Setting 2789740

Report for childcare on domestic premises

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

The provider has not ensured that all staff working in the setting have had the relevant suitability checks to work with children. Those staff whose suitability has not been checked are able to have unsupervised contact with children, this includes access to toilets and supporting younger children during nappy changing. The provider has failed to ensure all staff follow the setting's safeguarding policies and procedures. For example, staff use their personal mobile phones to take photos of the children to upload onto an online platform for parents. Consequently, this does not help to keep children safe.

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The provision is inadequate

Curriculum planning is not consistent and does not always meet the needs of all children. At times, learning opportunities are not tailored to respond to all children's needs, particularly the younger children. For example, child-led activities do not always have the support of an adult. The toddler-age children are expected to source resources and engage in activities independently. Some children do not yet have the confidence to complete such tasks. Therefore, on occasion, children's learning is not stimulated and, at times, they wander around the environment.

p.2

The provision is inadequate

Children show positive relationships with staff. Most children arrive at the setting happily. Staff respond warmly to children who need reassurance, which helps them settle and enjoy their day. Staff provide a warm and inviting, predominately Spanish speaking setting. Staff are kind and friendly. Children enjoy dancing to Spanish songs and converse confidently with staff in both English and Spanish throughout their day. Staff are good role models overall, promoting manners, establishing routines and behavioural expectations. Older children tidy away toys and resources when they have finished playing. The setting has a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

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need to do better?

n The provider has failed to notify Ofsted of every person looking after children on domestic premises. Consequently, Ofsted have not been able to check the suitability of all people working with children. Furthermore, staff who have not had their suitability checked have unsupervised contact with children. This puts children's safety at significant risk. n The provider does not ensure that all staff follow the safeguarding policy and procedures, with particular regard for the use of mobile phones. All staff use their personal mobile devices to take photos of children to upload to an online platform for parents. This practice is not in-line with the setting's policy. The provider does not have an adequate oversight of staff practice. This lack of vigilance demonstrates that safeguarding procedures, intended to keep children safe, are not being thoroughly implemented.

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need to do better?

18 July 2025 n Good hygiene routines are not consistently embedded. Children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. However, staff do not always wash their hands when completing intimate care routines, such as nappy changing. Inconsistent hygiene practice puts children at risk of the spread of infection. n Some staff do not always fully understand the curriculum intent and how they can put it into practice. At times, the child-led learning does not match children's needs. Some staff do not adapt the curriculum to meet all children's ages and abilities. This means, at times, young children wander around and find it difficult to join in with activities. As a result, children do not experience consistently good-quality learning at the setting. n The provider is mindful of staff well-being. Staff say they feel supported by the provider and enjoy their roles. The provider carries out supervisions for staff and

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need to do better?

identifies training needs. However, there are weaknesses in staff practice and their ability to adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of children. The monitoring of staff practice does not consistently develop the quality of education and the children's overall attitude to learning. n Children generally behave well. Older children wait patiently for their turn during a yoga activity, and young children sit well during a focused circle time. However, staff do not regularly respond to younger children's engagement during activities. This means, at times, some children struggle to develop positive attitudes for learning. At times, children do not become deeply engaged in their play. n Staff promote physical development through providing different resources in the outdoor and indoor environments. Children play with dough, colour and complete puzzles to develop their fine motor skills. They run, jump, climb and

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need to do better?

balance outside in the garden. Children's physical development is supported. n There are suitable arrangements in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff identify children's needs through observations and discuss these with parents. Staff seek advice from other professionals. They put individual plans in place to meet these children's needs. n Staff make parents aware of their child's key person. The provider informs parents of the activities their children have taken part in via the online app and daily verbal feedback. This helps parents to continue their child's learning at home.

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 effective safeguarding policies and procedures meet requirements, particularly around the use of staff mobile phones, and ensure they are adhered to at all times 18/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure all people looking after children are suitable and the required checks are completed for their roles 18/08/2025

p.4

Due date

implement clear and precise hygiene practices, with particular regard to intimate care, to ensure that children's good health is consistently supported. 18/08/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure staff have a secure knowledge of the curriculum intent so they implement this effectively to provide all children with good-quality learning experiences that match their age and stage of development 18/09/2025

p.4

Due date

ensure supervision arrangements for staff help them to improve their knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop their teaching skills so they can plan a consistently enjoyable, stimulating experience for all children. 18/08/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2789740 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 10411979 Type of provision Childcare on domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 24

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Imagine Montessori Childcare Ltd registered in 2024. It is situated in Upton, Chester. The setting employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold qualifications at level 3, three at level 2 and there is one unqualified member of staff. The setting opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5.30pm, for 51 weeks a year. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector held a leadership and management meeting with the provider. n The provider led the inspector on a learning walk, discussing the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the provider of older children taking part in a yoga activity. n The inspector observed the provision's practice, considering the quality of the education and the impact on the children's progress and development. 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 spoke with staff and discussed safeguarding knowledge.

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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

18 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.

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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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