Footprints Day Care

Footprints Footprints Day Nursery, Britannia Lane, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3JD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 April 2015 10 November 2009

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The management do not sufficiently monitor the quality of practice to ensure that staff plan appropriate activities, and follow required policies and procedures.  Staff do not always organise appropriate activities for children. This results in some children becoming disinterested, restless and less motivated to learn.  The management do not ensure that all fire exits are kept clear at all times. There was an obstruction found on the lower staircase of the fire exit from the baby unit. This is also a breach of the Childcare Register requirements.  The key-person system is not always fully embedded into the younger children's daily routines.  Staff do not always ensure that children are fully supported to develop their independence.

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It has the following strengths

 Children and babies play in a welcoming and friendly environment, where they are able access resources and explore freely.  Staff provide the children with healthy, balanced and nutritious food at snack and mealtimes, to support them to learn about healthy lifestyles.  Staff have positive relationships with parents, helping to meet children's individual needs and promote continuity of care and learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 ensure the premises fully comply with fire safety requirements to minimise any risks to children and staff using the fire exits  ensure staff consistently provide the children with age appropriate activities, which meet their needs, and engage and motivate them to learn  ensure all staff follow nursery practices, for example when changing nappies to minimise the risk of cross contamination.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen the key-person system to help ensure daily routines meet the children's individual needs, especially when changing nappies  improve the opportunities older children have to develop their independence, such as when using the toilet and accessing their coats.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 take all necessary measures to minimise any risks to children and staff using the fire exits (compulsory part of the Childcare Register).  take all necessary measures to minimise any risks to children and staff using the fire exits (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked to the manager about the nursery, and how she is driving forward improvement and discussed her action plan.  The inspector observed staff playing with the children and spoke to them at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke to staff about their understanding of child protection procedures and sampled some policies, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of the view of parents spoken to on the day.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Staff carry out accurate observations and assessments on the children. However, staff do not fully consider children's ages and abilities when planning activities. Therefore, at times, children become distracted as staff do not fully extend their learning. Most staff interact positively with the children. They make good use of sign language and repetition to support children's communication and language development. Staff encourage children to 'have a go', praising their achievements as they try balancing on wooden planks. They remind them how to use the equipment safely. Consequently, children are becoming more confident the more they practise. Children wishing to go outside to play are not always able to access their own coats. This lessens their ability to be fully independent.

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requires improvement

Staff gather useful information from parents, during initial visits, as part of the effective settling in procedures. This helps staff plan to meet children's individual needs. However, key persons are not routinely changing their key child's nappy. As a result, babies and toddlers are not always able to form strong bonds to their key person, during these times. The staff offer children daily opportunities to explore and investigate in the outdoor environment. Children particularly enjoyed using the slide, taking turns with friends. As a result, children are becoming confident and learning to manage their own behaviour. There are discussions with the local school to help ensure that children are ready for their move on to school.

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provision requires improvement

Overall, the manager understands their responsibilities to safeguard children and follow effective child protection procedures. However, she does not check that fire exits are free from obstructions and that staff follow the nursery policies and procedures. Consequently, staff do not always maintain the safety and well-being of children. The manager has supervision meetings with staff and encourages them to do training and update their qualifications. However, she does not sufficiently monitor their practice to ensure they keep children safe and extend their learning. The manager monitors children's progress and obtains support for specific children through partnership working with other professionals. The manager is keen to provide an ever-evolving service. She values the views and opinions of everyone connected to the nursery, to improve outcomes for children.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY305659 Local authority Kent Inspection number 987838 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 54 Number of children on roll 99 Name of provider Ashford Play Centre Ltd. Date of previous inspection 10 November 2009 Telephone number 01233 652645

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Setting details

Footprints registered in 2005 and is owned and managed by Ashford Play Centre Ltd. The nursery is located in Kingsnorth, near Ashford, Kent. The baby and toddler units are on the first floor, which is accessed via a staircase. It is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6pm, all year. The nursery supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children. The nursery employs 19 staff, including one member of staff who has Early Years Professional Status. All other staff working directly with the children hold appropriate early years childcare qualifications at level 2 or above, including 11 at level 3.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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.

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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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