Lexham Gardens Playhouse

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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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 has failed to notify Ofsted of all adults working on the premises so suitability checks can be made, which is a significant breach of requirements. Further weaknesses in leadership and management, such as poor hygiene arrangements, compromise children's health. These breaches of requirements put children at risk.

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The provision is inadequate

Curriculum planning is narrow and fails to meet the needs of all children. At times, learning opportunities are not tailored to meet all children's needs, particularly the younger children. For example, there is a focus on counting and phonics for all age groups, which is too advanced for the youngest children. Older children take part in group activities, such as dramatic storytelling sessions. Younger children explore the texture of cereals during messy play. However, there are times when activities are too complicated or not challenging enough for children's level of learning. As a result, on occasion, children's learning is not stimulated and, at times, they become overwhelmed.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite these concerns, children are happy and well settled at the nursery. They make friends and generally play well together. Children learn to cooperate and take turns in group activities. Staff have good relationships with the children. They interact in a fun way and play games, such as 'What's the time Mr Wolf?'

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need to do better?

n Although the provider has obtained a disclosure and barring service check (DBS) for all staff, Ofsted is also responsible for checking the suitability of every person looking after children on domestic premises. The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of all staff working on the premises. This is a breach of requirements, which puts children at risk. n The arrangements for supporting staff's professional development are not effective. Although staff access training and receive feedback on their practice, this learning is not embedded. There are weaknesses in staff's understanding of how children learn, which impacts on the quality of teaching. For example, staff frequently initiate games and ask a lot of questions without giving them sufficient time to process what is being asked of them and formulate a response. This limits how well children learn to develop their own ideas and thinking. n The provider does not promote children's good health. Staff and children do not

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need to do better?

consistently wash their hands after blowing their noses. Furthermore, children frequently touch the bin to dispose of paper towels after washing their hands. This is unhygienic and means children do not learn to manage their own health. n Children's learning is not well supported. The curriculum is not broad enough to support all areas of learning set out in the early years foundation stage. This

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need to do better?

28 February 2025 particularly impacts the learning and development of the youngest children as there is insufficient focus on the prime areas of learning. At times, young children wander around and find it difficult to join in with the planned group activities. n Weaknesses in the key-person arrangements impact on children's learning. Staff do not use what they know about children's interests and the next steps in their learning to plan suitably challenging and exciting experiences for all children. Children are not sufficiently supported to take their learning to the next level. n Children have some opportunities to become independent, such as helping themselves to water and washing their hands. However, children are not consistently challenged to develop the skills they will need in later life, such as using cutlery and taking off their own boots. This impacts on how well children are prepared for the next stage of their learning.

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need to do better?

n Children generally behave well. Older children wait patiently for their turn, and young children try hard to dig in the soil. However, the weaknesses outlined above impact on how well children develop positive attitudes for learning. At times, children do not become deeply engaged in their play. n There are suitable arrangements in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff identify children's needs through observations and discuss these with parents. Staff seek advice from other professionals. They put individual plans in place to meet these children's needs. n The provider works in partnership with parents. Parents receive updates about children's development. Staff provide advice on how to support children's learning and development at home.

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

take action to notify Ofsted of all adults living and working on the premises so the required suitability checks can be completed 14/03/2025

p.3

Due date

28 February 2025 improve opportunities for staff to develop their knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop their teaching skills 14/03/2025

p.3

Due date

improve the hygiene arrangements to minimise the spread of infection and promote good health. 14/03/2025

p.4

Due date

improve the key person arrangements, so staff use what they know about children to plan a consistently enjoyable, stimulating experience for all children 14/03/2025

p.4

Due date

implement a broad curriculum that is ambitious for all children and is sufficiently sequenced to meet all children's learning needs. 14/03/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY431892 Local authority Kensington and Chelsea Inspection number 10372585 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 14

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 April 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Lexham Gardens Playhouse registered in 2011. The nursery operates from domestic premises and is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, during school term times. The nursery offers before- and after-school care and holiday provision for children under five years. The nursery provides government funded early education. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of whom, four hold relevant childcare qualifications from level 3 to level 6.

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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 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, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager carried out joint observations of group activities with the inspector. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

28 February 2025 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

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.

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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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