The Learning Tree Preschool Ltd

Inspection of The Learning Tree Preschool Ltd West Sussex County Council, Arundel Library, Surrey Street, Arundel BN18 9DT

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

There are weaknesses in the safeguarding and welfare requirements that have an impact on children's safety and well-being. Leaders have not taken sufficient action following a significant event. They have not ensured the premises are fit for purpose to ensure children's safety or taken action to ensure risk assessments in place are effective. This compromises children's safety. Despite this, all staff demonstrate a sufficient knowledge of how to report concerns regarding a child's welfare or concerns regarding a colleague's behaviour.

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The provision is inadequate

Although there are weaknesses, this does not impact on the quality of teaching and education children receive. Children and their families are personally greeted by welcoming staff as they arrive to start their day. Children are quick to engage in a variety of activities that have been carefully planned by staff. They benefit from a broad and well-balanced curriculum. Activities and play experiences include children's individual interests as well as their own personalised next steps. As a result, children are motivated to learn and sustain focus and attention as they explore and learn new things.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders and staff recognise the importance of building strong relationships with children to help them feel emotionally secure. Consequently, staff work hard to build nurturing and trusting bonds with children. In turn, children show confidence to seek them out for play, comfort and support when needed. Staff are respectful of children's individual care routines. This supports children to feel valued and helps them develop a positive sense of belonging at the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have not identified significant weaknesses in the security of the outdoor area they provide for children at this nursery. As a result, the area is not fit for purpose as it does not ensure children are kept safe. Despite this, children have an abundance of opportunities to promote their physical skills outdoors as they develop their core and small muscles. n Following a significant incident, leaders put additional measures in place to assure themselves of children safety. However, these are not effective. Some staff are not aware of the additional risk assessment procedures in place when children access the outdoor area. Furthermore, leaders have not had sufficient oversight to identify that these additional measures are not put into daily practice by staff. As such, although risk assessments have been considered, they are not effective. This continues to compromise children's safety. n Leaders ensure there are adequate staff for the number of children that attend.

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need to do better?

However, they have not identified weaknesses in the supervision arrangements of children during mealtimes. For example, children help themselves to other

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need to do better?

5 February 2025 children's food and consume this. This generally goes unnoticed by staff but, on occasions, staff do notice and do not challenge children doing this. This does not promote children's health and well-being, especially those who may have allergies or dietary requirements. n Staff understand the importance of promoting children's health and hygiene. They ensure all children wash their hands after using the toilet or before eating. Staff provide age-appropriate explanations as they teach children why this is important. This helps children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. However, leaders have not taken action to ensure all hygiene practices fully promote children's or staff's good health. For instance, they do not ensure all children or staff have opportunities to wash their hands with warm water. This impacts on the arrangements in place for maintaining good hygiene.

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need to do better?

n Children's communication and language are well promoted. Staff tailor their communication to meet the needs of individual children. They use gesture and exaggerated facial expressions alongside simple, repetitive language for the youngest children. Older children are supported with back-and-forth discussions as they develop their conversational skills. Staff recognise when children need time to pause, process information and respond. This enables children time to develop their own thinking skills and build on their growing vocabulary. n Staff thoughtfully intertwine mathematics into everyday interactions and activities. This successfully introduces even the youngest children to early mathematics. For instance, staff introduce basic numbers and mathematical language as children explore sensory activities, using words, such as 'lots, more' and 'empty'. n Staff are positive role models to children. They consistently and sensitively

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need to do better?

reinforce appropriate behavioural expectations. Staff swiftly offer support when any minor conflicts arise between children, to help them manage their growing feelings. This contributes to children's good behaviour.

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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

5 February 2025 take action to ensure the premises are safe, suitable and fit for purpose, with particular regard to the outdoor provision and arrangements for maintaining good hygiene 21/02/2025

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Due date

implement a rigorous system for risk assessment to ensure children are not exposed to risks, and that hazards are identified and managed effectively and promptly 21/02/2025

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Due date

ensure children are adequately supervised when eating to ensure their safety. 21/02/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2741144 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 10388160 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 51 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person The Learning Tree Pre-School Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07787169977 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

The Learning Tree Preschool Ltd is one of two registrations run by The Learning Tree Pre-School Limited. It opened in August 2023 and is located in Arundel, West Sussex. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm, term time only, offering ad hoc holiday care. The setting receives nursery education funding for children aged nine months to three years. There is a staff team of 17, of whom 12 have recognised early years qualifications.

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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 nursery. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager carried out a joint observation of a planned activity with the inspector. 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 and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector.

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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 February 2025 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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