First Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School Limited

First Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School Limited Orrell Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 1PB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 3 August 2015 Not applicable

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3

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 Good 2

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3

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 newly appointed manager has not yet put systems in place to observe and assess the quality of teaching and its impact on children's learning.  The quality of teaching and planning is variable in the setting. This means that some staff deliver activities that are either too challenging or not interesting enough for children.

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It has the following strengths

 The children form close relationships with their key persons, who work hard to help children develop the confidence and independence they need to cope with change. This prepares children well for the next stage in their learning.  Children enjoy daily opportunities for outdoor activities, and their physical development is supported well.  The manager has organised for all staff to update their safeguarding training, which helps them to have the most up to date information about how to keep children safe.  Children of all ages are happy in this warm, welcoming nursery.  The new owners have already started upgrading the rooms and have firm plans in place to improve the learning environment for children.

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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

 Put in place systems to check the quality of planning, teaching and learning, and give staff feedback to help them consistently plan and deliver enjoyable activities, which are matched to children’s interests and abilities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children during activities, both indoors and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the deputy manager.  The inspector spoke to parents in order to take their views into account.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and a range of other documentation.  The inspector spoke with the staff and manager at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children and discussed the provider's self-evaluation.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Staff are well-qualified and use their knowledge of how children learn to help all children make expected progress. This includes children with additional needs. Children, including those with additional needs, make expected progress. However, occasionally activities are not matched to children's interests or abilities. For example, children drew pictures of their families to make a passport, linked to a travel theme. However, there was no clear explanation of what they were doing and why. This meant children did not understand the purpose of what they were meant to be learning. Some staff are unclear on what they want children to learn from activities. Children gain the skills and knowledge across all seven areas of learning. This helps to prepare them for school.

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good

Staff are caring and sensitive to children's needs, and consequently children are well supported and confident to develop their independence. Staff have an in-depth knowledge of children and their families. They use this to encourage children to talk about their home lives, which helps to develop their communication and language. Staff members make accurate assessments of children's starting points, and of their ongoing learning. Information from assessment is shared well with parents to help them to work with staff to make good any gaps in children’s learning. Children are well mannered, demonstrating their respect of others. Staff explain the importance of healthy eating to children at snack and mealtimes. Children are supported well as they progress to new ability groups. Children leave the setting keen to learn. Daily routines within the setting develop children's independence, such as self-service at mealtimes.

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provision requires improvement

The manager is new in post, and has made a sound start in identifying what will improve the setting the most. The manager has plans to improve the systems to supervise staff practice. However the manager has not yet set specific time aside to observe staff working with the children. This means that the manager is not checking or evaluating the quality of planning and teaching, and impact these are having on children's learning. The manager introduced a new system to help staff plan for children’s learning, however it is not yet embedded and not all staff are yet using the new approach. It is currently too early to see the difference changes to planning are having on the children's learning. The new manager and her deputies have a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. There are robust systems in place to ensure the ongoing suitability of staff, and the manager understands the disqualification requirements. Staff demonstrate a

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provision requires improvement

suitable understanding of safeguarding practice, including the possible signs of abuse and neglect, which keeps children safe.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY486241 Local authority Bury Inspection number 1022331 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 146 Number of children on roll 0 Name of provider First Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School Limited Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01617646752

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Setting details

The setting was registered under the current owners on 15 April 2015. It is situated in a converted church in the Tottington area of Bury. The nursery operates Monday to Friday, all year round from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three-, and four-year olds. The nursery employs a manager and 27 members of childcare staff. Of these, 25 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level three and above.

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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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