engaged in child-led play and wait until children invite staff to join in to support learning and development.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY454335 Local authority Redbridge Inspection number 10361414 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Pencil Pots Day Nursery Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 02085540033 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Pencil Pots Day Nursery registered in 2012. It is located in Ilford, in the London Borough of Redbridge. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Opening times are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The setting employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, six members of staff hold a qualification at level 3.

p.5

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 The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The provider joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n 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 inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

p.6

Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the provider. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

p.6

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.

p.6

Inspection activities

13 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.

p.6

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.7

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7