Littlefootsteps

Littlefootsteps 106 Stroud Road, Gloucester, GL1 5JN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 August 2016 5 October 2012

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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

 The management team is motivated and enthusiastic. It supports staff in their professional development and encourages further training. Staff use their qualifications and knowledge successfully to support children's learning. They track children's progress effectively and use this information well to provide activities to support their future learning. Children make good progress.  Children are confident and comfortable in their surroundings. They develop close attachments with their key person and young children settle quickly. All staff have a calm, caring approach towards the children, helping to create a reassuring atmosphere for children.  There are good partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals. Through the regular sharing of information, everyone is able to contribute and consistently support children's development and learning.  Through regular evaluation of practice, the management team and staff effectively

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This provision is good

identify the strengths of the nursery and address areas for further improvement.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At mealtimes, staff are not always consistent in helping children to develop their independence skills further.  Children do not always realise that they can choose from the full range of activities available to challenge their learning even further.

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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

 ensure staff have a consistent approach to encouraging children's emerging independence skills  help children to understand that they can explore the full range of activities at all times to challenge their learning even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and staff interactions with children in the nursery, including the outside learning environment.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager, and had discussions with the owner and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector checked the evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working with children, and the self-evaluation and improvement plan.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers from information gathered for the inspection.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation including children's records, safeguarding procedures, and policies and procedures.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The management and staff team are clear about child protection procedures. They are confident about what they would do if they have any welfare concerns. The management team regularly reviews the quality of children's progress and uses the information to set high expectations. It completes regular supervision and monitoring of staff performance to help maintain the quality of teaching to a consistently good standard. Staff work well as a team and are highly motivated. Staff have good partnerships with parents. For example, they introduced 'time for talk' appointments for parents to exchange information with their child's key person. Parents comment about how this has helped them to support their child's learning at home and how happy they are with the care their child receives.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide a stimulating, interesting environment and support children's learning effectively. Staff successfully encourage children's communication and language development. For example, staff talk to children as they interact with them, introducing new words. They talk constantly to young children about what they are doing and the toys they are playing with. Staff help children to solve problems, and give them time to think and answer questions. Children are eager to learn and engage in activities with enthusiasm.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are comfortable in their surroundings. They enjoy their time at the nursery. Staff praise and encourage children as they play. Children have good self-esteem and confidence, and behave well. Staff remind children about taking turns and sharing. Through home visits and detailed information gathered during settling-in processes, for example, staff get to know their key children well. Babies and young children settle very quickly. Children learn good personal hygiene procedures and about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy exploring the outside learning environment where they develop their physical skills, for example. Children have access to a balanced range of easily accessible resources inside and outside.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are confident and demonstrate they are happy to join in with activities. They confidently count and use numbers in play. They extend their physical development and manage risks, for instance, as they use the good range of equipment outside. Children enjoy developing their creative skills. For example, they enjoy drawing and painting outside and inside, using chalks, water, paint and crayons. Children quickly develop the key skills they need to prepare them for their future learning, including the move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY447102 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 1059359 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 35 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Mary Farley

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 October 2012 Telephone number 01452 380599

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reference number

Little Footsteps Day Nursery is privately owned and opened in 1993. It re-registered in 2012 and is located in Gloucester. The nursery is open on weekdays from 8am to 5.45pm all year round, except for bank holidays. It is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There is a team of 12 staff, including the nursery owner and a cook. There are nine members of staff who hold relevant childcare qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 6.

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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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