Canopy Nurseries Potters Bar

Inspection of Canopy Nurseries Potters Bar 238 High Street, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 5DB

p.1

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 Not applicable

p.1

The provision is inadequate

The provider has failed to ensure that staff follow procedures to assure children's welfare. A member of staff without the required checks was left alone with sleeping babies. Additionally, new procedures to ensure that staff adhere to children's dietary requirements are not effective. The quality of education across the nursery is not consistently good. Staff do not challenge and extend learning opportunities well enough to ensure all children make good progress in their learning.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The nursery is set up to allow all children access to resources and play. However, staff do not support younger children's learning. This means children flit between activities with little purpose and are not always helped to extend their concentration skills. That said, staff greet children warmly and comfort them when they are upset. Generally, children are settled and choose what to play with. Babies handle board books appropriately. Toddlers spontaneously ask staff to read to them. Staff in the pre-school room hold interesting discussions with children about their favourite books when they borrow them from the nursery library. This helps children to develop an early love of reading.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider fails to ensure that staff are deployed suitably. Despite staff understanding that they cannot work unsupervised, on the day of inspection a member of staff who had not received their enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check was left alone with sleeping babies. This fails to assure children's welfare. n The provider notified Ofsted of an incident where a child was given food they were not allowed. Despite new procedures being put in place to manage dietary requirements more effectively, staff failed to follow them on the day of inspection. This does not promote children's safety or good health. n The leaders have clear curriculum intentions for the education of the children. However, not all staff deliver these effectively. The leaders have a clear plan to train and develop staff's skills. However, recent changes in staffing mean these developments have not yet had an impact on the quality of education.

p.2

need to do better?

n Routine times for younger children are not well organised throughout the day. At times, staff give children mixed messages about what is happening next. As a result, children sometimes appear to be bored and wander around the room with no purpose. For example, children wait for lunch for long periods of time with little interaction. n Staff get to know the children's needs, and the leaders support them to assess children's learning accurately. More-experienced staff deliver learning well, in particular for older children. Staff who work with older children provide a rich vocabulary for children to learn, linking these words to meaningful moments. For

p.2

need to do better?

24 April 2025 example, they pick litter in the local park and talk about how to recycle different materials, such as plastic and metal. n Staff sing with babies and younger children. This helps younger children to hear different language. During the inspection, one member of staff was singing with energy and enthusiasm, and the babies were engaged with this activity. However, this staff member could not provide the attention to all the babies who wanted to be involved. As a result, some of the children did not enjoy good- quality interactions during this activity, limiting their engagement and negatively impacting any potential learning. n Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills. Younger children feel shaving foam to experience different textures. Staff throw balls to toddlers to practise some coordination skills. Older children use tongs to pick up small items, strengthening their small finger muscles.

p.2

need to do better?

n Parents receive regular updates and assessments about their children's learning, including through the online learning journal. Staff work in partnership with parents to obtain as much information as possible to help children settle quickly. This includes a home visit to help gain insights into children's lives outside of the nursery.

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 all staff who work unsupervised with children have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check 16/05/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure staffing arrangements keep children safe by deploying suitably vetted staff appropriately, so they are not left alone with children 16/05/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure children's good health is promoted by managing children's dietary needs effectively 16/05/2025

p.3

Due date

24 April 2025 plan and implement a challenging and enjoyable learning experience for each child 27/06/2025

p.3

Due date

support children's needs with secure, organised routines to help them play and learn effectively 27/06/2025

p.4

Due date

implement the programme of professional development so that staff improve their teaching skills. 16/05/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2791430 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10401570 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 81 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Connect Learning Group Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01727482402 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Canopy Nurseries Potter Bar registered in 2024. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, and two hold a relevant qualification at level 6. The nursery is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, except for one week at Christmas. The setting provides funded early education for eligible children.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This inspection was carried out as a result of a risk assessment, following information received about the provider. n The manager and room leaders 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, including on a walk, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out two joint observations of planned activities. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and considered their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Children talked with the inspector during the inspection.

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

24 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