STEP Childcare

Early STEPS Nursery 648 Manchester Road, Stocksbridge, SHEFFIELD, S36 1DY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 August 2015 13 July 2009

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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 Outstanding 1

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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

 Children's safety and protection is central to the nursery's practice. Staff are uncompromising in their implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures. Staff are confident to share concerns about children or adults with appropriate professionals.  The nursery is a well-resourced, well-planned environment. This means children enjoy good quality learning opportunities that capture their interest and motivate them to learn.  Consistent assessment of children's development ensures their progress is closely monitored. Any gaps in children's learning are quickly identified. Prompt action is taken to ensure children are supported to make strong progress from their starting points.  A very strong focus on communication and language means all children develop the skills they need for their learning in school.  Frequent monitoring ensures the manager has a good understanding of the nursery's strengths and weaknesses. All staff are encouraged to reflect on their practice and

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This provision is good

explore ways to improve their teaching skills.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On occasions, staff miss opportunities to promote mathematics and extend problem solving skills.  Information about children's next steps in learning is not always shared effectively between staff in the pre-school room.

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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

 make the most of opportunities to build on children's mathematical knowledge and further develop their problem solving skills  ensure information about children's learning is shared between staff in the pre-school room so that planning continues to target children's individual learning needs when their key person is not in the setting.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed joint observations with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the nursery's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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who attend. This is good

The nursery engages exceptionally well with parents, enabling them to be fully involved in their children's learning. Staff work closely with them to support them in continuing their children's learning at home. This shared approach helps to ensure that each child's learning needs are promoted. Assessment is detailed and accurate. Staff use their thorough understanding of children's learning and good quality teaching to provide a wide range of learning opportunities. For example, children develop their understanding of letters to prepare them for more formal learning in school. However, staff in the pre- school room do not always share information about children's next steps in learning. This means that when children's key persons are absent from the setting, their activities are not as well planned. Communication and language development is very successfully promoted using a combination of sign language and spoken language. Children who enter

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who attend. This is good

the nursery below their expected targets in speech and language soon catch up. Mathematics is not as well taught because staff sometimes overlook opportunities to explore mathematics and encourage problem solving.

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outstanding

The nursery is proactive in building exceptional partnerships with other professionals so that they can offer support to families as a whole. Parents describe the nursery as having a happy atmosphere. Children thoroughly enjoy exploring the exciting environment every day, which is abundant with learning opportunities. Children develop physical skills as they use large play equipment in the outdoor area. Superb arrangements for transition ensure that children are exceptionally well prepared as they move rooms and eventually move on to school. Babies are extremely well cared for by loving and attentive staff. Children flourish as they become independent and learn valuable social skills, such as kindness and consideration for others. Staff praise children's efforts, which gives them a sense of achievement and enhances their learning and development. Children's health and well- being is further enhanced by the input of health professionals, who teach them about why

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outstanding

staying healthy is important. Daily routines are particularly well established. For example, children help to set tables for lunch and serve themselves with food and drinks. This means children are exceedingly well prepared for school.

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provision is good

Robust recruitment ensures staff are suitable for their role. Regular monitoring of staff performance promotes consistently good practice. The qualified team of staff is committed to delivering good quality care and learning. The manager regularly reviews the nursery's practice to identify areas for improvement, taking into account the changing needs of those who attend. Parents and children are fully included in the evaluation of the nursery and their ideas bring about improvements. For example, newsletters that inform parents about events and activities are now sent out more frequently. This ensures parents are very well informed about their children's learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY386602 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 858992 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 88 Name of provider Step Development Trust Date of previous inspection 13 July 2009 Telephone number 01142836930

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Setting details

Early STEPS Nursery was registered in 2009. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2, or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four- year-old children.

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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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