Alpha Steps Nursery

Alpha Steps Nursery 89 Vallentin Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 3JJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10 August 2016 17 May 2016

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3

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Outcomes for children Good 2

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The management team does not ensure that relevant records required by Ofsted are readily available for inspection if needed.  The management team does not know which significant changes must be notified to Ofsted should they occur. This is also a breach of the Childcare Register requirements.  Staff do not always make use of information they gather when children first start, to help them plan children's learning straight away.  The management team does not always have routines to check if staff have appropriate training. For example, they do not know who has a current first-aid qualification to support children's care needs.

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It has the following strengths

 Staff establish good partnerships with parents. They communicate with them effectively to foster a joint approach to meeting children's individual needs.  Children are taught well and make good progress in their learning, given what they know when they start. Staff observe what children do closely to help plan suitably challenging experiences to extend their learning.  The environment is welcoming and has a good range of age-appropriate activities to support children's learning. Children behave well and are keen to try activities.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the Childcare Register the provider must:

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Due Date

 ensure all required records are maintained effectively, particularly evidence of staff's paediatric first-aid qualifications, so they are easily accessible and available for inspection 30/09/2016

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Due Date

 improve knowledge and understanding of the significant changes that must be notified to Ofsted, particularly in regard to changes to the nominated person. 01/09/2016

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Due Date

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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Due Date

 strengthen procedures for checking children's progress when they start, to help identify areas where they may need extra support in their learning  enhance procedures to check if staff's training is adequate for children's care needs.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children as they engaged in activities.  The inspector held discussions with the management team and staff during the inspection about children's care and the activities provided.  The inspector took into account the views of the parents and carers spoken to on the day.  The inspector viewed documentation during the inspection, such as those relating to the setting's policies and procedures, children's registers and assessment records.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management requires improvement

Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff know how to recognise and report any day-to-day signs that indicate a child may be at risk of harm. They are beginning to evaluate the quality of the setting and act on the advice of early years professionals. For example, they have improved teaching to good levels and have successfully completed the actions set from the last inspection. However, the setting still does not meet all requirements. For example, the provider has not notified Ofsted of all significant changes in the setting, such as the change to the nominated person. This does not have a significant impact on children's welfare however, as suitability checks are completed. Staff liaise with parents effectively, but do not always use information parents give to help staff plan children's learning better when they start.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff teach children well. They support children effectively while they play. For example, they question older children to extend their mathematical development and problem- solving skills. Furthermore, they talk with toddlers during activities to teach them new words, such as the names of shapes. Staff support those learning English as an additional language, so they are more confident to learn. They encourage children's independence and confidence. Staff teach early writing and reading skills effectively. Those children needing extra help are supported well, as staff training has increased teachers' expertise.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare require improvement

Staff form positive relationships with children and support their emotional needs effectively. Children enjoy eating a range of nutritious foods and benefit from being active, such as when using climbing apparatus outdoors. Staff ensure areas where children play are suitable and safe. However, the management team does not always check if staff's first-aid knowledge is up to date or ensure staff make their records easily available if required. The provider supplied evidence after the inspection to confirm that staff have first-aid qualifications. This means that there is always one person on the premises who is trained to give first-aid treatment to children if needed.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress. They develop good communication and a range of skills in readiness for their future learning. For example, babies begin to explore activities independently and learn to move confidently, and toddlers learn to communicate well with others and how to share. Older children develop their mathematical skills well, such as counting objects accurately.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY376104 Local authority Waltham Forest Inspection number 1053575 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 - 4 Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 27 Name of registered person Alpha Steps Nursery School Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 May 2016 Telephone number 02085212071

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reference number

Alpha Steps Nursery registered in 2008. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm, all year round. There are nine members of staff, including the manager, who work directly with the children; all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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