Sunflower Sherards

Inspection of Sunflower Sherards Ployters Road, Harlow, Essex CM18 7PS

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

The provider's oversight of the pre-school is poor and they have very little contact with the staff. The provider has failed to respond to staff's requests for training and support. They do not ensure that staff know who to inform in the event of an allegation being made about staff. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) do not have the support they are entitled to. Consequently, children's safety and welfare cannot be assured. Despite this, staff are committed to their roles, and they do the best they can for the children with the knowledge and resources they do have.

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The provision is inadequate

Children settle well and form strong attachments to staff who show they care for them. They are happy and content at the pre-school. Staff foster children's imagination through their interactions. They pretend to be workers at a car wash as the children excitedly drive under a tunnel. Staff encourage children's independence. Children learn to do 'coat flips' to put on their coat and concentrate as they persevere to do up their zips. Children are well behaved and know what is expected of them. They patiently wait their turn for the bicycle they want. Children listen to staff and follow their instructions. Staff promote good manners and turn- taking. They are kind and patient with children who go to them for reassurance and hugs.

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need to do better?

n The provider does not ensure that staff receive the required training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities or the appropriate guidance and support to develop their practice. Staff identify and inform the provider of their training needs. However, the provider has failed to respond to these requests. Consequently, staff's morale is low. n The provider does not make sure that staffing arrangements are effective. This means, at times, the needs of all children are not met and their safety and welfare are compromised. n The provider has failed to ensure that staff know the procedure to follow if an allegation is made about a staff member. Staff do not know the person to report concerns to within the organisation or the outside agencies they need to contact. This does not keep children safe. n Despite many requests from staff, the provider has failed to ensure that staff are appropriately trained to enable them to effectively support children with SEND.

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need to do better?

Staff do the best they can to meet children's needs. However, their lack of training means that the children do not receive the support they need to make good progress. n The provider fails to adhere to employment law. Staff do not receive the appropriate breaks they are entitled to when working with children. This poses a

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need to do better?

5 November 2024 risk to children's welfare and does not promote staff's well-being. n Despite the significant weakness in the provider's oversight of the pre-school, staff provide a well-resourced and stimulating environment indoors and outside. This allows children to develop their own imagination and lead their own learning. Children confidentially explore the environment and develop their problem-solving and thinking skills well. n Staff are committed to providing children with the best care and education they can. They get to know children's likes and interests and plan activities that support children in leading their own learning. However, the provider does not ensure that the planning is tailored to support children with SEND or that it captures their individual learning to help them to make the best possible progress. n Staff support children's early language skills. Children enjoy choosing nursery

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need to do better?

rhymes to sing. They copy staff's actions and excitedly sing some of the words. Children take part in physical exercise. They enjoy parachute games where they run underneath and lift the parachute up and down.

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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 the safeguarding policy includes the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff 20/12/2024

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Due date

train all staff to understand the safeguarding policy and procedures, particularly the action to take if an allegation is made about an adult working with children 20/12/2024

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Due date

5 November 2024 ensure managers and staff receive effective supervision that offers them support and provides them with the opportunity to raise training needs and discuss sensitive issues and fosters continuous improvement 20/12/2024

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Due date

make sure that staffing arrangements meet the needs of all children to ensure their safety 20/12/2024

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Due date

put in place appropriate arrangements to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities 20/12/2024

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Due date

ensure other legal obligations are adhered to, with particular regard to employment law 20/12/2024

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Due date

ensure the level of achievement and learning styles of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are understood and the information is used to plan learning experiences that are tailored to meet their needs. 20/12/2024

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY420549 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10372871 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Great Parndon Community Association

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reference number

Telephone number 01279 291 399 Date of previous inspection 22 November 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Sunflower Sherards registered in 2010. The pre-school employs three members of childcare staff. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions are from 8.45am to 11.45am and from 11.45pm to 2.45pm. The pre-school offers government funded places for children aged from two to four years and children in receipt of funding for disadvantage.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. 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 Staff and children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector spoke to parents and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.

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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

5 November 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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