Smartkiddies Childcare (registration until: 09 Feb

Inspection of Smartkiddies Childcare English Martyrs Church Hall, Stead Street, London, Walworth SE17 1BF

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders have failed to take sufficient action to improve since the last inspection. There remain significant weaknesses in the leadership and management, which continue to impact on the quality of children's care, learning and development. The failure to maintain improvements in the safeguarding arrangements means that children's safety is not assured.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders have a poor understanding of the learning and development requirements. They fail to design a curriculum that meets all children's needs and extends their learning well. Staff organise activities that fail to inspire or engage children. Staff fail to consider the individual needs, interests and development of each child in their care. The leaders' curriculum to support children's learning and development is inadequate.

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The provision is inadequate

Staff fail to consistently support children to understand the behaviour that is expected of them. When children display unwanted behaviour, staff do not consistently explain why the behaviour may be right or wrong. This does not help children to learn to distinguish acceptable and unacceptable behaviours and how behaviours make other people feel. Despite the weaknesses, overall, children enjoy their time at the setting. They enjoy playing with blocks and exploring with water.

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need to do better?

n Leaders do not ensure that all staff receive safeguarding training. Also, leaders do not make sure that staff gain a correct understanding of safeguarding procedures. Subsequently, some staff are uncertain about the correct steps to take to safeguard children should they have child protection concerns. This has a significant impact on children's safety and well-being. n Children's emotional well-being is not well supported. When children squabble, staff respond with inconsistent strategies. Staff do not teach children how to develop positive behaviours. They do not consistently manage children's behaviour in ways that help them to understand the consequences of their actions. n Leaders have made insufficient improvements across the early years foundation stage. The curriculum does not sequence learning to build on what children need to learn next. Leaders have some knowledge of what they want children to

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need to do better?

learn. However, staff do not plan and implement activities and experiences to invite their curiosity. For instance, staff take children to the park each day. Children happily run around and climb apparatus. However, staff follow children around without engaging well with them. The curriculum to support children lacks wonder and challenge. n The learning programme for communication and language is ineffective. Staff

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need to do better?

8 August 2025 provide children with limited interactions and activities that support their understanding, listening and attention skills. Children do not develop strong foundations in their communication and language skills. Staff know children well, but they do not support them with quality experiences to close gaps in children's learning. For instance, staff provide children with activities focused on letter names regardless of their age and stage of development. n Overall, the learning programme for children's physical development meets their needs. Staff encourage children to stir mixtures, pour and scoop. For instance, during snack times, children chop soft fruit with supportive staff. Children also enjoy yoga sessions, where they move their bodies in a range of different ways. This develops children's small and large muscles. n The setting receives early years pupil premium funding to support individual

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need to do better?

children's learning. Leaders use the funding to buy some sensory resources as part of providing a quiet area for children. n Staff provide nutritious food at snack time, such as chopped fruit, cheese and crackers. Children receive encouragement from staff to drink water. They also support parents and carers with healthy lunch ideas. Leaders and staff support children to develop healthy lifestyles. n Children develop the skills they need to use the toilet independently. They use a flannel to wash their faces after eating. Children learn to take off their shoes and hang their coats on their pegs. Overall, staff encourage children to develop their independence skills. n Parents comment that they have formed positive relationships with their children's key person. They receive information about what their children are learning at the setting. Key persons share ideas with parents about how to support their children at home. This supports parent partnerships.

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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

8 August 2025 ensure all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training to enable them to identify and respond when a child may be at risk of harm, and know the correct procedures to follow should they have safeguarding concerns 02/09/2025

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Due date

implement behaviour management strategies which support staff to be consistent in their approach, and help children to understand the expectations for their behaviour and supports their well-being. 02/09/2025

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Due date

devise an ambitious curriculum to ensure that it clearly identifies what it is that all children need to learn and takes into account their individual needs, interests and development 02/09/2025

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Due date

take action to ensure that staff provide high-quality interactions that consistently promote children's communication and language development. 02/09/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2643212 Local authority Southwark Inspection number 10402450 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 38 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Smartkiddies Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0203 375 94010 Date of previous inspection 20 March 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Smartkiddies Childcare registered in June 2021. It is situated in the London Borough of Southwark. The setting is open all year round, from 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. There are 11 members of staff employed at the setting. Of these, eight staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. Three members of staff hold relevant early years qualifications at level 6 and above. The setting provides government funded childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The leaders showed the inspector around the premises and discussed how they ensure that the premises are safe and suitable. n The leaders and inspector completed a learning walk together to discuss the intentions of the learning programme for children's learning. n The inspector conducted two joint observations of a group activity with the provider. n The inspector gathered comments from parents about their children's experiences at the setting. n The inspector interacted with children during the inspection. n The inspector interacted with staff at appropriate times during the inspection.

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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

8 August 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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