Stepping Stones Day Nursery

Stepping Stones Day Nursery Stepping Stones Day Nursery, 83 North Street, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1BD

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 September 2016 Not applicable

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 Observation, assessment and planning procedures are thorough. Managers track children's development carefully. They take effective action to address any gaps in learning to support children's good progress.  The management team follows rigorous self-evaluation and involves staff to identify areas for further improvement. The staff training and development programme helps to improve skills to increase children's learning opportunities.  Positive partnerships with parents, external agencies, other providers and schools enable staff to provide effective support to children. Staff have a secure knowledge of children's individual care and learning needs.  Staff provide a stimulating and varied range of activities to support children's interests and development. Children benefit from the wealth of outdoor learning opportunities.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 The organisation of some group story times for children aged two to three years does not fully support children's developing concentration and listening skills.  The manager and staff do not always organise baby room routines well at lunchtime, to limit waiting times.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve the organisation of story time activities for children aged two to three years, to reduce distractions and increase their ability to concentrate  review the organisation of lunchtime activities in the baby room, to make the most of all learning opportunities.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the providers, the manager, staff and parents.  The inspector conducted joint observations with the manager.  The inspector observed staff and children in their indoor and outdoor activities.  The inspector sampled children's development records and other documentation, including evidence of staff suitability.  The inspector checked the safety of the premises.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The management team and staff know and understand the procedures well that enable them to safeguard children's welfare. They take effective action to protect children's health, safety and well-being, and staff supervise children well. The management team works well to review and make changes, for example, to its communication with parents. This helps the team to promptly address and resolve any questions and concerns raised. The management team supports staff well to share knowledge from training, which has led to increased mathematical activities for children. Rigorous procedures enable the management team to check staff suitability to work with children. The management team has used additional funding effectively to support children's personal, social and emotional development.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff have good knowledge of children's needs and development. Each area is well equipped to encourage children's learning. For example, older children select writing and creative play materials. They focus well in independent play and are proud of their achievements, such as when they write their name. Two-year-olds readily join painting activities, where they make prints with enthusiasm. Staff engage babies well with toys and singing sessions, and they take them on local walks. Support for children's communication and language development is good throughout the nursery. Older children learn letters and sounds, developing important skills for school. Staff involve parents well in children's learning through their informative newsletters, website and assessment procedures.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are happy and thrive in the nursery. Staff nurture them well and have effective settling-in procedures. For example, toddlers gain reassurance from looking at their family photograph books. Children learn and follow consistent routines, which helps them to feel secure and develop independence. For example, children learn to put on their outdoor clothes, and older children serve themselves at mealtimes. Babies form strong attachments to staff and older children make friends easily. Children explore outside with great interest. For example, younger children enjoy sensory play with sand and water, while older children search for worms. Staff support children well to grow fruits and vegetables in the garden, which they can eat. Staff are vigilant in meeting children's dietary requirements.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are inquisitive, explore with confidence and play well. They enjoy learning and make good progress from their starting points, gaining good skills in preparation for school. Children develop secure relationships and behave well.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY478044 Local authority Devon Inspection number 979216 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 74 Number of children on roll 129 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Day Nursery (SW) Ltd

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01837 55111

p.4

reference number

Stepping Stones Day Nursery has been operating since 1998 and re-registered in 2014. It is privately owned and operates from a purpose-built building in Okehampton, Devon. The nursery is open from 7.45am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, for 50 weeks of the year, closing for Christmas and bank holidays. There are 22 members of staff employed to work with the children. The owner/manager holds early years professional status, one member of staff has a qualification at level 7, two staff have a qualification at level 6, 10 staff are qualified to level 3, and five have a qualification at level 2. The nursery receives early education funding to provide places for children aged two, three and four years.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

reference number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

p.5

reference number

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

p.5