Second Steps Day Nursery

Second Steps Day Nursery Durham Road, Laindon, BASILDON, Essex, SS15 6PH

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 December 2015 13 August 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Good teaching ensures that children and babies make good progress towards the early learning goals. The provision for children who speak English as an additional language is good.  Staff are skilled in promoting children's independence. Children manage their self-care successfully. Well-established routines help children adopt good hygiene practices.  Children behave well. Staff set very clear boundaries, and praise and rewards are used effectively to acknowledge good behaviour and learning. Children know that their efforts are valued.  Strong partnerships with parents and other professionals ensure that children receive valuable support to enable them to participate and achieve. Parents value the quality of care and learning provided.  The nursery has strong links with local schools to ensure that the move to school is a pleasant experience for children and parents.  Managers work well together to create a highly motivated and reflective staff team.

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This provision is good

They demonstrate a strong drive to improve outcomes for the children. The views of parents, children and staff contribute well to the on-going self-evaluation process, to ensure that the nursery continues to improve.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The recently introduced in-house training programme is not yet fully embedded to support staff in developing their practice to the highest level.  Systems for monitoring and analysing assessment information are not yet fully established to reflect all of the specific groups of children attending the nursery.

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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 training programme to further develop staff skills and practice, in order to improve outcomes for children  refine the new systems for tracking children's progress, in order to identify variations in the learning of the different groups of children attending, so that any necessary interventions are well targeted.

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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 a joint observation 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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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Managers provide strong leadership for an effective team of highly committed staff. There is a good management structure with clear roles and responsibilities. This ensures that the nursery runs efficiently on a daily basis. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Children's safety is of high priority and children are safeguarded at this nursery. Thorough vetting procedures are in place to ensure the safe recruitment of staff. Systems for monitoring staff performance and supervision are effective and contribute well to the continuous cycle of professional development. Management has recently introduced an in- house training programme to enhance staff understanding of how to provide rich learning environments. However, this not yet fully embedded to ensure practice of the highest quality. Activities are engaging and children's learning is further enriched by outings in the community and from visitors to the nursery.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Effective systems for observing and assessing children enable staff to plan innovative learning opportunities to support children's next steps. Children are highly motivated and curious. Managers are starting to use assessment information to identify gaps in the learning of some groups of children. However, this is not yet fully established to ensure that all groups are identified. Staff place a lot of emphasis on developing children's language and communication skills. They model language well and engage in meaningful conversation with the children, extending their language and developing their thinking skills. Older children thoroughly enjoy an interactive story session supported by character props, and they link letters and sounds. Babies respond well to the staff and confidently explore their environment. Parents are actively involved in their children's education. They contribute to their children's initial assessments. Staff use this information to establish

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

children's starting points. Parents receive valuable support to promote their children's learning at home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children and babies thrive well in this safe, stimulating learning environment. They form strong emotional attachments with the staff which make them feel secure, settled and happy. Children are developing good social skills. The key-person system ensures continuity of care and learning throughout the day. Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks during the day. The well-designed outdoor play areas provide good opportunities for daily, active physical play and exploration of the natural world. Children practise throwing and catching skills, and ride wheedled toys. Children celebrate various festivals throughout the year and begin to learn about people and communities. Children access their learning journey records and talk about their achievements with pride and excitement. This boosts their self-esteem immensely.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children and babies make good progress from their starting points. They are developing key skills that will help them learn in the next stage of their education, including school. Funded children are progressing well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY308855 Local authority Essex Inspection number 1028553 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 51 Number of children on roll 68 Name of provider Sharon Anne Watson Date of previous inspection 13 August 2013 Telephone number 01268 410937

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Setting details

Second Steps Day Nursery was registered in 2005. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff, 19 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 7pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It also provides an out-of-school provision. The nursery supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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

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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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