Smarties Pre School and Out of School Club

Ofsted rating for Smarties Pre School and Out of School Club

Last inspected 20 June 2024

Actions the provider must take

What it's like to attend

• On 9 January 2026, concerns were received that the provider was not meeting requirements relating to safeguarding policy and procedures.
• On 15 January 2026, a regulatory visit found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements, and a welfare requirements notice was served.
• Actions were needed by 12 February 2026, addressing staff understanding of safeguarding, designated safeguarding lead responsibilities, implementation of policies, and management of allegations.
• Other actions included ensuring staff awareness of whistleblowing procedures, immediate notification of safety concerns to the local authority, and staff support in implementing safeguarding policies.
• The provider’s registration was suspended on 16 January 2026 due to concerns that children may be at risk of harm.
• On 12 February 2026, the provider notified Ofsted of their wish to resign their registration, and the suspension was lifted to allow this.
• Smarties Pre School and Out of School Club is no longer a registered childcare provider.

• 1Ensure all staff understand how to take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well.
• 2Ensure that the designated safeguarding lead understands their roles and responsibilities and is alert to any issues of concern in children's life.
• 3Ensure all staff, including the designated safeguarding leads, understand how to implement safeguarding policies and procedures that are in line with the guidance and procedures of the local safeguarding partners.
• 4Ensure the committee has clear, effective procedures in place for managing and responding to allegations against staff or the setting, including timely referral to the appropriate agencies and notification to Ofsted, and that all committee members understand and follow these procedures.
• 5Ensure staff are aware of the setting's whistleblowing procedures and that all staff feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice and know that such concerns will be taken seriously by the senior leadership team.
• 6Ensure any concerns about children's safety or welfare are immediately notified to the local authority children's social care team, in line with local reporting procedures.
• 7Ensure that staff are supported and confident to implement the setting's safeguarding policy and procedures on an ongoing basis.
• 8Ensure the designated safeguarding lead provides support, advice and guidance to all staff on an ongoing basis.
• 9Ensure effective supervision is in place to support staff and promote the interests of children.
• 10Ensure supervision provides staff with regular opportunities to discuss any issues, particularly concerns relating to children’s development, well-being, and safeguarding, and that these discussions and agreed actions are clearly recorded.
• 11Ensure staffing arrangements, including staff-to-child ratios, consistently meet the needs of all children and ensure they are adequately supervised to keep them safe at all times.
• 12Ensure the premises, including indoor and outdoor spaces, are fit for purpose, suitable for the age range of children cared for, and appropriate for the activities provided.
• 13Ensure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised at any time.
• 14Ensure records are effectively maintained, and relevant information obtained and shared (with parents and carers, other professionals working with the child, the police, social services and Ofsted as appropriate) to be able to meet the needs of all children.
• 15Ensure all records are easily accessible when needed, held securely, and that confidential information about children and staff is only accessible to those with a professional need, in line with data protection requirements.