Stepping Stones Nursery School

Stepping Stones Nursery School 129 Woodfield Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey, KT7 0DR

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 April 2016 28 September 2010

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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

 Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff use effective ways to involve parents in all aspects of their children's learning and they work very well together to support children's learning at home and in the setting.  The manager and staff monitor children's progress effectively and any gaps in development are identified quickly. They ensure that all children, including those requiring additional help, receive very good support. All children make good progress from their individual starting points.  A successful key-person system is in place and staff know children very well.  Staff support children's creative learning skilfully. For example, they teach children how to use the well-resourced and exciting role play experiences, such as a realistic supermarket and pizza restaurant.  Children respond well to the rules and boundaries in place and behave very well. Staff are positive role models.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some adult-led activities are not based on children's interests and do not provide opportunities for children to make decisions or develop their critical thinking.  Sometimes adults do things for children that they can 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

 strengthen planning of adult-led activities to provide opportunities based on children's interests that encourage decision-making and challenge their critical thinking  make full use of all opportunities for children to do things for themselves, to ensure they make the best possible progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching and the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff, children and parents.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and a range of other documentation, including evidence of suitability, and policies and procedures.  The inspector completed joint observations with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The provider/manager provides strong leadership. She evaluates her provision and sets targets for improvement. She supports her staff well through effective supervisions and training, to help improve learning outcomes for children. The manager and staff work closely with other professionals and local schools, so they can work together to support children's individual needs and promote continuity of care and development. Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a high regard for safeguarding children. They are well trained in safeguarding and understand how to protect children from harm.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make good use of the outdoor play environment to support children's knowledge and understanding of the world. For example, staff use questions skilfully to help children explore insect camouflage, and they provide opportunities for children to test out their ideas. Staff develop children's early mathematical skills effectively. For example, they teach children a range of strategies to solve calculations. Staff have created a literacy-rich environment and children have lots of opportunities to practise their writing skills. Staff place a strong focus on supporting children's language and communication skills and use a range of strategies successfully, such as sign language.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

All children are well cared for by kind and caring staff. Children are happy and secure. Staff provide a warm, safe environment for the children and support their emotional well- being. They settle them in well and form strong bonds with all children. Staff celebrate and value the religious and cultural backgrounds of all children attending. For example, families are involved in setting up Chinese New Year role play, and parents are invited to share stories in their home languages. Children understand the daily routines and gain good social skills; for example, they help each other to tidy up at the end of the session. Children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles and have lots of opportunities to be physically active.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who are learning English as an additional language and those who have special educational needs, make good progress from their starting points. Children are curious, confident learners and sustain their concentration well. They develop the key skills they need for the future; for example, they use their mathematical knowledge confidently, learn to listen to others and develop good conversation skills. Older children are well prepared for their move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 955834 Local authority Surrey Inspection number 826274 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 62 Number of children on roll 139 Name of provider Alison Jane Sellers Date of previous inspection 28 September 2010 Telephone number 020 8398 1955

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Setting details

Stepping Stones Nursery School registered in 1990. It is situated in Thames Ditton, Surrey. It is open from 8.30am to 3.45pm Monday to Thursday, and from 8.30am to 1pm on Friday, all year. The provider employs 17 members of staff, 15 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. Two members of staff hold Qualified Teacher Status. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four 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

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