Horwich Day Nursery

Inspection of Horwich Day Nursery The Annex Building, Church Street, Horwich, BOLTON BL6 6AA

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

The provider lacks a clear understanding of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage' and fails to meet some of the requirements. This has led to several breaches that have impacted the overall provision. A lack of effective oversight has further contributed to low staff morale and poor well-being across the team. The provider has not ensured that staff access the mandatory training necessary to fulfil their roles, including child protection training for lead practitioners. Furthermore, not all staff hold the appropriate qualifications for their responsibilities, to ensure that they can meet the needs of the children in their care effectively. Poor planning of space and resources has compromised the care of younger children, particularly when they are moved into areas designed for older children to meet the ratio requirements.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff do not provide a curriculum that offers appropriate levels of challenge and meets the needs of all children. While efforts are underway to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), these processes are not yet well established. As a result, there are delays in identifying and addressing gaps in children's learning.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff are warm and welcoming. This helps children to feel secure and build positive relationships with others. Children settle well. They are confident to lead their own play and ask for support and help when needed. Staff support children to form good relationships. They are good role models, promoting manners, establishing routines and behavioural expectations. Children behave well, listen to staff and respond. For example, when asked, older children help tidy away their toys ready for lunchtime.

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need to do better?

n The arrangements for staffing are not always effective in meeting children's needs. There has been a high staff turnover and ongoing staffing issues. The provider has not ensured that there is a manager in place with an approved qualification at level 3 or above. Furthermore, the provider fails to ensure that staff have the qualifications and training required for their roles and responsibilities. As a result, leaders and staff are not able to fulfil all aspects of their role effectively. n Leaders fail to plan staff deployment effectively during routine organisational tasks. For instance, they often bring children back indoors shortly after they begin outdoor play, so staff can complete other duties. These decisions, influenced by the need for qualified supervision and limited staffing, disrupt children's learning and play experiences. n The provider has not ensured that all staff are suitable to look after children.

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need to do better?

28 July 2025 They have not carried out appropriate suitability checks for all staff working in the setting. This includes enhanced criminal records checks. This means that leaders cannot be assured of staff's suitability to care for children and fulfil their roles. This does not promote children's welfare. n Leaders and staff have undertaken some training, including basic safeguarding. Staff know how to report any concerns to the designated safeguarding lead. However, the provider has not ensured that those in lead safeguarding roles complete the required child protection training. As a result, they lack the knowledge needed to implement robust safeguarding policies and procedures in line with the local safeguarding partnership. This limits the effectiveness of measures in place to protect children. n The arrangements in place to support children with SEND are not embedded. Leaders have now ensured there is a special educational needs coordinator in

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need to do better?

place. The setting are working to improve systems for making referrals to outside agencies to secure support for children with SEND. However, staff do not act swiftly when concerns are identified to ensure children access the support they need. This does not ensure children with SEND make good progress in their learning. n Staff do not make full use of the available spaces to support the care, learning and development needs of children under two years old. Ongoing staffing issues and low attendance levels have led leaders to merge children from different age groups. Staff plan activities based on children's interests, such as encouraging older children to explore mark making with various objects to support their small muscle development and hand-eye coordination in preparation for early writing. However, these activities do not consistently meet the developmental needs of younger children. As a result, these younger children often become restless and

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need to do better?

distracted when mixed with older age groups. n Poor organisation prevents the provider from maintaining effective oversight of the provision, including maintaining required records. During the inspection, records were not organised, or easily accessible and available when requested. This lack of organisation compromises the setting's ability to meet the requirements. n Children show a strong sense of belonging as they independently hang their coats and bags upon arrival. Children have a designated tray, where they store their personal belongings, reinforcing their sense of ownership and routine. This supports children's confidence, independence and emotional security within the setting. n Children develop a love of books as they listen with interest to stories shared by staff. Staff promote attentive listening by reminding children to use their 'listening ears'. They engage children by asking a range of questions throughout

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need to do better?

the story to check understanding. This helps children to foster a positive attitude towards reading and storytelling.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

28 July 2025 There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

ensure there is a qualified manager in place who has the appropriate qualifications, training, skills and knowledge 26/08/2025

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Due date

ensure staffing arrangements meet the needs of all children 26/08/2025

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Due date

implement robust vetting procedures for all new staff to ensure their suitability to work with children has been established 26/08/2025

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Due date

ensure designated safeguarding leads have up-to-date training and knowledge of safeguarding issues in line with local safeguarding reporting and procedures 26/08/2025

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Due date

ensure effective arrangements are in place to support children with SEND, that include making timely assessments and referrals, to ensure their individual needs are met 26/08/2025

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Due date

ensure required documents are organised and readily available for inspection. 26/08/2025

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Due date

28 July 2025 ensure staff effectively implement the curriculum for all children throughout the day, with particular regard for younger children when they spend time with children in groups of different ages. 26/08/2025

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should:

n consider the organisation of some daily routines and tasks so that they do not interrupt children's play and limit learning in their chosen activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2836747 Local authority Bolton Inspection number 10414194 Type of provision Childcare on non-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 95 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person HORWICH DAY NURSERY LIMITED

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reference number

Telephone number 01204 667606 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Horwich Day Nursery registered in March 2025 and is located in Horwich, Bolton. The nursery employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, four members of staff holds a qualification at level 3 and above. The setting operates Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm with the exception of bank holidays.

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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 provider. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The manager showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The manager 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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.

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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

28 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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