Oak and Wren Day Nursery

Inspection of Oak and Wren Day Nursery 155 Baring Road, London SE12 0LA

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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 breaches in the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the early years foundation stage have a significant impact on the learning, safety and well-being of children. For example, staff do not show an adequate knowledge of safeguarding issues, including how to escalate concerns to the relevant agencies. They are unclear on the appropriate actions to take if allegations are made against staff at the nursery. During children's play, staff fail to identify and remove risks, resulting in children tripping over toys. This compromises children's safety.

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The provision is inadequate

Additionally, the management team does not ensure that all staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality provision. Consequently, the curriculum is weak. Staff's interactions with children are mainly supervisory, and when they teach, this is ineffective. They also struggle to manage children's behaviour appropriately. Children do not always understand what is expected of them. This, in turn, hinders children's learning and development.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite these weaknesses, staff promote children's independence skills. They encourage children to put on their coats and shoes for outdoor play. Staff build trusting relationships with parents and carers and provide relevant information about their children's learning. Parents find that staff are warm and approachable.

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need to do better?

n Staff are not familiar with the nursery's safeguarding policies and procedures. They have a limited understanding of how to recognise and raise concerns regarding a child's welfare, including the risk of exposure to radical or extremist views. Staff are also uncertain about the appropriate actions to take if there are allegations against their colleagues. Furthermore, they do not take all necessary precautions to minimise or eliminate risks during children's play, particularly in the baby room. These weaknesses compromise children's safety. n Staff, including trainees, receive inadequate coaching, training and supervision sessions. This does not help them to have a clear understanding of their roles in teaching children. For example, staff's interactions with children are basic, and they use words such as 'horsey' during play. This means children do not hear the correct pronunciation of words, which hampers their vocabulary and language

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need to do better?

development. n Behaviour management is poor. Staff lack the knowledge needed to manage children's behaviour appropriately. They struggle when children become restless and bored. This results in undesirable behaviours in children, including running and shouting indoors. In these situations, staff do not use positive reinforcement or clearly explain what they expect from children. This limits children's ability to behave well.

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need to do better?

23 September 2025 n Staff have a limited understanding of how to use observation and assessment to inform their planning for children's learning. When staff do identify areas where children need to develop, their actions lack urgency and precision. Children, including those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, do not make adequate progress from their starting points in development. n The curriculum lacks focus and imagination. Staff do not set high expectations for children's learning. For instance, during a group activity, staff's instructions are overly prescriptive. They restrict children's opportunities to develop their language skills and express their thoughts and ideas. In another example, staff do not build on children's interests in activities, such as sand play. Additionally, the outdoor curriculum is limited to older children simply running and chasing each other. Younger children crawl or walk aimlessly. Children lack access to a

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need to do better?

sufficient range of activities that equip them with the skills necessary for their future education and life. This does not motivate children to learn and play. n The management team conducts appropriate vetting and recruitment procedures to assess staff's suitability. However, it does not accurately evaluate practice to identify weaknesses, such as staff's teaching skills with children. Designated safeguarding leads have completed the necessary training. They inform Ofsted about significant events within the required timeframe. n Staff follow regular hygiene practices, such as handwashing. This helps to prevent the spread of germs and infectious illnesses among children. Children, such as the older ones, demonstrate some confidence in performing certain care skills. This includes children feeding themselves or pouring their drinks at mealtimes.

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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 are informed about safeguarding issues, such as the 'Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales', and understand the procedures for reporting them, including in cases of allegations 17/11/2025

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Due date

23 September 2025 improve risk assessment, particularly in the baby room, to ensure that the floor space does not become cluttered with toys, to minimise accidents to children 17/11/2025

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Due date

implement effective procedures for supervision sessions, coaching and mentoring to raise the quality of staff's practice to a good standard 17/11/2025

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Due date

develop and use effective strategies to manage children's behaviour in a positive way that helps children to understand what is expected of them 17/11/2025

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Due date

improve the observation and assessment of children's learning so that staff accurately identify any gaps in their learning and act on them as quickly as possible 17/11/2025

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Due date

plan and implement a broad and ambitious curriculum that builds on children's existing skills and knowledge. 17/11/2025

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2791230 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10412537 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 59 Number of children on roll 23 Name of registered person SAI Children Centre Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07985219101 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Oak and Wren Day Nursery registered in 2024 and it is located in the London Borough of Lewisham. The nursery is open all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. There are nine staff members who work directly with children. The manager and three other staff hold early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides government funded childcare for all eligible children.

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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 deputy manager and inspector conducted a learning walk together through all areas of the nursery, discussing the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke with staff and engaged with children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views on the quality of the provision. n The inspector spoke with the management team to discuss leadership and management matters. n The inspector observed the quality of education, inside and outside, and the impact on children's learning. n The inspector looked at the relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

23 September 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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