Hassocks Happy Feet

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and well-being are compromised at this nursery. Staff do not always monitor children effectively at mealtimes. In addition, staff responsible for preparing and handling food have not received training in food hygiene.

This does not ensure children's safety, particularly with regard to choking hazards.The new manager and staff are working together to implement a new curriculum. Improvements have been made to the way staff promote children's communication and language skills.

Staff know the children well and understand what it is they want children to learn. They build on children's interests and ...introduce new ideas to their play. For example, during imaginative play, staff encourage children to think about different ways to travel to the Arctic.

This extends their thinking and ideas.Despite the weaknesses, children receive a warm and friendly welcome from staff. Babies that are new to the nursery, receive lots of cuddles and reassurance.

Older children seek out staff to read stories. This helps them to settle quickly. Children are confident to select different activities to play with.

They happily ask their friends to join in their play. Children behave well. They have a good understanding of staff's expectations.

For example, they know that they have to stop and listen when staff ring the bell.

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

Breaches to the safeguarding requirements compromise children's safety and welfare. Staff do not supervise babies effectively at mealtimes.

For example, staff leave babies unsupervised while they respond to other children. In addition, staff give babies food that is not appropriately cut up. This puts them at risk of choking incidents.

This compromises children's health, well-being, and safety.Staff have not received required training, such as in food hygiene. The nursery's policies and procedures are not up to date and do not follow safer food guidelines.

Staff lack understanding of food safety standards and there is not a robust system in place to meet them. This does not assure children's safety.Children's health and hygiene is not promoted at all times.

Some staff help children to learn about healthy foods and oral health. However, they are not consistent in teaching good hygiene practices, such as during mealtimes and when wiping noses. This does not prevent cross-contamination or promote children's good health.

Since the last inspection, the new manager has introduced supervisions of staff. She places a high priority on their well-being. Staff say they feel well supported.

However, the manager, does not monitor staff's practice closely enough to identify all weaknesses in practice. This means that staff do not consistently receive the support they need to develop their skills and knowledge.Children are developing their communication and language skills.

Staff plan a range of activities to extend and develop children's vocabulary. For instance, children of all ages sit together and play familiar games, such as 'What's in the box'? Staff sing with children throughout the day. They delight in singing along and put familiar actions to the words.

Children enjoy stories and listen with increasing attention.Staff support children to develop good physical skills. They encourage babies to pull themselves up onto low-level furniture and help them to walk.

Toddlers learn to move their bodies in different ways as they engage in dancing activities. Older children challenge their balancing skills as they walk along planks of wood in the garden.Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported in their learning.

The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is passionate about her role. She has undertaken appropriate training. The SENCo works with other professionals to seek additional support for children when necessary.

As a result, children with SEND make good progress.Parents speak highly about the kind and caring staff. They know who their child's key person is.

Parents receive some updates on their children's learning and development. However, some parents are not familiar with their children's next steps in learning, to help them support their child's continued learning at home.

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?

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and Childcare Register the provider must: Due date ensure staff are deployed effectively, particularly at mealtimes, to minimise risks and hazards to children's health and well-being and keep them safe 30/01/2024 ensure that all staff preparing and handling food are competent to do so and comply with food safety regulations to minimise risks to children 30/01/2024 ensure that hygiene procedures promote the good health of every child 30/01/2024 provide training, coaching and support to enable staff to develop their practice.30/01/2024 To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should: nexpand on information shared with parents to support them in extending children's learning at home.