Sunflower Maunds

Inspection of Sunflower Maunds Parringdon Road, Harlow, Essex CM18 7RG

p.1

Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The provider rarely visits the setting and provides little useful support to staff. Staff have tried hard to improve the curriculum and focus on what children need to learn next. However, the provider does not provide useful guidance and feedback to ensure changes are implemented and developed well enough. While children enjoy their time at the setting, there remain too many missed opportunities for staff to support their development and prepare them fully for their next steps in learning.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children are happy and enjoy their time at the setting. Staff are friendly, kind and care for the children well. Children feel safe as they settle easily into the setting where the atmosphere is calm and welcoming. Staff offer praise when children achieve their self-care goals to help develop their confidence and self-esteem. Children build close and affectionate relationships with staff. This helps to give them a sense of belonging. Staff give children clear guidance and explanations and children behave well. However, staff interactions do not sufficiently encourage children's learning and communication skills.

p.2

need to do better?

n New staff, including those with management responsibilities, have not received appropriate induction or training to help them fulfil their roles. Concerns raised by staff are left unresolved. Staff are left to work out how to fulfil their roles, and this has led to some staff feeling isolated and under pressure. Staff morale is low, and their well-being is not supported. n The provider does not ensure that there are sufficient professional development opportunities to help staff deliver high-quality learning experiences to meet children's needs. There is an online learning platform, although staff are not able to access this to help develop their skills. Since the last inspection, some training has been provided by the local authority. However, the provider does not monitor and support staff effectively to ensure that a high-quality curriculum is being developed. n Documents are not adequately kept. While appropriate checks are made, the

p.2

need to do better?

provider does not make sure that current information relating to checks completed on staff is readily available. Some paperwork is chaotic. Children's records are disorganised and not easily accessible. This does not help the safe and efficient management of the setting. n Staff have a secure understanding of the signs that would cause them concern about a child's welfare and know the processes to follow. They know what to do if they had a concern about another member of staff, including escalating their concerns to the appropriate agency. This helps to keep children safe from harm. However, the provider has not ensured that documented procedures in relation to the local safeguarding partner's processes are up to date.

p.2

need to do better?

4 October 2024 n The provider does not make sure that all staff, including allocated key persons, have the relevant experience or information to manage children's specific needs. Guidance from professionals to help support children with additional needs is not routinely shared with staff. As a result, staff are unable to fully support these children's development. n Despite weaknesses in the provision, children enjoy exploring the resources available and leading their own play. Staff read books with children and promote their independence well. Staff encourage children to put on their coats and wellies, and they wait in a line until they can play outside. However, staff do not make sure that the garden and equipment are ready for them to use, which leads to children having to wait. As a result, they become restless and distracted.

p.2

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

Due date

take action to ensure the effective oversight of the provision, including monitoring the delivery of the curriculum to ensure that all children receive high- quality learning experiences 08/11/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure staff receive successful supervision and professional development opportunities to help address any concerns as they arise and improve their practice further 08/11/2024

p.3

Due date

obtain and share relevant information with staff, including advice from other professionals, to help ensure the needs of all children are being met 08/11/2024

p.3

Due date

4 October 2024 make sure records are efficiently managed and readily available to aid the safe and efficient organisation of the setting 08/11/2024

p.3

Due date

ensure all staff, including those with management responsibilities, receive a suitable induction to enable them to understand their roles and obligations. 08/11/2024

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY420530 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10320925 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 22 Name of registered person Great Parndon Community Association

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01279 832 256 Date of previous inspection 13 November 2023

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Sunflower Maunds registered in 2011 and is situated in Harlow, Essex. The setting employs four members of staff, three of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during school term time. Sessions are from 9am until midday and 12.15pm until 3.15pm, or 9am until 3pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

p.5

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 The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to staff and children. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting.

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

4 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.

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