Starfish Preschool & Holiday Club

Inspection of Starfish Preschool & Holiday Club 1,Ward Street, Oldham, Lancs OL9 9EX

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

Multiple safeguarding and welfare requirements are not met in this setting. This significantly impacts on children's health, safety and the care they receive. Staffing requirements are not consistently adhered to, meaning that, sometimes, children are not adequately supervised. Furthermore, there are not consistently enough staff in the room with children to reduce accidents or keep children safe from harm. When children have accidents in the setting, the procedures for recording any injuries incurred are not always followed. This means that information shared with parents is not consistently accurate.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The quality of education is variable. Leaders have created a clear and organised curriculum to help children make progress from the start. However, some staff do not use effective teaching techniques to deliver this to all children.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children engage in a range of activities on offer to them and enjoy playing board games with staff. Children are encouraged to be independent, and staff praise their achievements. They enjoy playing outside, where staff encourage them to run, climb and balance. This helps to develop their physical skills. Staff support children to respect each other. They have established bonds with children and know their individual needs. Children come into the setting with smiles and greet staff with confidence as they find an area they wish to play in. Staff paint children's faces and children hop around the room pretending to be Easter bunnies. Although children are happy and content in their play, the weaknesses identified in the setting mean that children are not safe.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders do not ensure that staff are deployed effectively enough to keep children safe from harm. For instance, there are times when children are solely supervised by one unqualified member of staff. Furthermore, staff sometimes situate themselves where children are out of their sight. This means that children are not being monitored adequately enough to keep them safe from harm or to reduce the risk of accident and injury occurring. n Although the setting has an adequate number of qualified staff available to work with children, the staff-to-child ratios in some areas used have not been met to maintain the safety of children at all times. For example, at times, large numbers of children are supervised by one member of staff in the pre-school room. This means that the quality of care and security for children is significantly lowered. n Leaders do not always ensure that senior staff have a secure knowledge and

p.2

need to do better?

understanding of how to swiftly respond to safeguarding concerns and follow the correct procedures in the event of an allegation against staff. However, there are some processes in place for the staff left in charge to seek advice from the

p.2

need to do better?

14 April 2025 partner setting that is close by. n Although staff know to complete a form on the online system if children have an accident, they do not consistently do so with accuracy. For example, there is sometimes minimal detail recorded to explain the injury or first-aid treatment given. Furthermore, at times, staff who have not witnessed accidents have signed the records. This does not give parents a true account of how their child has sustained an injury or how it has been treated. This compromises the safety of children. n Generally, children are supported through their learning and staff have plans in place to help them make progress. However, some staff have not been supported enough to develop their teaching skills in order to deliver the intended curriculum and help to extend children's thinking skills. For example, children are occasionally asked closed questions and are not supported by staff to correct

p.2

need to do better?

information when they get it wrong. Staff do not consistently check what children know and can do. This limits their learning. n Staff help children to use their manners and take turns during play. They help children to talk about their feelings, and have identified some children who struggle to regulate their emotions. Staff have created calming areas for children to use. This helps children to remain happy in the setting and be able to manage their behaviour better. n Parents are happy with the updates they receive about their children's interests and what they have been learning. They are encouraged to attend stay-and-play sessions with staff and children and borrow books to help continue children's learning at home. n Staff know children well and plan carefully to meet their learning needs. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported to get the extra help they require to keep making progress. Staff recognise gaps in learning and

p.3

need to do better?

swiftly create targeted plans to support all children. n Children follow hygiene routines, and staff support them to understand healthy food choices. Staff offer home-cooked snacks and meals for children. Staff have undergone food safety training. They know how to manage children's allergies and dietary requirements.

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

ensure that staffing arrangements meet the needs of children in order to keep them safe 30/04/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that at least half of all staff hold at least an approved level 2 qualification 30/04/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that relevant information is shared with parents and other relevant professionals, so that the needs of all children are met, particularly concerning accidents and injuries 30/04/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that all staff have a secure understanding of how to implement safeguarding policies and procedures, including in the event of an allegation. 30/04/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that staff receive adequate coaching that helps them to improve their skills and understanding, including their effective delivery and teaching of the curriculum. 30/06/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2799882 Local authority Oldham Inspection number 10397686 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 57 Number of children on roll 36 Name of registered person Starfish Day Nursery Ltd

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 0161 626 9470 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Starfish Preschool & Holiday Club registered in 2024. The setting employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold an appropriate childcare qualification at level 5, one is qualified at level 4 and three at level 3. The pre- school part of the provision opens from 9am until 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. Additionally, the holiday club runs during school holidays from 8am until 5.30pm. The setting provides funded early education for children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n The inspector and the deputy manager completed a learning walk across all areas of the setting to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n Two joint observations of teaching activities were carried out by the inspector and the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting. n A meeting was held between the inspector, the deputy manager and the manager of the pre-school's other setting. The nominated individual joined the meeting via telephone.

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

14 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.

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