Stepping Stones Nursery

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Stepping Stones Nursery Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY309661 Inspection date 20/04/2009 Inspector Deborah Ball

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Setting address Methodist Church, Watling Street South, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 7BH Telephone number 07785 730 941 Email Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

Stepping Stones Nursery was registered in 2005. It operates from the Methodist Church Hall in Church Stretton, Shropshire. The nursery serves both local and surrounding areas. The setting is fully accessible to all children. An enclosed area is not available for outdoor play. The setting is open each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 09.00 until 11.30, including a lunch club facility from 11.30 until 12.30. Children are able to attend for a variety of sessions.

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Description of the setting

A maximum of 20 children may attend the setting at any one time. There are currently 14 children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The setting is in receipt of nursery education funding. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. The nursery supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and also supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the setting

There are four members of staff employed to work directly with the children. Of these, two hold Qualified Teacher status. The setting receives support from the local authority.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Practitioners work very effectively to ensure that children are recognised and valued as unique individuals and work in close partnership with parents and other agencies to support good care, learning and development for all children. This is further supported by the effective systems in place to accommodate all children and their families in a caring, fully inclusive and supportive environment. Policies and procedures are reflective of the good practice in the nursery and help to ensure children are safeguarded whilst they enjoy child-initiated opportunities within an exciting, stimulating and motivating environment. Processes for continuous improvement and ongoing evaluation are effective and focus on achievable improvements which benefit the children who attend.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the procedures for incorporating information from parents into their children's assessment records.

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provision

Children are cared for in an environment which is very well organised and supports them well in their development towards the early learning goals. Staff nurture This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children as unique individuals and encourage independence and self-esteem. Knowledgeable, skilful and enthusiastic practitioners work very hard to ensure that children enjoy interesting, motivating and exciting experiences in a safe and secure space. Strong and supportive partnerships with parents and others ensure that children’s individual care and learning needs are sensitively addressed in a caring and consistent manner. Parents are provided with good information about the setting through access to policies and procedures, newsletters and display boards. Staff make time at the beginning and end of the session to provide parents with opportunities to informally discuss their children’s progress, achievements and

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provision

recent experiences. However, the arrangements for incorporating parental information into children’s assessment records are at an early stage and not yet fully effective for all children.

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provision

Staff are supported very well by a strong management team, along with detailed procedures which are consistent and reflect good practice. Adults work well together as a team to promote children’s welfare, learning and development and a positive, happy atmosphere is prevalent throughout the nursery. The arrangements for safeguarding children are robust, regularly reviewed, carefully managed and clearly understood by those who work with children. Robust systems for recruiting and supporting staff are in place and training opportunities are frequent so that individuals can continue to develop their early years expertise. Effective systems for safeguarding work very well in practice. Detailed policies and procedures reflect Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and are reinforced by ongoing training, so that all staff have appropriate information about what to do if they have concerns about any children.

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provision

The procedures for self-evaluation are effective in identifying strengths and weaknesses and are used in conjunction with advice from local authority support to continue to maintain and improve strong outcomes for children. Current areas for improvement include the application for funding to enable the provision to secure perimeter fencing, thus enabling children to access outdoor physical play. Recommendations made at the last inspection have been robustly addressed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children make significant gains in their development and have very good levels of achievement in relation to their starting points, due to the effective organisation of the learning programmes and the care and learning environment. Children are valued as unique individuals and are fully supported by practitioners to enjoy experiences to their fullest extent. Self-esteem, confidence and independence are very well promoted through the routines for specific adult-led activities and child- initiated free play, which extend areas of development as appropriate. Staff have a clear understanding of the EYFS requirements and plan exciting, purposeful activities based upon children's interests and ideas. Systems for ongoing assessment work very well in highlighting children’s progress and informing future planning to help support and encourage development in all areas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Staff interaction with the children is lovely, with lots of praise and encouragement given for effort and achievement, which results in the children being secure and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 settled. Children relish opportunities to extend their learning and experience a wide range of activities in a supportive, caring and happy environment. They are enthusiastic during an indoor bug hunt and enjoy creating beautiful pictures of the creatures they found. The properties and textures of natural, manufactured and creative art materials are keenly explored by all children. For example, children explore, investigate and experiment with various textures and materials such as shaving foam, soil, cornflour, silk, ice cubes, clay, sand and dough. Further creative abilities are developed through musical activities, such as creating shakers using dried peas, rice and lentils, and comparing the sounds created. The provision

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of good quality role play equipment encourages children's imaginative play. Children are enthusiastic and motivated as they dress-up, acting out the roles of doctors, shop keepers and gardeners. Information Technology skills are being acquired by the children through using various programmable toys, such as a computer. Spontaneous and everyday activities are also used well to help the children develop good mathematical thinking, counting and problem-solving skills. Children extend their understanding of different cultures and beliefs in the wider world through themed activities, celebrating a range of world festivals, positive images of diversity and access to a wide range of resources. Staff fully support children to become aware of the community they live in and to take part in this wider community, for example, decorating a Christmas tree in the local church, maintaining effective links with local schools, visiting Acton Scott farm, using the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

local park for outdoor play and visits from local firemen and police officers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy healthy snacks and drinks and are enabled to enjoy packed lunches provided by parents in a social lunchtime, chatting with friends or being supported by staff to develop their independence skills. The children are able to access a drink of water whenever they wish as it is readily available within the room. Children have good opportunities to access indoor play within the routine of the day. Staff use this space well and have highlighted the outdoor space as an area that they can develop to fully meet children’s physical development and overall enjoyment. There is a strong emphasis on caring and sharing, with staff using a positive, consistent approach to managing behaviour. As they learn to cooperate, show concern and play together harmoniously, children are developing good personal qualities, such as kindness and helpfulness, in addition to the social skills that will help to support their future economic well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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