Pioneers Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Children's health and safety is compromised at this nursery. Faults with the heating system have not been dealt with in a timely way.

This results in children's playrooms being too cold. The provider has failed to take prompt action to ensure mould in the children's bathroom is treated. Recruitment procedures are not robust.

For example, providers have failed to ensure that all staff, including students on placements, are suitably checked through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This does not ensure children are safeguarded. Hygiene practices within the nursery are poor.

Nappy changing procedure...s do not ensure children are protected from the risks of cross infection. Staff do not provide children with a curriculum based on their individual learning needs. They do not have a good understanding of what children need to learn next.

Staff interactions are limited. They simply watch children as they play. Occasionally they say, 'wow' to what children have made or are doing.

However, the lack of planned purposeful learning experiences impacts negatively on the progress all children make. That said, staff are polite and caring towards children. As a result, children behave extremely well.

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

The provider has insufficient knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. They have failed to notify Ofsted of changes they are legally obliged to. This includes changes to the nursery's opening hours and to the nominated individual.

The provider does not ensure the premises remain safe and suitable for children. Faults with the heating have not been rectified promptly. This results in areas where children are cared for being too cold.

In addition to this, mould in children's bathrooms has not been treated. This impacts on children's health and safety.The provider fails to ensure children are safe from risk and harm.

Staff do not receive the required training to identify and raise safeguarding concerns. There is no named designated safeguarding lead (DSL) to ensure any concerns are dealt with swiftly. Staff do not know how to follow the procedures in their safeguarding policy.

As a result, staff have yet to acquire the knowledge they need to keep children safe.The provider does not ensure the required checks are complete to establish staff's suitability to work with children. DBS checks have not been obtained for all adults working with children.

This means that children's safety is compromised.Children's safety is not assured at this nursery. Staff are not confident with the steps they would take to evacuate children from the premises in the event of an emergency.

In addition to this, staff incorrectly count the number of children in attendance. This puts children at risk of being left behind in the event of an emergency evacuation.Children's good health is not promoted effectively.

Staff change children's nappies on nappy mats that are dirty. Furthermore, staff wear the same pair of gloves when changing several children's nappies and do not wash their hands in between. This means that children are at risk of cross infection.

In addition to this, staff do not ensure children have access to fresh drinking water. This negatively impacts on children's overall good health.The deputy has recently taken the role of acting manager and the provider has not identified another member of staff to deputise.

This means there is no named deputy to take charge in the acting manager's absence.The key-person system is ineffective. Staff are not sure if they are the key person for children.

Parents explain they do not know who their children's key persons are. In addition to this, when staff notice children struggling to manage their emotions, parents are called to take them home. The lack of a key person does not ensure children's care is tailored to their individual needs.

Leaders do not ensure staff are deployed well enough, so that children are effectively supervised at all times. Staff do not always notice when children leave the room unaccompanied to go to the toilet. This does not ensure their safety.

The provider does not ensure the staff have the knowledge and skills to carry out their roles effectively. Staff do not benefit from ongoing supervision, coaching and training to provide them with the support they need.The provider does not implement a curriculum that meets the learning needs of children at this nursery.

Staff focus their attention on setting out activities. However, they do not think about what children need to learn and develop next. In addition, the required progress check at age two is not completed.

This means that staff are unable to identity and act upon any gaps in children's learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interest 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 make sure that the premises are maintained in a safe and suitable condition and at a suitable temperature at all times when children are present 10/02/2025 ensure there is a named DSL to take the lead responsibility for safeguarding children 10/02/2025 ensure that all staff receive safeguarding training so that they can understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect 10/02/2025 implement effective recruitment procedures to ensure that staff are checked for their suitability to work with children, including obtaining a DBS check 10/02/2025 ensure an emergency evacuation procedure is embedded and understood by all staff 10/02/2025 ensure hygiene procedures during nappy changing promote children's good health 10/02/2025 ensure children have access to fresh drinking water at all times 10/02/2025 ensure there is a named deputy who is competent and suitably qualified to take charge in the absence of the manager 10/02/2025 implement an effective key-person system to ensure children are provided with care tailored to meet their individual needs 10/02/2025 ensure staff are deployed effectively to meet children's needs 10/02/2025 provide support coaching and training for all staff to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge skills and understanding to fulfil their roles and responsibilities.10/02/2025 To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage, the provider must: Due date plan and implement an ambitious curriculum that provides children with learning experiences based on what they need to learn next 28/02/2025 ensure the required progress check for children between the ages of two and three years is completed, to help identify any gaps in learning.

28/02/2025