Stepping Stones (West Street)

Stepping Stones (West Street) 523 West Street, Crewe, CW1 3PA

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 September 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 hold discussions with all parents about their child's previous learning before the time of entry. This helps them to identify what each child already knows and can do. This important information is used well to identify every child's unique starting points from the outset and to build a tailored care and learning plan from the start.  The staff have developed a strong, shared approach with other providers and professionals. This ensures that there is consistency and continuity for children's care, learning and development.  All staff demonstrate a high level of care and warmth towards the children. This, and strong key-person procedures, helps children to build strong emotional attachments with those caring for them. Furthermore, children behave well, learn about the rules and develop strong friendships with one another.  The self-evaluation process helps to identify improvement targets throughout the

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This provision is good

nursery so that all children benefit from attending the provision. The process includes the views of the management, staff, parents and children. This ensures that outcomes for children continually improve.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff are not yet successful in making sure that all parents are fully informed about plans for their child's future learning.

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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

 improve the sharing of information so that all parents are consistently informed about the next steps in their child's learning and development.

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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 quality assurance manager for the nursery.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and the quality assurance manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as the self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a selection of the staff during the inspection.  The inspector spoke to some of the parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff attend child protection training. They know what to do and who to contact should they have a concern about a child in their care. All indoor and outdoor areas are checked before the children arrive and throughout the day. This helps to keep children safe. The management provides staff with regular opportunities to discuss their key children and anything else that concerns them. The manager works closely with the company's quality assurance manager. They regularly observe staff and encourage them to reflect on their practice. They seek out training opportunities to keep staff's knowledge fresh and current. This, and good monitoring of the educational programme, makes sure that all children are progressing well across all aspects of their learning and development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff encourage older children to explore and investigate the outdoor environment very well. Children take turns to roll balls down pipes as they aim them to land in a large tyre. They repeat this, experimenting as they move the pipes, aiming them at other areas of the garden. Staff skilfully encourage children to use their critical thinking and prediction skills as they consider what may happen next. Staff engage effectively with the younger children, using resources well to promote their enjoyment and fun. Younger children laugh and giggle with their friends as they blow and chase bubbles, trying to burst them. Staff use an ongoing running commentary to encourage younger children's listening and understanding skills during such activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are supported to become confident in taking manageable risks in their play. They have a go at climbing and balancing on a range of equipment and keep trying till they succeed. They engage in dance and movement activities, which promotes their overall physical development. Children are provided with healthy snacks every day. This helps them to develop an awareness of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Children play with a range of resources and engage in activities that support their awareness of similarities and differences between themselves and others.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are developing the skills that will support their readiness for school. They use chalks to make marks on the chalk board and talk with staff about their creations. Children use their imagination as they mix concoctions and potions in the mud kitchen. They become engrossed as they imaginatively find and mix natural resources with water, using tools, jugs and other vessels. This helps to excite and motivate children to keep trying. Staff promote children's high levels of self-esteem and sense of belonging to the setting. This positively contributes to their 'can do' attitude to learning. All children, including those in receipt of funding, make good progress in their learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY480122 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 1008035 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Stepping Stones (West Street) Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07774 211458

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reference number

Stepping Stones (West Street) was registered in 2015. It is one of four settings operated by a private provider. The nursery employs five members of staff. Of these, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and two hold level 2. 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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