Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Telephone: 0300 123 1231 Fax: 0300 123 3159 Minicom: 0161 618 8524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school 75-77 Raymond Street Hanley STOKE-ON-TRENT ST1 4DP Our Reference EY439671

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Dear Stepping Stones Community Organisation Committee

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Monitoring for provision judged as inadequate

An Ofsted inspector, Kamaljit Kaur Jandu, monitored your provision on 09/06/2014 following your inspection where the provision was judged to be inadequate.

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Outcome of monitoring

As a result of our inspection on 20/01/2014, we sent you a welfare requirements notice. If you were set actions at the inspection, or as a result of our subsequent monitoring or investigations, these are included at the end of this letter unless we have already verified that they have been completed.

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Outcome of monitoring

The welfare requirements notice required you to: ensure supervision provides staff with effective support, coaching and training and fosters a culture of mutual support and continuous improvement, ensure there is a named deputy who has the skills and is capable to take charge in the manager's absence, ensure there are effective arrangements for meeting all children's individual needs, especially children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, when the key person is absent and ensure all staff consistently give clear explanations to children about the rules and boundaries set and help them understand why some behaviour is unacceptable and why, so that children behave appropriately and show respect for others.

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Outcome of monitoring

We also sent you a notice of action to improve which asked you to: ensure all staff receive induction training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities

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Outcome of monitoring

A monitoring visit took place on 9 June 2014. The provider has undertaken self- evaluation and has an action plan in place to improve the areas identified. A programme of supervision for staff in order to provide effective support, coaching and training has been implemented. Supervision sessions have been undertaken with staff and their strengths and any areas for development are identified. A training skills matrix is in place and training and workshops are booked. There is a named deputy who has developed her knowledge of the role. Supervision is undertaken with the deputy to ensure she is capable and competent. The manager ensures that any gaps in her knowledge are discussed with her to make sure she can manage effectively in her absence. Arrangements for meeting all children's individual needs, especially children with special educational needs and/or disabilities have been improved. The key person role is shared between three staff so that children are well

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Outcome of monitoring

supported when one person is absent. Links with the Local Authority are in place to support children with special needs or disability.

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Outcome of monitoring

Arrangements for managing the behaviour of children have been improved. A new reward system has been implemented, in conjunction with children and parents. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement and their achievements are celebrated. For example, when a child achieves 8 stars, they are given a prize, which they show great pride in. Staff implement this system consistently, giving clear explanations to children about the rules and boundaries set, and help them understand why some behaviour is unacceptable. During the visit, children were observed to be well supported by staff in chosen activities and no unwanted behaviours were observed.

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Outcome of monitoring

The manager has undertaken induction training and induction procedures are in place for new staff to help them understand their roles and responsibilities. New staff are supervised and given guidance in their role to help them work effectively.

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Outcome of monitoring

Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that the setting has taken prompt and effective action to address the points for improvement.

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Next steps

The next step will be a full inspection.

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Next steps

I hope that you have found the visit helpful in promoting improvement in your setting. If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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Next steps

Nick Hudson National Director, Early Education

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure all staff receive induction training to help them understand their roles and responsibilities 21/04/2014 09/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 21/04/2014 09/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 21/04/2014 09/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

WRN: ensure there is a named deputy who has the skills and is capable to take charge in the manager's absence 28/05/2014 09/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

WRN: ensure supervision provides staff with effective support, coaching and training and fosters a culture of mutual support and continuous improvement 28/05/2014 10/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

WRN: ensure there are effective arrangements for meeting all children's individual needs, especially children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, when the key person is absent 28/05/2014 09/06/2014

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Action Due date Closed date

WRN: ensure all staff consistently give clear explanations to children about the rules and boundaries set and help them understand why some behaviour is unacceptable and why, so that children behave appropriately and show respect for others 28/05/2014 09/06/2014

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