Playhouse Day Nursery

Inspection of Playhouse Day Nursery The Playhouse, 5 St Mary's Road, Smethwick, West Midlands B67 5DG

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of teaching and learning that children receive in this nursery is variable. Some of the activities provided help children to develop their communication and language and relate to adults and their peers. However, staff do not organise and manage adult-led activities well enough. They do not provide enough resources, incorporate children's next steps in learning, or provide them with engaging and challenging learning experiences to enhance their development. Therefore, at times, children do not receive the interactions and support they need in order to progress at a good level.

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The provision requires improvement

Mealtimes are sociable occasions. Children sit and eat together and are supported by staff to use a spoon or fork. Staff praise children for eating their food and trying foods that they have previously refused to eat, such as slices of oranges. Children develop a love of books, which are readily available at their level. Staff support children to enjoy the books alone, with their peers, or listen to a story read to them by staff. Children also learn to look after books as they are encouraged to handle them with care and put them away on the bookshelf after use.

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need to do better?

n Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been sufficiently addressed. Staff raise concerns with the provider about the environment and where repairs are necessary. For example, staff have recently informed the provider of gaps between the wall and the skirting boards that has resulted in the crumbling of plaster and paint. The provider acknowledges that there are improvements necessary regarding the maintenance of the premises. She has made some temporary arrangements to keep children safe. The provider has plans in place to address the remaining repairs. n There have been some changes in the management structure since the last inspection. Qualified staff act as room leaders, and the small staff team share warm relationships with one another. Apprentices appreciate the support that the staff give in helping them with their studies. However, leaders do not monitor staff practice well enough. As a result, children do not receive the best-

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need to do better?

quality learning experiences, especially with regard to the activities that are led by adults. n Children enjoy spending time with one another. They like to play with soft toys and pretend they are preparing them to go to sleep by wrapping them in a blanket. However, staff do not organise and manage some of the adult-led activities sufficiently, and this results in children becoming disengaged and bored. Consequently, this restricts children's learning and the progress they can make. n Staff are supported to understand their roles and responsibilities to keep children

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need to do better?

15 April 2025 safe from harm. Staff mobile phones are not permitted for use in rooms used by the children. There is a wealth of visual information displayed about safeguarding children. Although there are no children currently attending with special educational needs and/or disabilities, staff know what to do if they are concerned about a delay in children's development. n There are some appropriate strategies in place to manage children's behaviour. That said, staff are not always fully effective in helping children to regulate their own behaviour and understand the difference between right and wrong. For example, staff do not provide children with consequences for their behaviour when they climb on the bookcase or throw sand. n Parents say that they are happy with the service they receive. Parents comment on how their children are supported to settle on arrival each day.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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Due date

make sure that all staff have the required skills and knowledge to improve the quality of teaching, to enable them to provide stimulating and challenging activities that incorporate children's individual next steps in their learning 09/05/2025

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Due date

ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to monitor staff practice, and provide coaching and support for all staff that raises the quality of the experiences provided, with specific reference to adult-led activities. 09/05/2025

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should:

n support staff to implement more-effective arrangements for managing children's behaviour to help children know what is expected of them and how to behave.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 255146 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 10401445 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 16 Name of registered person Kerr, Yvonne Jennifer

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 429 4261 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2023

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Information about this early years setting

Playhouse Day Nursery has been operating since in 1987 and is located in Smethwick. The provider employs eight members of childcare staff, six of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2, 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am to 6pm. The nursery receives funding to provide early education places for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 provider. n The inspector had a tour of the nursery and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. The inspector completed a learning walk with the nursery manager and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided and assessed the impact this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the provider and her manager about the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the deputy manager. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

15 April 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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