Stepping Stones Montessori Childcare Limited

Stepping Stones Montessori Childcare Limited The Old School House, Village Road, Waverton, CHESTER, CH3 7QN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 November 2016 16 April 2014

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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 has high expectations of what all children can achieve. The provider and staff regularly review their work in the nursery to identify areas for further improvement.  Children are highly confident and engaged individuals. They enjoy their learning in the vibrant, interesting and challenging nursery. Learning is well promoted both indoors and outdoors.  Parents speak positively about the nursery and how well staff meet the needs and interests of children. They feel they are kept well informed by staff about children's progress. Parents are given ideas about how to support children's learning at home.  Children have strong bonds with staff. Children feel secure and settle very quickly at the warm and welcoming nursery. Staff respect children as individuals and promote their well-being effectively.  Children are motivated, confident and active learners, who are well prepared for their

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This provision is good

next stage of learning and move to school.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although there is continuous professional development for staff, it is not focused sharply enough on helping to enhance the quality of teaching to the highest possible level.

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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 support given to staff to help and guide them to raise the quality of teaching to the highest possible level.

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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 spoke with members of staff. The inspector completed two joint observations with the manager of the nursery.  The inspector held a meeting with the owner and the manager and looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. He discussed self-evaluation and plans for improvement.  The inspector spoke to children and 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. Staff have a good knowledge of how to identify and report concerns regarding the welfare of a child. Safety policies and risk assessments are implemented effectively to make sure children are kept safe from harm. For example, medication is stored appropriately out of children's reach and the premises are kept secure. Good ratios of staff to children are maintained, so they are well supervised. Robust procedures are in place to help ensure that newly recruited staff are suitable to work with children. Documentation, such as registers and records of parents' contact details, is maintained appropriately. Staff have good links with other professionals. They are proactive in working with local schools to support older children as they prepare to start school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use their experience and training effectively to provide children with an exciting and well-resourced learning environment. They plan stimulating experiences to support children's ideas, interests and next steps in learning. Staff fully engage with children. They provide good explanations and respond to children's interests enthusiastically. They give children the challenge they need to support their learning. For example, staff build on children's growing mathematical knowledge by asking, 'Can you bring three more sticks from the box?' Babies show great interest in exploring objects. They reach and grasp for items using their developing physical skills. Staff help babies to develop good communication and language skills, for example, by talking to them as they play.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

There is excellent support for children's emotional well-being as children move between activities, rooms and on to school. Children develop very strong attachments and build secure friendships. Staff take the time to ensure children feel very safe and secure. For example, they use the message board exceptionally well to talk about changes in routines and special events. They help children understand when to listen to adults or other children. Children are encouraged to work cooperatively together. Staff are extremely good role models and help children learn about how to keep themselves healthy and safe. The environment is clean and well maintained. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise and when they feed the rabbits, they hop like bunnies. They enjoy nutritious, freshly prepared food that meets individual dietary requirements.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children are curious and motived to learn through play. They display high levels of independence, trust and curiosity. Children are encouraged to investigate and have a go and develop their own ideas for doing things. Children's early literacy, physical, social and communication skills are promoted well. Children develop confidence in speaking in a group and their listening skills are promoted as they take turns. They respect other children and adults when they speak. Children are well prepared when they move on to the next stage in their learning within the nursery and when they are ready for the move on to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY415263 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1078321 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 - 11 Total number of places 58 Number of children on roll 204 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Montessori Childcare Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 16 April 2014 Telephone number 01244 332 270

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reference number

Stepping Stones Montessori Childcare Limited was registered in 2010. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2, 3 or 6, including two with qualified teacher status. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. Out-of-school care is provided before and after school and during the school holidays. 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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