Childcare on Domestic Premises, Full day care in Bexley

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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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

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The provision is inadequate

There are significant weaknesses in the arrangements to promote children's safety. The provider does not have a secure understanding of her role and responsibilities to ensure that children are safe in her care. Significant weaknesses in leadership mean that not all statutory requirements are met. This impacts on children's learning, development and well-being. Despite this, staff do have basic knowledge about child protection and what they would do if they were concerned about a child in their care.

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The provision is inadequate

The provider has discontinued the key-person system as staff currently lack the necessary knowledge and experience. As a result, staff are not fully aware of each child's individual needs, which are not always being addressed effectively. Managers are aware of how to monitor and assess children's development. However, they lack a clear understanding of the specific learning objectives for children. The expectations set for children are not consistently high across all age groups within the nursery. Furthermore, staff do not offer children an ambitious curriculum that promotes and enhances their learning and development. Consequently, this results in children not consistently participating in meaningful learning experiences.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the weaknesses in this setting, children appear content and well settled within the provision. They establish positive relationships with their peers and generally participate in play with enthusiasm. Children engage in group activities that support the development of cooperative behaviours, including the ability to share and take turns. They display empathy and consideration towards one another. The interactions between different age groups are positive and respectful.

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need to do better?

n There are considerable weaknesses in leadership and management that impact negatively on children's safety and well-being in this setting. Although not working directly with children, while on the premises, some staff with leadership and safeguarding responsibilities consume alcohol while children are present. This compromises children's safety as these staff may be required to respond in an emergency situation. Furthermore, in the afternoon, managers are no longer on duty, leaving staff without a responsible person who is capable and qualified to take charge of the setting. n The provider does not ensure that a named deputy manager is present on site to assume responsibility in the absence of the manager. This is a breach of statutory requirements and raises concerns about the effectiveness of leadership arrangements. As a result, there is not always a designated person in charge during the setting's operating hours, which compromises the overall

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need to do better?

19 June 2025 accountability and oversight of the provision. n The provider does not ensure that all children have a key person to meet their individual needs. This impacts on children's emotional well-being as some staff are unaware of children's routines, interests and their unique needs. Staff demonstrate a limited understanding of child development. Consequently, the next steps identified for some children are not suitable for their age and ability. This means that the activities provided are neither appropriate nor suitable for children's age and developmental stage. n The organisation of the daily routine poses challenges for young children. There are periods that require children to sit for prolonged stretches consecutively, which leads to young children remaining seated for extended periods. Consequently, this causes them to become restless and reduces the time available for children to learn and explore.

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need to do better?

n Children have opportunities to access fresh air and develop their physical skills when they use the garden. Staff prepare children for the hot weather. For example, they apply sunscreen, make sure that all children wear hats and have access to drinking water. n Staff teach children hygiene routines. Staff demonstrate to children how to wipe their noses. They encourage children to wash their hands before they eat and after using the toilet or cleaning their noses. n Children show emerging independence by dressing themselves, using the bathroom and locating personal items, such as their water bottles. However, staff provide children with spoons for foods that require cutting, and older children face difficulties using the plastic cutlery available. This limits their opportunity to develop essential skills for using a knife and fork. n Although staff sit with children during mealtimes, their supervision is

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need to do better?

occasionally lacking. For instance, staff become distracted by tablets, resulting in reduced awareness of children's behaviour and safety at the table. n Staff do not provide meaningful learning experiences for children. For example, when children are building with blocks, staff reposition the blocks placed by children to stop them falling over. This does not support children to develop problem-solving skills. Furthermore, staff do not use strategies to extend children's thinking and language well. For example, they do not expand on what children say. This means, sometimes, children do not develop their communication and language even further.

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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.

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Due date

ensure that all staff receive training and professional development opportunities to enable them to fully understand their roles, and offer good quality learning and development opportunities for children 11/07/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure no-one consumes alcohol in or on the premises when children are present 11/07/2025

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Due date

ensure that a named deputy is present and in charge in the manager's absence 11/07/2025

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Due date

implement an effective key-person system that promotes individual children's needs. 11/07/2025

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Due date

improve planning and assessment to ensure that children's next steps in their development are precise and teaching meets the needs of all children 11/07/2025

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Due date

develop the curriculum to ensure that it clearly identifies what children need to learn, how this reflects their individual needs and offers appropriate challenge, to help them to make good progress 11/07/2025

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Due date

improve teaching and interactions so that children have access to consistently high-quality learning opportunities that enhance their knowledge and skills. 11/07/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2560316 Local authority Bexley Inspection number 10402088 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 17 Number of children on roll 25

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 June 2021

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Information about this early years setting

Shooting Star Childcare (Welling) registered in 2020 and operates from a house in Welling, in the London Borough of Bexley. The provider employs seven members of staff. Of those, four staff hold qualifications at level 2 and two staff hold qualifications at level 4. The setting operates Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children interacted with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. 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 setting.

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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

19 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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