“A setting where ‘safeguarding standards not met’ has left children ‘at significant risk of harm’ has been flagged for urgent improvement by Ofsted inspectors.”
Kingwood Children @ Muddifords Court, in Willand near Cullompton, Devon, has been criticised across multiple areas following an inspection on Wednesday, January 15.
The childcare provider, which is registered for 126 places and cares for children aged from 0 to 11, was found to be falling short of legal safeguarding requirements, prompting enforcement action.
Inspectors reported serious concerns about leadership and safeguarding, stating: “Leaders have not ensured that there is an open and positive culture around safeguarding. This puts children at significant risk of harm.” They added that leaders “do not manage safeguarding concerns in relation to allegations adequately” and “do not have sufficient knowledge and understanding about what an allegation is.”
The report highlighted failures to follow safeguarding procedures, noting: “Leaders fail to discuss all allegations with the local authority designated officer. This means they do not work effectively with other agencies or take appropriate action in line with local safeguarding procedures to ensure children’s safety and welfare.”
Ofsted judged several key areas, including achievement, behaviour, welfare, curriculum and inclusion, as “needs attention”, while leadership and safeguarding were deemed to require “urgent improvement”.
In terms of children’s learning and development, inspectors found that “children are not all sufficiently prepared for their next stage of learning” and that “some children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, do not make sufficient progress from their starting points.”
The quality of teaching was described as inconsistent, with inspectors noting: “The curriculum is not well designed to ensure all children are engaged and motivated to learn. At times, staff interaction with pre-school-age children is limited… Pre-school-age children become bored and wander off.”
Concerns were also raised about children’s wellbeing and attachments. The report states: “Some staff have insufficient knowledge about the children they are caring for. This negatively impacts on children’s attachments… Children are sometimes unsettled on arrival and do not show that they feel secure.”
Despite these issues, inspectors did identify some positive aspects of the setting. Babies were observed making progress in communication skills, with the report noting: “They watch staff in awe as they sing songs to them. Babies clap along and begin to formulate some words.”
Older children were also seen benefiting from outdoor activities, with inspectors stating: “Children develop a love of the outdoors and learn about respect, nurture and nature. They take part in unique activities, such as building campfires… Children feel a sense of achievement when they help to care for the animals.”
However, these strengths were overshadowed by systemic weaknesses in leadership and oversight. Ofsted found that “leaders do not ensure all children, including those with SEND, are monitored and receive targeted support so they can make the best possible progress” and that “leaders do not deliver sufficient training to all staff to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to offer all children high-quality teaching and learning.”
The report also pointed to dissatisfaction among some parents, stating: “Some parents state that they do not feel heard or that their concerns are fully acknowledged, investigated or taken seriously.”
Inspectors concluded that the provider is not meeting the requirements of the early years foundation stage or the Childcare Register, adding: “Ofsted intends to take enforcement action.”
A welfare requirements notice has been issued, requiring improvements in safeguarding knowledge, complaint record-keeping, support for children with SEND, and staff training by set deadlines in late January and February, with further curriculum improvements required by March.
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