First Step Nursery Day Care

First Step Nursery Day Care Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422898 Inspection date 27/09/2011 Inspector Liz Caluori

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Setting address 52 Deptford, Broadway, Deptford, London, SE8 4PH

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Telephone number 0208 3168700 Email sulonmg@googlemail.com Type of setting Childcare on non-domestic premises to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as

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you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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).

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the setting

First Step Nursery and Daycare has been registered since 2011. It operates from a three storey premises in Deptford close to the Deptford Bridge Station. Children are cared for across the ground and first floor and are split into three groups according to age. There is also a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The nursery is registered on the Early Years Register and may care for a maximum of 68 children in the early years age group of whom no more than 15 may be under two years. There are currently 50 children on roll of whom 23 are under two years. The nursery opens from 7.30am to 6.15pm Monday to Friday all year round. The nursery is able to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities as well as those who speak English as an additional language. There are 14 staff employed to work with the children along with two students and three support staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Description of the setting

The nursery has applied receive to funding for free early education.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the child-centred, safe and inclusive environment. The overall organisation of the nursery is efficient despite some very minor inconsistencies in systems for monitoring children's progress and the implementation of some activities. The dynamic, caring staff team support children to make good progress in all areas of their development. Effective self-evaluation supports the management and staff team to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and to prioritise areas for improvement. Children benefit from the positive relationships maintained with their partnership with parents, carers and appropriate arrangements are also in place to work with other professionals in order to ensure consistent, coordinated care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for assessing and monitoring children's progress to more easily identify any gaps in the achievements of individual children or in any specific group  increase the support and encouragement for the pre-school children to express themselves artistically and to value their own ideas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

At inspection the nursery was found to be caring for more children than their conditions of registration allow. The provider gave a reasonable excuse for doing so and on this occasion Ofsted does not intend to take further action. On the day of the inspection Ofsted agreed to a variation to the registration conditions and therefore this issue has now been remedied.

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the early years provision

Children are protected by effective safety arrangements. Robust recruitment procedures ensure that they are cared for by suitably qualified and vetted staff. Risk assessments are undertaken to identify potential hazards and daily health and safety checks are completed. Written policies outline the process to be followed in case of any child protection concerns or any allegations against staff. The careful organisation of the environment and the relaxed but vigilant supervision by staff ensures that children are able to play safely whilst experiencing a good level of independence.

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the early years provision

A strong commitment to self-evaluation enables the nursery to identify the strengths and weakness of the provision and to prioritise improvements. The manager and staff team work effectively to create a harmonious, well organised environment for the children. Staff skilfully undertake sensitive observations in order to identify each child's next steps. However, there is currently no system in place to support them to easily monitor the rate at which children are progressing to ensure that they are offering a consistent level of challenge across all areas of development and to identify any gaps. This is largely compensated for by the high quality of adult input and the impressive range of activities on offer.

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the early years provision

Children play and learn in a bright, welcoming environment. They are provided with a good range of resources which are well maintained, attractively presented and stored at a low level for them to select independently. Children cared for on the ground floor are able to flow freely into the well equipped outdoor play area for much of the day. The pre-school children, cared for on the first floor, also have regular opportunities to play outside each day.

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the early years provision

Strong focus is placed on identifying and respecting children's individual personalities. Appropriate arrangements are in place to support those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. A good range of strategies are also used to work with children and families for whom English is an additional language. Dual language books are available and staff use basic sign language as well as learning some key words in the child's home language. Resources and activities are provided to encourage children to develop an understanding and respect for diversity.

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the early years provision

Parents and carers receive a very friendly greeting as they arrive to deliver and collect their children. They are well informed about the day to day life of the nursery through a range of notices and written policies. Contact books are also provided to enable information to be easily shared between the nursery and the child's home. Parents and carers are actively encouraged to become involved in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the setting of future goals for their child alongside the key person. The manager is aware of the benefits to working in partnership with other childcare providers involved in delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children in her care but has not yet been required to do so.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the nursery and make good progress in all areas. Much of the day is used for freely chosen, child initiated play and staff skilfully support and extend children's learning and development. There is also an appropriate amount of routine and adult led activities. The outdoor area is invitingly presented and designed to offer a good level of challenge for different ages and abilities. This enables all children to develop their physical skills whilst benefitting from the fresh air. They also enjoy creative activities such as role play, singing and producing art work. While most children enjoy regular opportunities to create individual and expressive paintings and drawings, there are times when children in the pre-school room receive too much support and adult direction. As a result they are not always sufficiently encouraged to create art work from their own imagination.

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and outcomes for children

Babies' care needs are well met and they enjoy the cuddles and warm smiles they receive from familiar adults. Older children chat happily with their friends and with the staff. They have constant access to mark making equipment to promote their writing and pre-writing skills. Good support is also offered for children to gain an understanding of number and mathematical concepts and to develop problem solving and reasoning skills. They learn to count, to recognise written numerals and enjoy exploring a broad variety of construction material. Activities such as looking at the seasons and visiting the local fire station help to extend children's knowledge and understanding of the world and to learn about their local community.

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and outcomes for children

Children are polite, friendly and are well supported to develop good social skills and manners. They are confident to make choices and decisions in a secure, nurturing environment. This supports them to develop independence in their learning and help to prepare them for the challenges of the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate their sense of security through their easy, comfortable interaction with staff and their clear understanding of the boundaries and routines in place. They also benefit from activities aimed at giving them the skills to keep themselves safe such as how to cross the road and why it is important not to talk to strangers.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene and healthy living. They enjoy nutritious snacks and meals, all prepared on the premises and planned to reflect their individual dietary requirements. Drinks are also constantly available. Hygiene standards within the nursery are extremely high and children routinely wash their hands after using the toilet and before sitting down to eat. They are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 also developing good self-care and toileting skills. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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