Little St Matthias Pre School

Inspection of Little St Matthias Pre School St Matthias Community Centre, Poplar High Street, London E14 0AE

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

Leaders do not identify all potential risks to children's safety, which compromises their welfare. This includes weak risk assessment for the safe management of both the indoor and outdoor environments. Leaders further compromise children's welfare by failing to meet hygiene requirements. For example, chopping boards used to cut fruit and vegetables are dirty and unhygienic. Leaders and staff have not done enough to minimise risks to children. The spaces in which children play and learn are in poor condition. There are hazards, such as damaged equipment and blocked fire exits, that staff do not recognise and take steps to rectify. The environment is not warm and welcoming and does not support children to feel safe and secure.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

The quality of children's education is poor. The curriculum is weak and not understood by all staff. At times, staff will join in children's play. However, they do not interact effectively to enrich children's knowledge and skills. Children generally play with what they already know and can do. For example, they will select puzzles and play with construction blocks. However, due to the inconsistent support from staff, they do not show sustained levels of concentration. They quickly lose interest and become bored.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders do not ensure that staff have secure knowledge of their safeguarding responsibilities. They have not monitored staff knowledge of risk management and ensured staff are clear on reporting any changes to their ongoing suitablity to work with children. This significantly impacts the safety of children. n Leaders and staff fail to recognise the poor standards of hygiene throughout the setting. For example, high chairs have not been suitably cleaned for a significant time and are dirty. Soft furnishings and rugs are discoloured with grime. The kitchen, in which meals are prepared for children, is particularly hazardous and unclean. These breaches have a significant impact on children's safety and well- being. n Parts of the outdoor area are poorly maintained, which puts children at risk. For example, the provider has not taken steps to remove a broken plastic climbing frame. Furthermore, there are fox faeces, rubbish and stinging plants within the

p.2

need to do better?

area where children play. Staff fail to demonstrate an understanding of the implications for children's safety. This indicates risk assessment arrangements are not effective. n Staff do not follow procedures to check individual children's requirements or needs. Staff know individual children's dietary requirements. However, they are unclear if these are due to allergies or due to parental preferences. This means that staff caring for children do not have a clear understanding and knowledge

p.2

need to do better?

29 May 2025 of what children can and cannot eat and why. This compromises children's safety. n Leaders and staff do not identify and remove or minimise potential risks to children. For example, sometimes children walk around with items in their mouths. This poses a choking hazard. Leaders have not put systems in place to ensure that a qualified first aider is always on site when children are present. This means their safety and welfare cannot be assured. n The quality of education that children receive is poor. The staff team do not implement an effective curriculum, that supports children developing communication and language skills. Staff do not think carefully about what they want children to learn and why. Staff are not always aware of what children could learn from the activities they offer. This impacts children getting ready for their next stage of development. n Leaders have not put an effective key-person system in place. Absent key

p.2

need to do better?

persons are not replaced by staff who know children, understand their needs and can support them effectively. Staff do not have an accurate understanding of what their routines, likes and dislikes are. Younger children become unsettled and staff are unclear how to soothe them. This negatively impacts on children's emotional well-being. n The provider has not ensured that staff consistently complete progress checks for children aged between two and three years. This is a breach of requirements and does not support the exchange of key information with parents. n The provider does not ensure the staff have the knowledge and skills to carry out their roles effectively. Staff do not benefit from ongoing supervision, coaching and training to provide them with the support they need. n Staff are caring towards children. They teach them about festivals and cultures to develop a broader understanding of the world in which they live.

p.3

need to do better?

n Parents report they are happy with the provision and say their children enjoy attending. Staff provide parents with information about their child's day.

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

29 May 2025 ensure that all staff are clear on their safeguarding responsibilities, especially around their ongoing suitability to work with children 06/06/2025

p.3

Due date

improve hygiene arrangements to ensure compliance with the requirements of health and safety 06/06/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure robust risk assessments are implemented and that the process is effective in identifying and removing all potential hazards to children 06/06/2025

p.4

Due date

implement an effective system to ensure children's dietary requirements are clearly understood and taken into account throughout the day 06/06/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that there is at least one person who holds a current padediatric first aid (PFA) certificate on the premises and available at all times when children are present including outings 06/06/2025

p.4

Due date

provide support, coaching and training for all staff to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge, skills and understanding to fulfil their job roles 06/06/2025

p.4

Due date

strengthen the key-person arrangements to ensure children's individual needs are identified and met, including learning needs at all times. 06/06/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure that the progress check for children between the age of two and three years is carried out 06/06/2025

p.4

Due date

29 May 2025 support staff to plan and implement an ambitious, broad, well-sequenced curriculum for all children that provides challenge and builds on their existing skills and knowledge. 06/06/2025

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY537120 Local authority Tower Hamlets Inspection number 10380584 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.6

Registers

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

p.6

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person 1st Step Childcare Limited

p.6

reference number

Telephone number 07792766329 Date of previous inspection 14 June 2019

p.6

Information about this early years setting

Little St Matthias Pre School registered in 2016. It is situated in Poplar in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The pre-school is open from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm all year round. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. All staff hold relevant early years qualifications between level 2 and level 6. The nursery provides government funded early education for eligible children.

p.6

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The provider 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 observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of staff interacting with children with the manager.

p.7

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.7

Inspection activities

29 May 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.7

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.8

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.8

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8