Stepping Stones Day Nursery (Clay Cross) Ltd

Stepping Stones Day Nursery (Clay Cross) Ltd Ash House, Tower Business Park, High Street, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S45 9DX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 August 2016 Not applicable

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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 reflects on the quality of the provision well and gathers the views of parents to help it make ongoing improvements for the benefit of the children.  Staff provide a welcoming and friendly environment. Children develop close attachments to staff. Children demonstrate that they are happy and settled.  Staff make accurate assessments. They track children's progress, identify children's next steps in their learning and plan activities well to help them move forward. Staff support children successfully in making good progress in their learning.  Staff manage children's behaviour very well. They are good role models and speak calmly to the children, helping them to know what is expected of them. Children behave impeccably and show high levels of confidence in social situations.  The management team and staff have effective partnerships with parents, other providers and professionals. They work closely to support children who have special

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This provision is good

educational needs or disabilty to help them achieve well in their learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At certain times children's play is interrupted so that they can take part in group activities, go outside or have a snack. Children do not have the time they need to expand, refine and finish what they are already doing.  Staff in the pre-school do not consistently build on children's mathematical skills to help them increase their understanding of numbers, shape and measurements.

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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 become engrossed in their chosen play so that they have the time to explore, revisit activities and complete the chosen tasks to their satisfaction  maximise the opportunities to help promote older children's mathematical learning and understanding of mathematical concepts during everyday activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the children and staff at convenient times throughout the inspection. She also held discussions with the provider, manager, deputy manager and the training coordinator.  The inspector observed activities indoors and outside, including snack, lunch and group times.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and the provider.  The inspector looked at children's assessment and learning records and the planning documentation.  The inspector spoke to some parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with the children. She sampled and looked at some of the policies and procedures and the nursery's action plan.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management and staff have drive and ambition. They are passionate and committed to providing good quality care and education for the children. The manager checks on children's progress and staff performance. She supports staff well. For example, she regularly observes their practice and gives targeted feedback to improve teaching. She promotes staff professional development effectively in a variety of ways. Staff attend a wide range of training opportunities, that helps support them to deliver good quality learning experiences. Safeguarding is effective. Management and all staff have a very secure understanding of the procedures to take should they have a child protection concern. Furthermore, management implements robust recruitment procedures to help to ensure the suitability of all adults working within the nursery.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are well qualified and experienced and know how to promote learning effectively. Staff provide a wide range of learning opportunities that is of interest to the children and challenges them well. Staff engage very well with the children, asking useful questions and encouraging their language and communication skills successfully. Children have different opportunities to practise their writing skills and handle tools effectively. For example, older children write their names on their pictures and create shopping lists as they play in the role play area. Younger children enjoy making marks as they smear the paint, using paintbrushes skilfully and talking about their creations. Babies have opportunities to feel different textures and staff support them to explore items, such as feathers and pasta. Staff in the toddler room promote mathematics well. This includes using counting and mathematical language frequently during activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff know children well and provide effective support that helps them to feel safe and secure. Babies' key persons gather essential information from parents before they start to help follow their routines from home. Staff praise and encourage children regularly, which helps to boost their self-esteem and confidence. Staff teach children about keeping themselves safe effectively. For example, pre-school children learn about road safety and rules to follow when out and about. Children learn about keeping healthy. They enjoy being outdoors and make good use of the well resourced and spacious outdoor area. They have healthy snacks and enjoy home-made meals cooked on the premises. Staff encourage children to respect each others' opinions and share family festivals and celebrations with the children to help them learn about diversity in meaningful ways.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress given their starting points. They are enthusiastic and well motivated to learn. They develop increasing independence in caring for themselves from an early age. For example, children use the bathroom independently, pour their own drinks at snack time and make decisions and choices in their play. This prepares them well for their next steps in learning and their move to school. Children are developing good literacy skills. They sit and use books independently and enjoy listening to stories.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY490202 Local authority Derbyshire Inspection number 1022394 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 48 Number of children on roll 72 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Day Nursery (Clay Cross) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01246863486

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reference number

Stepping Stones Day Nursery (Clay Cross) Ltd was registered in 2015. The nursery opens Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm all year round, except for a week between Christmas and New Year, and bank holidays. The nursery receives funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. In addition, the nursery supports children who have special educational needs or disability. There are 14 members of staff. Of these, all hold an early years qualification at level 2 or 3. The nominated person has qualified teacher status.

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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

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

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