First Steps Moorlands Children's Centre

First Steps Moorlands Children's Centre Moorfields Road, Bath, BA2 2DQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 March 2016 19 October 2015

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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

 Managers and staff skilfully interact with children to extend and challenge their learning. Children are confident, motivated and engaged during their play and activities. They make good progress from their initial starting points.  Managers and staff are good role models. Children's behaviour is very good and they are encouraged to solve problems and manage conflict for themselves. Children are tolerant, make friends, build relationships and learn how to share and take turns.  Parents are fully informed about their children's learning achievements and how these can be extended at home. Parents compliment staff on the care and learning provided and they comment on how happy their children are to attend.  The managers have made significant improvements since the last inspection. For example, they have addressed all actions and recommendations and diligently carry out effective checks to ensure all potential hazards and risks to children are identified and

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This provision is good

removed. Detailed action plans and evaluations support ongoing improvement.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Managers and staff do not always fully support children to gain a better understanding of mathematical language and concepts during play and activities.  On occasion, managers and staff are over eager to support children with self-care tasks that they could do for themselves.

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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 more opportunities for children to further develop their understanding of mathematical concepts and mathematical language  build on the daily opportunities that enable children to develop their own independence and self-help skills.

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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 sampled a range of documentation, including records of staff suitability checks, attendance records, the self-assessment information, children's observation, assessment and planning records, and documentation linked to managing children's progress.  The inspector held discussions with the management team and spoke with children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers spoken to on the day of the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Managers and staff have a good knowledge of procedures to follow if they have any concerns about the welfare of a child. Furthermore, recruitment procedures are robust. Managers are committed to improving outcomes for children. For example, they monitor individual and groups of children to check that they are making progress. All children, including those who have special educational needs, receive the support they need so that any gaps in their learning are closing. The majority of staff are well qualified and have an established programme of professional development in place. For example, they have regular meetings with managers, observe each other's practice and identify, attend and share training to help raise the quality of their teaching. Managers work closely with other settings children attend to help provide continuity in care and learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have a good understanding of how children learn and develop. For example, they routinely observe and assess children's progress. They use this information to help plan activities that are tailored to children's individual interests and needs. Staff support children's communication and language skills well. For example, they are skilled at asking age-appropriate questions to challenge children's thinking and extend their vocabulary. Children particularly enjoy imaginative play. Staff promote children's understanding of the world around them. For example, when children found a frog outdoors, staff used this opportunity to help develop their understanding of life cycles and where animals live.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff develop warm and close relationships with children, who are happy, self-confident and explore their surroundings. Staff are vigilant about arrival and collection procedures, and very good security precautions contribute towards children's safety and welfare. Staff care for children well; for example, they monitor sleeping babies closely, and children clearly feel emotionally secure with their key person. Staff teach children the importance of a healthy lifestyle. For example, children freely access the outdoor area for the majority of each session and delight in testing out their physical skills on the wide variety of equipment. Staff help children to understand equality and diversity in society and teach them to respect and celebrate other people's similarities and differences.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress in readiness for the next stage in their learning and school. For example, babies maintain their interest as they enjoy dancing, singing and splashing in water. Older children re-tell stories, sing with gusto, and recognise the sounds that letters make. Some children know how to read and write their own name.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY287532 Local authority Bath & NE Somerset Inspection number 1031295 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 1 - 4 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 107 Name of provider First Steps (Bath) Date of previous inspection 19 October 2015 Telephone number 01225 317 123

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Setting details

First Steps Moorlands Children's Centre registered in 2004. It operates from within the grounds of Moorlands School Federation, Bath. The centre is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, all year round, except for bank holidays, between Christmas and New Year, and three in-service training days. A team of 13 childcare staff are employed; of these, 12 are qualified to level 3 or above in early years.

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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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