Nurture and Grow Childcare

Inspection of Nurture and Grow Childcare Baby Bears Day Care, 128 Dunthorne Way, Grange Farm, Milton Keynes MK8 0LW

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

There have been numerous staff changes at the nursery and this has undermined staff morale and confidence. The provider has not followed correct procedures for dealing with safeguarding matters. This has created uncertainty among the staff team. Staff deployment is weak and this compromises the care that staff can provide for children. Children are not always adequately supervised. The provider has introduced a new curriculum and this is not fully known and understood by staff. As a result, staff are not also always fully confident in supporting children to make progress in their learning.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, staff are attentive and caring towards children. Children develop close attachments to them and parents know who their child's key person is so they can exchange information. Overall, children behave well and enjoy spending time at the nursery. Staff identify when children need extra support with their learning. For example, through observations, staff recognise when children's speech and language is not developing as expected. They understand factors that might influence this, such as having a lot of screen time at home. Staff work alongside parents to develop plans of support to encourage children's communication and language development. Children appear settled and secure, despite the weaknesses that compromise their safety.

p.2

need to do better?

n The provider does not ensure that the policies and procedures that are in place to safeguard children are followed. They do not ensure that correct procedures are followed, for example, in relation to allegations against staff. These matters are not consistently reported to local safeguarding partners. Investigations into such matters are weak and there is insufficient oversight and review from the provider. Consequently, measures to keep children safe are not followed and this compromises their safety. n Staff deployment is ineffective. There are occasions where staff are not adequately supported. Staff sometimes work alone and, at these times, they are not always able to communicate with a colleague to get support when needed. As a result, they cannot meet children's needs. The provider does not check there are adequate staff, effectively deployed. This compromises children's safety and well-being. Furthermore, there are occasions when children have not

p.2

need to do better?

always been within sight and hearing of staff. n There has been significant staff turnover recently and this has had an impact on staff morale. Some staff lack confidence in the leaders taking the correct course of action in relation to safeguarding matters they raise. Although providers have introduced some measures to supervise and support the staff team, this has not been effective in ensuring there is a culture of mutual support, teamwork and

p.2

need to do better?

10 July 2025 continuous improvement. In turn, this has a negative impact on children's experiences. n Staff are beginning to understand the new curriculum. Staff are generally positive about the many recent changes and new approach the provider has introduced. However, the provider has not ensured that staff have training to enable them to fully understand new ideas, concepts and approaches to children's learning. Consequently, staff are not fully certain how to implement the curriculum effectively or identify relevant next steps in learning for children. n Children enjoy playing outdoors, where there are apparatus that encourage them to test out their physical skills and be active. Staff generally support them well during this time. However, sometimes children run around and become very boisterous. This leads to them falling over and bumping into, and knocking over, younger children. Staff do not intervene to discourage the running or help

p.2

need to do better?

children to channel their desire to play in this way. n The provider is developing the outdoor area and trying to encourage children to learn through nature and natural experiences. Recent activities of watching butterflies grow and develop from chrysalises have really excited the children. n Staff develop positive relationships with parents. They share information about children's progress and let parents know that children are settled, especially when children are new to the setting. This reassures parents.

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 safeguarding policies and procedures are robustly implemented, especially in the event of an allegation against a member of staff being made 31/07/2025

p.3

Due date

ensure that children are always within sight and hearing and that staff deployment is safe and effective so children's needs are met 31/07/2025

p.3

Due date

10 July 2025 put appropriate measures in place to offer all staff suitable support, coaching and training, creating an environment of mutual support and ensuring that staff are able to improve their personal effectiveness 31/07/2025

p.3

Due date

embed the curriculum, increasing staff awareness of how they can deliver the curriculum effectively and identify relevant next steps in learning for children. 31/07/2025

p.4

should:

n provide support for children to enable them to explore their desire to engage in rigorous physical play in a safe and meaningful manner.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number 2808342 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 10411902 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 75 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person Baby Bears Child Care Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 01908501032 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Nurture and Grow Nursery registered in 2024 and operates from Grange Farm, Milton Keynes. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The setting offers government funded places for children aged nine months to four years.

p.5

Inspection activities

n This inspection was prioritised following a risk assessment process. n The inspector discussed the intent of the curriculum, observed its implementation during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n A joint observation was completed and discussed with the manager. n During the inspection, the inspector held a meeting with the manager and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at suitable times throughout the inspection. n Parents were invited to share their views with the inspector. Several parents discussed their views during the inspection and the inspector took account of all feedback received.

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

10 July 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