Canopy Children's Nursery in Wembley has been told it requires urgent improvements to its safeguarding measures after an Ofsted inspection found children are not adequately protected from harm.
Inspection findings
Following an inspection in April, the education watchdog reported that children attending the nursery on Walters Walk in Wembley Park "do not experience a consistently purposeful or safe environment". The nursery provides daytime childcare to 76 children aged between zero and four.
The leadership team was criticised for failing to ensure there is "an open and positive culture" around safeguarding that "adequately protects children from harm". While staff were described as "keen to get things right and support children well", inspectors found they remain unfamiliar with safeguarding and whistleblowing procedures.
Behaviour and routines
Ineffective routines and low expectations for children's behaviour were said to "adversely impact" their ability to retain positive attitudes and develop respect for one another. Staff are not equipped with the skills needed to tackle unwanted behaviour or reinforce rules, meaning children fail to manage their impulses.
When young children chase each other indoors, inspectors noted that staff "do not effectively address this" to teach expected behaviour. When initial attempts are unsuccessful, they "do not persist with supporting children to learn how to behave in line with their expectations". Babies were also said to "become unsettled" as they spend too long waiting for staff to manage simple routines, such as preparing sleep and lunchtimes.
Leadership and support
Inspectors criticised the leadership team for failing to ensure staff "remain vigilant to children in the environment" and for not gathering sufficient information about vulnerable children when they first begin nursery. Staff were also unaware of important information needed to support children's individual needs, and updated information about changing needs was not shared, meaning children with special educational needs may not receive the required level of support.
The report added: "Leaders have failed to ensure the requirements of the early years foundation stage are met. They continue to not meet requirements relating to children's safety, wellbeing and learning. Weaknesses in monitoring mean leaders do not have rigorous oversight of the provision."
Positive aspects and response
Despite the criticisms, inspectors noted that children enjoy freshly prepared meals and snacks, and the outdoor area is used to help them "develop their physical skills, expend their energy and learn to keep healthy". Staff share "warm, positive relationships" with children, and parents report that their children "enjoy attending and appreciate staff".
Canopy Children's Nursery told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the welfare and safety of children "is, and always will be, our highest priority". The provider said it immediately began implementing a comprehensive plan of action, including enhanced safeguarding training, improved staff supervision, and strengthened risk assessment processes.
The nursery added that every action identified within the Welfare Requirements Notice has now been completed and signed off, following a subsequent visit from Ofsted's Regulatory Inspector. The operator also closed the nursery for a week to allow staff to participate in intensive training and development.
A spokesperson for the nursery said: "Whilst we fully accept the concerns identified during the inspection in April, it is important to recognise that significant progress has been made since that time. The nursery today reflects the extensive work undertaken by our team over recent months, and these improvements have been independently verified through Ofsted's regulatory process."
