Ladybird Kindergarten

Inspection of Ladybird Kindergarten Little Warley & Childerditch Village Hall, Magpie Lane,Little Warley, BRENTWOOD, Essex CM13 3DZ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The provider has not ensured that they have followed procedures to check the suitability of staff working with children. They do not check the ongoing suitability of staff to determine if they should continue to work with children. The provider has not ensured that documentation relating to staff recruitment is available. Staff do not receive training in safeguarding procedures or have an induction that ensures they understand the setting's safeguarding policies. The provider does not carry out supervision with staff to discuss any concerns they may have or identify any performance issues or training needs.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The provider has not ensured that staff receive training and mentoring to help them effectively deliver the curriculum. Staff do not understand how to use assessment to monitor the progress children make. They do not plan challenging next steps in learning for children. This means that children do not benefit from high-quality teaching and learning to support their development.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses, children are happy at the setting and engage positively with staff. Children ask to help set the table for snack, for example they busily collect the tablecloth and bowls for the rubbish, showing they understand the routine. They are kind to their friends and play well together. Children are imaginative and engage in dressing-up games, making up their own rules.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider has not carried out appropriate suitability checks for staff. This includes checks made by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Staff without suitability checks are left unsupervised with children and carry out intimate hygiene tasks, such as nappy changing. Staff can describe some signs and symptoms of abuse. However, they are not aware of the procedure to report any concerns they may have about a child or how to whistle-blow. This places children at risk of harm. Furthermore, the provider has not adequately maintained her training as a designated safeguarding lead. She demonstrates a weak understanding of the steps to follow in the event of having concerns about a child. n Staff have not received a suitable induction to enable them to access, read and understand the setting's policies and procedures. As a result, staff are not aware of their safeguarding responsibilities, including how to raise concerns about the

p.2

need to do better?

provider. Children are not always within sight or hearing. For example, staff go to the bathroom and leave children in the main room alone, which compromises their safety. n The provider has not implemented systems to monitor and manage staff performance. Despite having concerns about the quality of staff interactions, the

p.2

need to do better?

28 February 2025 provider has failed to take steps to support and improve staff performance. Furthermore, the provider has identified weaknesses in staff safeguarding knowledge but has not ensured that staff complete appropriate training to improve their knowledge and protect children from the risk of harm. n The provider has not considered how staff might respond to intruders despite the outdoor space being easily accessible to the public. Risk assessments and safeguards to stop children climbing over fences in blind spots are not put in place before children access the garden, which means they could leave the premises if left unsupervised. n The provider is ambitious for children. She has a good understanding of how children learn and describes learning experiences that stretch and challenge children. The provider is clear about the seven areas of learning and how these are supported. However, she has not ensured that staff have the knowledge and

p.2

need to do better?

skills to deliver the curriculum effectively. Staff do not demonstrate a secure understanding of how children learn and how to use assessment to identify next steps in their learning and development. This means that children are not supported to reach their full potential. n Children generally behave well but when outside, staff do not support children to develop an awareness of safety. For example, children ride scooters at speed and are not supported to consider the safety of others. Furthermore, when children run behind the shed, staff begin by telling them to come out, but then laugh at them and play games. This does not set clear expectations for children as staff do not apply rules consistently. n Children enjoy matching games. They play together and show pride when they successfully complete the game. Mark-making opportunities help children to develop their fine motor skills and creativity, but these activities are short lived

p.3

need to do better?

as they do not inspire children or hold their interest. n Parents say they feel informed about their child's time at the setting and like the fact that the setting is small and quiet.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

28 February 2025 implement effective and robust recruitment procedures to ensure that those caring for children are suitable to do so 04/04/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure that those with lead responsibility for safeguarding complete relevant training, maintain appropriate records and ensure they are able to provide support and guidance to other staff 04/04/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that all those who care for children receive adequate training in their safeguarding responsibilities including an understanding of the safeguarding policy and procedures 04/04/2025

p.4

Due date

implement effective arrangements for staff inductions to help them understand their roles and responsibilities 04/04/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure there are appropriate arrangements in place for staff supervision that provide opportunities for staff to discuss any issues about children they care for, and their performance and training 04/04/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure there are clear risk assessments carried out that identify how best to keep children safe when using the outdoor space including adequate supervision and how to respond to an unauthorised person entering the premises. 04/04/2025

p.4

Due date

support staff to deliver an ambitious curriculum, taking into account the starting points for children, their interests and development, so that they make good progress. 30/04/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 508724 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10376183 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 12 Name of registered person Harvey, Christel Monika

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01277 212288 Date of previous inspection 21 May 2019

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Ladybird Kindergarten registered in 1993. It is located in Little Warley in Essex. The kindergarten operates on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.15am until 12.15pm, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am until 3pm. There are two members of childcare staff, both of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The kindergarten provides funded early education for three- and four-year-old children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The provider joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector spoke with the provider about the leadership and management of the setting. n Parents shared their views with the inspector during the inspection and their views were taken into account. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and interactions, both inside and in the garden.

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

28 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.

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