Wise Owl Private Day Nursery Scunthorpe

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Children are not fully protected in the nursery because the provider is not vigilant to ensure that any hazards that pose a risk to their safety are minimised or removed.

In addition, the nursery is not kept clean and hygienic to promote children's physical health and minimise the spread of infection. Nevertheless, children are welcomed into the setting by friendly, smiling staff. Children are learning to share, take turns and build relationships with their peers.

Toddlers and pre-school children have access to the nursery garden every day, where they develop their physical skills. They begin to understand self-c...are when they discuss with staff what clothes they might need for the cold, wet weather. Children are learning rules and boundaries.

They receive consistent and age-appropriate guidance from staff to help them manage their own behaviour and to begin to understand the impact their actions have on others.Children in the baby room who are settled, are confident and sociable. They demonstrate secure bonds with staff and are keen to engage visitors in play.

For example, they show visitors how they brush their teeth. Young children occupy themselves playing with bead mazes. They slide beads of different sizes, shapes and colours along wire tracks.

This activity helps children to improve hand-eye coordination and develop the small muscles they need for their future learning.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

The provider has taken steps to make sure that meals are suitably prepared for children. The new nursery cook provides meals that are healthy, balanced and nutritious.

However, the provider does not implement effective cleaning routines to make sure that all the areas that staff and children use are kept clean and hygienic. This includes food preparation areas. This compromises children's physical health and well-being.

The provider has developed a programme of support and training for staff to improve staff morale, teamwork and for them to share any concerns they might have. However, staff do not always have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities throughout the day. For example, when it is time for children in the pre-school room to go outside, staff do not know which area of the room they should be in, or which tasks to complete.

This also causes children to be unsure about what they should be doing. The room quickly becomes chaotic.The provider does not ensure that staffing arrangements are effective.

On the day of the inspection, there were more staff than required with toddlers and pre-school children, and one member of staff on their own with three babies. This meant that babies did not benefit from good-quality interactions with staff. In addition, the key person for the youngest children was absent.

Children who were new to the baby room did not have enough support to help them settle quickly and develop their confidence to explore. They sat for long periods with their comforters and did not benefit from positive play and learning experiences.The management team has clear aims for learning for children in all rooms.

Next steps are displayed for each child, so staff know what children are working towards. Boards around the room give staff ideas of how to extend learning through activities, such as in sand and water play. However, the curriculum is not implemented well.

This means that children do not enjoy high-quality experiences in all areas of learning to help them make the best possible progress.Despite the weaknesses, children who are established in the setting are confident to make choices about their play. Staff support babies to develop their communication and language skills through familiar songs and rhymes.

Older children engage in discussions. For example, they talk about dinosaurs. Staff test children's knowledge when they ask if they know the different kinds of dinosaurs there are.

Staff introduce early mathematics into children's play. They support children with number recognition and help them to make links in their learning. For example, children think about what number is on their house.

They look at more complex shapes, such as diamonds. Children use tongs to pick up small objects. This supports the development of muscles they need for early writing.

Parents are positive about the care their children receive. Staff share information about children's progress during the daily handover. Parents can access an electronic system where key staff share information about children's care routines, activities and next steps.

This means that parents can continue children's learning at home. Staff complete the required progress check at age two years, which helps to ensure that any gaps in children's development are identified. They work with other agencies to help children who need additional support with their learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first. The provider does not implement effective risk assessments.

Discarded rubbish, such as plastic sweet wrappers and staples from display boards are left within the reach of toddlers. Children in the baby room have access to trailing wires which present risk of strangulation. Discarded items are left on the floor in the baby changing area.

These create a trip hazard. However, despite weaknesses in safeguarding, staff have a suitable understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child or an adult. The manager works closely with parents and other agencies to protect children who might be at risk from harm.

What does the setting need to do to improve?

The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take enforcement action.

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to: Due date complete effective risk assessments and take prompt action to ensure any hazards to children or staff are removed or minimised 22/03/2024 implement effective cleaning routines to make sure all the areas that staff and children use are kept clean and hygienic 22/03/2024 ensure staffing arrangements are effective and staff have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities throughout the day to prevent rooms becoming chaotic 22/03/2024 ensure children are supported by a key person who is able to tailor care and learning to their individual needs, particularly when their key person is absent from the setting.22/03/2024 To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, the provider must: Due date ensure staff understand and implement a well-planned curriculum for children of all ages, so that children enjoy high-quality experiences and interactions in all areas of learning.

07/06/2024