Stepping Stones Day Nursery and Pre-School

Stepping Stones Day Nursery 152 Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 4JA

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14 May 2015 24 March 2011

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

p.1

This provision is good

 Staff provide children with a good variety of activities that promote all areas of their learning. This helps to ensure all children, including those learning English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points.  Staff promote behaviour exceptionally well. They provide gentle reminders and discuss boundaries so that children know what is expected of them. Children play cooperatively and, as a result, behaviour is exemplary.  Staff provide children with excellent opportunities to develop their independence. Children dress themselves for wet play outdoors and serve their own meals. Young babies are encouraged to feed themselves from an early age. Consequently, children flourish in the environment and gain excellent self-care skills.  Partnerships with parents and other providers are strong. Regular sharing of information provides continuity in children's learning and care.

p.1

This provision is good

 The management team reflects on practice regularly to make continuous improvements. They gain the views of staff, parents and children to help maintain good standards.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not provide as broad a range of resources, that are freely accessible to children, outdoors as they do indoors, to further develop children's spontaneous play when outside.  Staff do not provide opportunities for those children learning English as an additional language to see print in their home languages in the environment, to strengthen their, as well as all other children's, understanding that all print carries meaning.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 strengthen opportunities for children to choose from a greater variety of resources outside, to further develop their spontaneous play  provide opportunities to see print in children's home languages in the environment, to strengthen children's understanding that all print has meaning.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the different areas used in the nursery.  The inspector examined a selection of policies, children's records and other documents.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke with parents, staff and children to gain their views.  The inspector discussed the self-evaluation process with the manager and area manager.

p.2

who attend. This is good

Staff have a good understanding of how children learn. They monitor children's progress and plan for their individual needs. They use skilful questions to help children think and repeat words for babies to acquire new language. They support those learning English as an additional language to follow the routines using strategies, such as picture cards. A variety of writing and mathematical activities helps prepare children for school. Children enjoy the outdoors and have good opportunities to develop their physical skills. However, there are fewer resources outdoors than indoors for children to freely choose, to extend their play. For example, outside there are no sieves for the sand, or rulers and binoculars to extend children's explorations. Staff teach children about different festivals and provide a variety of resources to help children learn about differences between themselves and others. Children see some print in the environment. They enjoy looking at books in groups

p.3

who attend. This is good

or on their own. This strengthens their understanding of the written word. However, there is less print displayed in children's home languages, to strengthen this further.

p.3

outstanding

Staff deploy themselves highly effectively, ensuring they offer excellent encouragement and support to children. Staff gain extensive information from parents about children when they first start. This helps staff plan for children from the outset, and helps them settle quickly. Staff excellently support children as they move through the nursery and on to school. This prepares children well for their next stage in learning. Babies display high levels of confidence as they explore the environment. Staff form positive relationships with them as they laugh and play together. Older children know the routines extremely well. They wash their hands before meal times and have excellent opportunities to learn about hygiene routines. For example, children clean their teeth daily after lunch. Children eat healthy meals and learn about healthy lifestyles. Staff place a high importance around children's safety and regularly practise evacuation drills with them and discuss road safety.

p.3

provision is good

Staff have a secure understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. They carry out regular risk assessments, and have secure policies and procedures in place to safeguard children while in their care. The use of robust recruitment processes helps to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. The management team carries out regular supervision of staff. They identify staff training needs. As a result, this helps staff to gain the knowledge and skills they need to carry out their roles effectively and to help improve outcomes for children. Staff assess children regularly and share this with parents. This helps to ensure they support their children's learning at home.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 148626 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 825947 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 48 Name of provider Kingsclere Nurseries Limited Date of previous inspection 24 March 2011 Telephone number 0118 932 8117

p.4

Setting details

Stepping Stones Day Nursery registered in 1992 and is owned by Complete Childcare Limited. The nursery is situated in Finchampstead, Berkshire. The nursery is open from 7.45am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks a year. There are currently 11 members of staff who work with the children, of whom eight hold relevant early years qualifications at Level 3. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education to children aged two-, three- and four-years-old.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Setting details

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.5

Setting details

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

p.5