The Enchanted Castle (Day Nursery) Ltd

Inspection of The Enchanted Castle (Day Nursery) Ltd 557-565 Barking Road, East Ham, London E6 2LW

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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

Leaders have not effectively monitored safeguarding procedures. As such, they have failed to identify weaknesses in practice that have an impact on children's safety and welfare. For example, staff complete morning safety checks but fail to identify multiple hazards or take steps to minimise these. Leaders and staff further compromise children's welfare by failing to meet appropriate hygiene standards.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders describe how they support children to progress through the curriculum areas. For example, as children move through the nursery, they are encouraged to participate in more structured activities to build their focus and concentration in readiness for school. Staff provide simple activities, such as play dough, that children enjoy. They sit with children at their level and communicate warmly with them. For instance, they encourage children to work together to fill up a container with sand.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff generally know the children in their care well. However, despite this knowledge and the high staff:child ratios during the school holidays, they do not take this opportunity to focus on the needs and interests of individual children. Staff do not set clear expectations for children's behaviour and routines are not embedded or communicated with children. This is particularly difficult for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) that find changes in routine harder to manage.

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need to do better?

n Leaders are aware that improvements are required to the premises and are taking steps to do so, such as replacing the flooring throughout. However, more needs to be done to minimise potential hazards. For example, despite risk assessments being completed, several staff members miss that there is animal waste in the garden area where children dig. This puts children at risk of harm. n Leaders and staff fail to recognise poor standards of hygiene. The toilets are an area of particular concern, as doors, walls and floors are visibly dirty. Staff wipe down the changing mat, but the nappy changing unit is not routinely cleaned. There are additional risks, such as staff leaving mop buckets full of dirty water on the floor within easy access of children. This does not support children's health and well-being. n Leaders have not ensured that staff have the training they need to fulfil their roles and responsibilities. They have not ensured the first-aid training provided is

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need to do better?

robust enough to meet requirements. Therefore, it is not assured that staff would know what to do if a significant accident or injury occurred. In addition, leaders share that they have not provided training to any staff, including those that work in the baby room, that specifically addresses the care of babies. This

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need to do better?

6 August 2024 compromises the care and development of the youngest children. n Staff meetings and supervisions are not fully effective, as leaders are not aware that staff have gaps in their knowledge. These gaps include identifying signs and symptoms of different types of abuse. As such, staff do not get the coaching or mentoring they need to address these gaps and improve their practice. n Staff support children's communication and language development through engaging in children's play and modelling vocabulary, such as 'shell' as they use play dough together to model snails. They sing nursery rhymes with children and use actions to try and keep them engaged. On occasion, staff do not give children enough time to respond to their questions, which means, at these times, children do not get the opportunity to share their views and thoughts. However, most children make progress with their language development over

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need to do better?

time. n Leaders share that building children's independence is a curriculum priority. For example, children are encouraged to put on their own shoes and are delighted when they succeed in doing so. However, other staff are observed feeding older children who are fully capable of feeding themselves. These inconsistencies limit progress and are confusing for children. n Leaders and staff identify children that are not meeting their milestones. They discuss concerns with parents and work with other professionals to secure timely assessments and support. However, suggested strategies are not implemented, and staff providing support do not know the information on children's individual support plans. As such, children with SEND do not make the progress they are capable of. n Staff do not work together to deliver secure routines. They wait for the manager to tell them what to do next and changes are often sudden and not

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need to do better?

communicated with children. This does not support positive behaviour, as children do not know what is expected of them or what is happening next. For example, children get up and leave the dinner table, even if they have not finished their lunch. n Leaders and staff communicate well with parents and offer help with completing forms, such as school applications. They signpost parents to other agencies in the local area that can provide further support. Parents comment that leaders and staff are always available to talk to them and they appreciate the advice that they offer.

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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 daily risk assessments are effective and minimise the risks to children in both the inside and outside areas 20/08/2024

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Due date

ensure the premises are hygienic throughout, with a particular focus on children's toilets and nappy changing areas 20/08/2024

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Due date

ensure there is at least one person on the premises that holds a paediatric first- aid certificate consistent with the criteria set out in Annex A of the early years foundation stage statutory framework 20/08/2024

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Due date

ensure at least half of all staff working with children aged under two have received specific training to better understand the care and developmental needs of babies 20/08/2024

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Due date

improve the effectiveness of staff supervisions to ensure any gaps in knowledge, including safeguarding knowledge, are quickly identified and addressed 20/08/2024

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Due date

ensure all staff share the same understanding of curriculum priorities, including building children's independence skills appropriate to their age and stage of development 20/08/2024

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Due date

implement strategies to better support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and ensure these are delivered consistently 20/08/2024

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Due date

consider how to communicate routines more effectively with children to help them understand what is expected of them and what is happening next. 20/08/2024

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should:

n ensure staff give children enough time to respond to their questions so that they can share their thoughts and views.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY269471 Local authority Newham Inspection number 10343250 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 130 Number of children on roll 14 Name of registered person The Enchanted Castle (Day Nursery) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 020 85526777 Date of previous inspection 26 February 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The Enchanted Castle (Day Nursery) Ltd registered in 2003. It is situated in East Ham, in the London Borough of Newham. It is open each weekday from 7.45am to 6.15pm, all year round. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs eight members of staff and all hold a childcare qualification at level 3 or above.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery 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 deputy 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 special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the deputy manager. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and

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Inspection activities

outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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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

6 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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