The Old School House Day Nursery

Inspection of The Old School House Day Nursery Church Lane, Middleton, Tamworth B78 2AW

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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

There are weaknesses in the management of the nursery that lead to breaches in the safeguarding and welfare requirements. Staff do not do enough to prevent unauthorised persons accessing the premises. Nappy changing and toilet facilities do not promote the good health of children. First thing in the morning, statutory staff-to-child ratios are not met. As a result, children's health and safety is compromised.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff offer some interesting learning experiences to children. However, these do not consistently motivate all children to engage and participate. As a result, some children wander and roam around the environment with little focus. Staff do not organise routines and transition times well enough. Children spend too long waiting for their meals to arrive or to have their nappy changed. Consequently, children do not make the progress they are capable of.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff encourage children to be independent. Children demonstrate proficient use of cutlery to feed themselves. They independently access their drinking water bottles and help to tidy up. Older children contribute to the outdoor risk assessments, and staff encourage children to work together. Children show respect and kindness towards each other, and they enjoy coming to nursery.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not ensure that the premises are fully secure. Staff do not consistently lock doors to prevent unauthorised access to the nursery. In addition, staff leave ground-floor windows wide open and do not recognise this as a risk. This affects the security of the premises and puts children at risk of harm. n The overall cleanliness and hygiene are not good enough. Despite staff recognising that nappy changing mats are ripped and not fit for purpose, they have not ensured that enough replacements are ordered. This means staff continue to use mats that cannot be cleaned sufficiently. Dirty toilet brushes are left within the reach of children and positioned in areas that children access independently. Clean plates and cutlery are stored in outdoor cupboards that are dirty. This puts children at risk of cross-contamination of germs and does not promote their good health. n First thing in the morning, the qualification requirements and staff-to-child ratios

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need to do better?

are not met. Children are cared for in large groups. Staff struggle to meet the needs of all the children effectively. This affects both the safety and well-being of the children. n Leaders describe what they want children to learn in the nursery. However, they do not monitor the implementation of the curriculum effectively. Poor planning of

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need to do better?

2 June 2025 the nursery routines means children spend too long waiting without purpose. For example, pre-school children wait a long time until their lunch is served. Having washed their hands once, children get bored and get up from the table and play again, meaning they then eat with unwashed hands. Toddler-age children sit and wait on a hallway floor while a number of nappy changes take place. There is little to do, and learning is therefore limited. n All children experience daily outdoor play and fresh air. Staff are conscious of sun safety and adverse weather. Children learn about the world around them and care for the nursery animals. n Support for children's developing communication and language is effective. Staff prioritise song and story time. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are regularly assessed and their progress shared with parents and external professionals. Staff complete training that is specific for the needs of

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need to do better?

their key children. This helps them to know their children well and set individualised targets to help close any gaps they may have in their learning and development. n Parents feel that communication with the nursery staff is a strength. Staff share information and ideas in a variety of ways to support parents to continue children's learning at home. Staff hold regular meetings with parents. Children's transitions between base rooms are thoroughly considered. Parents are fully involved in the decision. This helps to build effective partnerships between home and nursery. n Staff say they are happy in their roles. They feel there is a supportive environment from leaders. Less-experienced staff get the time they need for training. Leaders plan a thorough induction, which is also shared with agency staff. Overall, this helps staff to understand their roles and responsibilities and who to report any concerns to if needed.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

ensure all reasonable steps are taken to prevent unauthorised access to the premises 02/07/2025

p.3

Due date

2 June 2025 ensure there are suitable hygienic changing facilities for any children who are in nappies 02/07/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure hygiene measures are in place to promote children's good health 02/07/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure statutory staff-to-child ratios and qualification requirements are met so that staff can meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety 02/07/2025

p.4

Due date

plan and deliver a challenging and stimulating curriculum that consistently motivates children to engage and learn. 02/07/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2597717 Local authority Warwickshire Inspection number 10404485 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 76 Number of children on roll 132 Name of registered person Middleton Daycare Group Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01213083923 Date of previous inspection 22 October 2021

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Information about this early years setting

The Old School House Day Nursery registered in 2020. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 to level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.15am until 6pm. The nursery offers the government-funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged 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 nursery. n The inspectors viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The deputy manager, area manager and an inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspectors during the inspection. n The inspectors talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspectors 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 inspectors.

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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

2 June 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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