Little Step Day Care

Little Steps Day Care Marshwood House, 56 Ravensden Road, Sports Complex, BEDFORD, MK41 0JY

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31 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

 Staff confidently implement good teaching methods. Their practical assessments enable them to accurately identify children's needs and interests and use these to inform the activity planning. Children enjoy activities that are challenging and support them in acquiring crucial knowledge and skills in readiness for school.  The manager and staff enthusiastically complete a wide range of training and put any new knowledge into practice. For example, they have extended their procedures to ensure that children use information and communication technology safely and are well protected from any inappropriate use of these systems.  Staff work well with parents. They offer support with developmental issues and provide detailed information about activities. This aids parents in extending their children's learning at home.  Sensitive staff interaction supports children in understanding and appreciating one

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This provision is good

another and learning to work together. Staff encourage children's language and support them in participating in discussions and decisions. This helps to prepare children for playing an active part in their community and wider society.  The manager has developed efficient procedures to monitor each child's progress. She accurately notes any weaker areas and takes prompt action to address these. The nursery now offers children additional resources that support them in understanding and using age-appropriate technology.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always extend the daily play opportunities to support children in fully developing their creative thinking and their skills in solving problems.  Staff do not always make full use of all information from parents about their children's progress at home in order to enrich the activity planning.

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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

 enhance the opportunities for children to express their ideas further and to develop their skills in thinking and solving problems during their daily play and discussions  extend the opportunities for parents to provide information about how their children have been developing at home, and make greater use of this information to inform the planning.

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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 completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. She talked with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager/owner. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the setting's self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views. She also viewed written feedback from parents.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager uses her qualification well to support children's individual needs and to offer staff practical supervision. Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff complete training in order to keep up to date with any changes. They demonstrate a good understanding of how to report concerns about children's welfare. They consider children's safety at all times and carry out risk assessments and safety checks to support this. The manager and staff conscientiously evaluate their work and use this information to inform changes. Recent improvements include changes to the room layout so that older children are able to more easily access resources. Staff work well with other childcare providers and professionals so that children's care is consistent and the promotion of their development is not interrupted.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff plan and adapt activities well to suit each child, reinforcing these to promote children's learning. Children enjoy searching for bugs outside. They use magnifying glasses and talk about the different types of insects and where they live. Their learning is then gently reinforced as they make models of the bugs. Younger children are supported to join in as they paint pictures of insects. Activities such as these promote children's skills in exploring and understanding the natural world. Young children enjoy opportunities that support them in learning to count and understand numbers. For example, they sing number rhymes, eagerly joining in with the actions. Staff observe children's play and confidently adapt activity planning in response to children's needs and interests. This means that children have uninterrupted time to explore independently and complete their tasks.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff start building positive partnerships with parents as soon as children start, enabling them to gain a good understanding of children's needs. They take these needs into account throughout the day, ensuring that children are comfortable and happy. Children quickly build secure relationships with their key person and other adults. Staff offer children sensitive support to help them understand and manage their behaviour. During mealtimes, staff talk with children about the healthy food they are eating, helping them to appreciate the importance of a balanced diet. Children enjoy activities, such as ball games, that support their physical development. Children love looking at displays of their work. Staff talk about these with them, helping them to recognise their achievements and building children's self-esteem.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children respond well to the calm, positive approach displayed by staff. They are excited about their play and learning and make good progress. Staff support children well in developing the skills that underpin their learning and prepare them for school. For example, children enjoy exploring the different noises on a 'sound wall'. Staff help them to describe these to each other, thus supporting the development of children's language and communication skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY493190 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 1032067 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 2 Total number of places 42 Number of children on roll 15 Name of registered person Little Steps Day Care Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07340956133

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reference number

Little Steps Day Care was registered in 2015. The setting employs three members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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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