Little Steps Nursery (2) Limited

Little Steps Nursery (2) Limited 1223 Warwick Road, Acocks Green, BIRMINGHAM, B27 6PX

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 September 2016 Not applicable

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Inadequate 4

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This inspection: Inadequate 4

Outcomes for children Requires improvement

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This provision is inadequate

 The managers have not implemented rigorous risk assessments in the outdoor play area. Gates are not locked to maintain children's security. The providers have not considered the impact of security cameras located on other premises that are at a very close proximity to the nursery's outdoor play area. Children's welfare is compromised.  Some staff do not have a good understanding of the setting's safeguarding procedures, in particular those relating to what to do if allegations are made against staff.  The providers have not ensured that all staff are well prepared to fulfil their roles. Supervision and the monitoring of staff's practice and teaching are weak.  The quality of teaching is variable. Staff do not always plan challenging, purposeful activities or deliver educational programmes that ensure children are engaged. Children are not always provided with learning experiences that help them to make the best

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This provision is inadequate

possible progress in readiness for school.  Partnerships with parents are not always successful and the key-person system is not fully effective. Information about children's individual needs is not always shared between the setting and home. Parents are not aware of the key person who is responsible for their children's care and learning needs.  Self-evaluation and monitoring processes do not ensure that weaknesses are identified or swiftly addressed to improve the outcomes for children.

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It has the following strengths

 The environment is bright and well resourced, both indoors and outdoors. Children are generally happy and enjoy their time at the nursery.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Due Date

 carry out rigorous risk assessments in the outdoor play area and ensure children are kept safe and their welfare is protected 23/09/2016

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Due Date

 ensure all staff have a secure understanding of the safeguarding procedure they need to follow, with particular regard to allegations made against a member of staff 23/09/2016

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Due Date

 provide support, coaching and training for all staff to ensure that they have the appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding they need to deliver a quality learning experience for all children 07/10/2016

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Due Date

 develop the key-person system and improve communication with children and their parents to ensure that the care provided is tailored to promote their interests and meets their individual needs 07/10/2016

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Due Date

 improve the quality of teaching and plan challenging, purposeful activities that help to ensure that children are engaged and have continuous opportunities to make the best possible progress 07/10/2016

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Due Date

 ensure a regular, two-way flow of information is established with all parents and work together to complement the care and learning that takes place in the nursery. 07/10/2016

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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

 develop rigorous self-evaluation and monitoring processes and ensure that all weaknesses are identified and swiftly addressed, in order to improve the outcomes for children and raise the quality of the provision.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed joint observations with the managers. She spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector held a meeting with the managers. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the evidence of the suitability and training of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a small selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective. Leaders and managers have not done enough to assure children's safety and well-being. Robust checks are not completed in the outdoor play area to ensure children's security is maintained at all times. The manager has not made sure the gates remain locked so that children are unable to leave the premises unnoticed and to prevent unauthorised access to the nursery. Furthermore, the providers have not assessed the risks posed by close circuit television from other premises. They have not implemented robust measures to minimise potential hazards when children play outdoors. Children's welfare is compromised. Some staff do not have a good understanding of the procedures they need to follow in event of allegations made against a member of staff. The provider has not ensured that the new manager and her deputy are supported well enough in their roles. Systems for supervision are not

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is inadequate

implemented to ensure all staff receive the support and guidance they need to improve their practice for the benefit of children. The new managers aspire to develop the provision. They have responded to some advice given by the local authority advisor and reorganised the layout indoors to allow children to move around freely. However, targets for improvement are yet to be identified to raise the overall standard of provision and improve outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

Staff provide suitable activities to promote children's learning and development. However, staff do not always adapt activities to capture children's attention or to respond to their changing interests. Furthermore, there are times when children are prevented from exploring and becoming absorbed in their learning, as staff move them on to something else. This leads to inconsistent teaching that is not always matched to all children's needs. Nevertheless, children develop some skills in listening and understanding. They follow instructions. Staff know that children enjoy certain stories and provide opportunities for them to participate by completing rhymes. Children have fun jumping up and down to familiar nursery rhymes. They learn about opposites as they sing loudly and quietly. The management team has a basic overview of the progress individual children make. However, they have not yet found ways to share information with parents, in particular

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment requires improvement

those who speak English as an additional language. Children do not always benefit from continuity in their learning and development between the setting and home.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are inadequate

Significant weaknesses in leadership and management mean that children's safety and well-being are compromised. A key-person system is not yet fully established. Parents are not aware of their child's key person. Consequently, children's individual needs are not always known by staff. Care and learning experiences are not tailored to help children make good progress. Children generally behave well and staff encourage them to share toys and take turns. Children make choices in their play and when they have a snack. Children learn to manage their own personal needs, such as washing their hands.

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Outcomes for children require improvement

Children are not supported well enough to become highly successful learners. Although children are confident and inquisitive, weaknesses in teaching mean that children are not always supported to make the best possible progress in their learning and development. They do not have sufficient opportunities to extend their learning and achieve good, or better, outcomes.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY495495 Local authority Birmingham Inspection number 1034958 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 2 - 3 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 37 Name of registered person Little Steps Nursery (2) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 0121 296 9875

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reference number

Little Steps Nursery (2) Limited was registered in 2015. The nursery employs eight members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including one with level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education places 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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