Happy Days Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

There are breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements, which have an impact on staff's understanding of the local safeguarding partnership procedures and guidance. This includes failing to follow the correct procedures in relation to allegations against staff. Ofsted have taken enforcement action in relation to these breaches.

However, the quality of education is good. Staff consistently promote children's speech and language development. They complete regular assessments of children's learning and use this information to plan a challenging curriculum.

Children build secure foundations for future learni...ng and are prepared to start school. The manager invites teachers into the setting to help support children's emotional well-being when they move on and promote continuity.Children show enjoyment during activities inside and outside.

They are keen and enthusiastic to attend the nursery and have good relationships with staff. For example, babies move closer to their key person when new people are in the room. They show they feel safe and secure with them.

Staff are good role models for children and promote positive behaviour. Children show pride in their achievements and are keen to talk about their learning with visitors. Partnership working is effective.

Since the pandemic, parents drop off and collect their children at the door. However, they state the communication is very good and they appreciate the detailed updates about their children's day and their ongoing development.

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

The setting has not ensured that those with designated safeguarding lead responsibilities have maintained their safeguarding training.

Furthermore, they have not ensured that the safeguarding policy is up to date. This has had an impact on staff's understanding of the local safeguarding partnership guidance. For instance, the setting has failed to follow the correct procedures when an allegation has been made against a member of staff.

Furthermore, Ofsted have not been notified of a significant event which is likely to affect the suitability of any person who cares for/is in regular contact with children on the premises. Although these concerns were addressed on inspection, there has been enforcement action raised in relation to these weaknesses to ensure that any further risks are swiftly identified and addressed.Although the management team complete regular ongoing suitability checks for staff, there are gaps in the setting's safer recruitment procedures.

This is specifically in relation to staff who have left the setting and have returned after a period of time. For instance, there are gaps in information about staff's employment and references from their most recent employer are not obtained.Staff promote children's communication and language development well.

This is a strength of the curriculum. For instance, babies use musical instruments and props from the song basket as staff sing nursery rhymes to them. Toddlers enjoy looking at stories outside and stay focused for extended lengths of time.

Staff encourage them to have discussions about things they can see and model new words to them, and have conversations about their own experiences.Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is good. This includes support for children's individual care and learning needs.

Staff use assessments to identify any areas of potential delay swiftly and follow advice from other professionals, such as speech and language therapists. For example, they use strategies, such as sing and sign, to help children close gaps in their learning. Children thoroughly enjoy this session and copy the words and actions as they dance with staff.

Extra funding is used effectively to support some children on a one-to-one basis.Staff provide flexible settling-in visits for children and gather detailed information from families to help them get to know children. For example, they find out about babies' individual routines and ask parents if they have any concerns about their development.

Staff meet children's care needs effectively and are aware of any allergies or medical care needs.Children enjoy learning about their local community and staff take them on trips out of the setting regularly. Children's good health is promoted as they have access to outdoor play each day and staff ensure they have plenty to drink.

Staff help children to develop good physical skills. Toddlers show enjoyment as they practise throwing and catching the ball. Older children develop their understanding of the world as they plant 'beanstalks' after reading a favourite fairytale.

Staff carry out positive work to help children to develop good personal, social and emotional skills, such as offering children specific praise to help them understand what they have done well. In addition, young children share bubbles without support and enthusiastically help others to use the bubble pot. Older children make choices and staff encourage them to choose activities as a group, using cubes to represent their choice.

However, the overall personal development judgement is inadequate. This is due to the impact of the failings of safeguarding practices and procedures.Staff say they feel valued at the nursery and are supported by the management team.

They have access to a training platform to develop their skills and benefit from regular peer observations which feed into their supervision meetings. The manager promotes staff's emotional well-being and the majority of staff have been at the nursery for a number of years.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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

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 ensure staff with lead safeguarding responsibilities attend appropriate training to help them liaise with other relevant professionals and effectively take the lead responsibility for safeguarding children 21/06/2024 review and update the nursery's safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with the guidance of the local safeguarding partnership 21/06/2024 ensure the correct safeguarding procedures are followed, specifically when there has been an allegation made against a member of staff 21/06/2024 improve and implement safer recruitment procedures, specifically for staff who return to the setting, to ensure people looking after children are suitable.

21/06/2024