Little Steps (Higham Ferrers) Ltd

Little Steps (Higham Ferrers) Ltd 5 College Street, Higham Ferrers, RUSHDEN, Northamptonshire, NN10 8DX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 1 June 2015 29 October 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

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

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

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

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 Teaching is consistently good and occasionally outstanding. Staff provide the children with a wide range of purposeful activities based on their individual likes and interests. Children are motivated to learn more and demonstrate a love of learning. Consequently, children make very good progress based on their starting points.  The senior management team work closely together to regularly evaluate the activities and oversee all children's ongoing progress. Staff work well with other early years providers involved in children's care and learning. This means children receive a consistent and continuous approach to their learning.  Children develop a good knowledge of the world around them as staff include everyday objects in children's play. Children talk excitedly to each other as they pretend to make soup and birthday cakes for their friends. Children demonstrate a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they remind their friends to blow the food, as it is

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This provision is good

hot.  Children's safety and well-being is given a high priority. Vigorous risk assessment, stringent safety measures and effective safeguarding procedures ensure that children feel safe, and are secure. Thorough recruitment procedures ensure that newly appointed staff are suitable to care for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always recognise opportunities during everyday routines, to further develop older children's sense of responsibility and independence.

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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

 provide older, more capable children with even more opportunities to have responsibility for age-appropriate jobs during everyday routines, such as laying out the table for mealtimes.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning, both inside and outdoors.  The inspector spoke with staff members and children during the inspection.  The inspector held meetings with the provider and the manager of the provision.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documents.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children, the provider's self-evaluation form and improvement plan.  The inspector spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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who attend. This is good

Staff regularly observe and assess children's learning. Parents regularly update staff about their children's achievements at home. Staff use their knowledge and experience to identify next steps in learning for each child. Children are highly engaged during adult-led activities. The youngest children explore the environment with confidence. Staff provide babies with lots of opportunities to practise their walking skills. Toddlers learn how to count as they enjoy singing number songs and rhymes. Staff effectively support children's communication and language skills. They engage children in conversation, model language clearly and introduce new words to extend their vocabulary. Children enjoy practising their early writing skills during play. They write their names in sand and are able to sound out letters. These effective teaching strategies help to prepare children for the move to school. Parents state that they are very happy with the service and are complimentary about the

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who attend. This is good

hardworking staff team. They feel welcomed into the nursery and believe their children have made good progress since starting.

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good

The key-person system is well established and effective. Staff develop warm, close relationships with children. Children settle well, and are happy and confident to explore their surroundings. Staff encourage children to achieve their goals and regularly praise their efforts. Consequently, children are motivated to learn more. However, staff do not always offer older, more capable children opportunities to become even more independent during everyday routines. Consequently, their sense of responsibility is not always fully promoted. Staff manage children's behaviour very well. They display a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities to promote the safety, welfare and learning of children. Staff are deployed effectively and supervise children well. Children have many occasions to play outside in the fresh air. Effective procedures ensure that children are prepared well emotionally for future learning. Children moving on to school are visited by their new

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good

teachers and take part in a variety of activities to support their well-being.

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provision is good

The provider has an in-depth knowledge of the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Staff are well qualified, and work well as a team to deliver good quality care and teaching. They are encouraged to undertaken further training and are committed to raising standards. Regular supervision meetings occur, and teaching practice is observed to ensure and promote a good quality service. Ratios are maintained at all times. The provider records and fully investigates any concerns raised, and she shares any action taken with parents. The provider has a secure understanding of matters that need to be notified to Ofsted. Staff record all necessary information about accidents to children, and records are shared with senior staff and parents. The management team accurately track and oversee children's ongoing learning and development. Partnerships with outside professionals are well established. Consequently, children receive the support they need.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY378109 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 1015679 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 99 Number of children on roll 186 Name of provider Little Steps (Higham Ferrers) Ltd Date of previous inspection 29 October 2013 Telephone number 01933 357400

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Setting details

Little Steps (Higham Ferrers) Ltd nursery was registered in 2008. The nursery employs 28 members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 to 6, including one with Early Years Professional status and another with Qualified Teacher Status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.45am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports a number of children who speak English as an additional language, and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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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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