Ashbourne Day Nurseries at Leighton Buzzard

Inspection of Ashbourne Day Nurseries At Hedgeland Community Hall, Hornbeam Close, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 3FE

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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 has failed to ensure that staff fully understand and implement the nursery's policies and procedures. They have not given staff the time and support they need to gain the knowledge of the processes to follow if they have concerns about a child or colleague. Overall, staff do not have secure knowledge of safeguarding. This undermines children's safety and welfare.

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The provision is inadequate

The provider has not planned the curriculum to meet the individual learning needs of children. Staff have some awareness of what children need to learn. They are kind to children. At times, staff engage with children for short periods of time, for example, when they build cars from construction toys. However, too often these activities stop because staff prioritise completing routine tasks. In addition, they frequently move away to manage children's behaviour because activities lack stimulation and, as a consequence, children are bored.

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The provision is inadequate

The provider does not make sure that staff adequately supervise children. For example, children are not always in sight and hearing and babies are frequently left unsupervised while eating. Behaviour policies are not consistently implemented. Staff use different approaches, which confuses children. This means children do not always understand what is expected of them.

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need to do better?

n Staffing arrangements do not meet children's needs. Although the child-to-adult staffing ratio is met, the provider has not considered the layout of the building or how to deploy staff effectively. For example, while staff are supporting children in the toilets or are in the kitchen preparing food, there is minimal staff available to support the developing skills of young children. Furthermore, staff often position themselves with their backs to the room or sit at low tables and cannot see all of the children. This means that when children sustain minor injuries, staff do not notice. As a result, children's health and safety is compromised. n The provider does not ensure staff have a clear understanding of child development to help them create a strong curriculum. The provider has not helped staff plan and assess children's learning to build on what they already know and can do. Children are frequently bored, leading them to play with toys

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need to do better?

inappropriately and make up their own games. However, these are not always the most positive types of games. For example, children run around with play kitchen utensils, pretending to fight their friends. n The provider has a progress check for children aged between two and three years old in place. However, staff do not understand the purpose of the check and, as a result, the check is incomplete. This means staff do not have accurate information to share with parents.

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need to do better?

7 October 2024 n At times, the quality of staff's interactions with children are poor. Babies do not benefit from effective back-and-forth interactions that help develop early speaking skills. Staff sit at tables with older children, however, there is little interaction from some staff as children play. Consequently, children flit from one activity to another and do not remain engaged in purposeful learning. n The key-person system is ineffective. Although staff are kind and know the basic information about children, they do not really understand children's capabilities. Therefore, children do not receive individual challenge or opportunities to help them make the progress they need. The provider has not considered the importance of the role of the key person in supporting babies to settle into the nursery. Babies' needs are not sufficiently understood so that staff can support their emotional development and promote their sense of belonging.

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need to do better?

n Children's individual dietary requirements are known. However, the provider has not considered how appropriate the food is for the different ages of children or how the quality of the food is retained while being transported. Babies are served their meals straight onto the highchair table, without a plate or spoon to use. They pick up large handfuls of food and struggle to swallow it because it has become mushy and glutinous. During this time, staff are preoccupied with other activities and do not supervise babies while they eat to keep them safe. n Coaching and mentoring of staff are ineffective. Some staff do not receive adequate induction to help them understand the requirements of their role. Staff are not clear about their responsibilities, particularly when they are stepping up into more senior positions. n Staff have not received supervision to help them share information about children or to identify key targets for staff to work on. The provider uses an

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need to do better?

online training platform. However, the provider does not effectively monitor how this learning is implemented in the nursery to improve practice. n The provider is aware that improvements are required to the premises. However, they have yet to take steps to action this. The toilets are visibly dirty. At times, staff allow children who can independently use the toilet, to use potties in the room without any consideration for children's privacy or good hygiene practice. In addition, the floor in the baby room is dirty. Babies who are developing their early physical skills crawl on the floor and at times put their mouths to the dirty floor. This compromises children's health and well-being. n The provider does not ensure that all complaints are dealt with effectively. A complaints policy is in place, but the outcome of their investigation is not recorded and leaders cannot access some records that are sent directly to the

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need to do better?

provider. This does not ensure the safe and efficient management of the 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 understand and can follow the safeguarding policy and procedures, in line with the requirements of the local safeguarding partners 21/10/2024

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Due date

ensure children are within sight and hearing of a member of staff when they are eating 21/10/2024

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Due date

ensure that staffing arrangements meet children's needs and keep them safe at all times 21/10/2024

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Due date

ensure that staff receive effective support to help them understand how to manage children's behaviour consistently 21/10/2024

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Due date

make sure the key-person system is effective to ensure children's care is tailored to their meet their individual needs and so that all children have a settled relationship with staff who know them 21/10/2024

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Due date

ensure that all staff receive induction to help them understand their roles and responsibilities 21/10/2024

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Due date

put appropriate arrangements in place for the supervision of staff 21/10/2024

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Due date

ensure the premises are hygienic throughout, with a particular focus on children's toilets and the floor in the baby room. 21/10/2024

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Due date

ensure food provided is balanced and nutritious and served appropriately 21/10/2024

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Due date

7 October 2024 implement effective complaints procedures and record of any complaints are maintained, including their outcome. 21/10/2024

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Due date

ensure that the curriculum considers the individual needs, interest and development of each child, and that staff plan a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child 21/10/2024

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Due date

implement effective arrangements for the assessment of children's development 21/10/2024

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Due date

review children's progress and provide all parents with a written summary of their child's development in the prime areas. 21/10/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561636 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 10364763 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 47 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Ashbourne Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07943788347 Date of previous inspection 23 September 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Ashbourne Day Nurseries At Hedgeland registered in 2018. It is one of a chain of nurseries. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery employs eight members of staff, of whom five have appropriate qualifications at level 2 and above. The nursery provides funded early education places to all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The manager joined the inspectors on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspectors during the inspection. n Staff spoke to the inspectors during the inspection. n The inspectors spoke with the area manager about the leadership and management of the nursery. 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 inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspectors 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.

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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 October 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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