Stepping Stones Childcare

Stepping Stones Childcare Unit 14, Westbrook Centre, Westbrook, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 8UG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 March 2017 12 December 2013

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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 manager is knowledgeable and has a very good understanding of her role and responsibilities. Very thorough systems are in place to recruit and induct new staff. Staff are supported extremely well in developing their understanding and implementation of the nursery's policies and procedures.  Staff make very good use of the local environment to extend children's learning. Children regularly visit the local library, shops and an area of forest. They develop an understanding of risk as they participate in local outings. Children have lots of opportunities to learn about the world around them.  Partnerships with other professionals effectively support children's learning and well- being. Staff implement targeted teaching strategies to help children make progress from their starting points.  Children's behaviour is good. The staff are kind and caring and act as good role models. They encourage positive behaviour and use praise effectively to support children's

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This provision is good

confidence and self-esteem.  Parents say staff keep them well informed about what their children are learning. They are invited to meet with their child's key person and also to join in stay-and-play sessions. This contributes to parents' understanding of how to support their child's learning at home.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not always encourage children to continue to develop their home language during play.  While children make good progress, some planned activities do not precisely identify what they need to learn next.

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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

 provide further opportunities to help children retain and develop their home language  identify the precise next steps for each child taking part in planned group activities and promote their learning even further.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's records, planning documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. She looked at a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures and the nursery's improvement plan.  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 staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector had a tour of the premises and held a meeting with the manager and area manager.  The inspector spoke to 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 clear understanding of child protection procedures. They can identify possible causes for concern and know who to report their concerns to. The environment is safe and secure. The manager has implemented thorough procedures for minimising risks to children. Ongoing methods of managing staff performance help the well qualified and experienced team to continue their professional development. The manager regularly provides staff supervision. Her ongoing action plans accurately identify and monitor areas for improvement. She also monitors children's development on a termly basis, comparing the progress of different groups of children. This helps to identify training needs which benefit children's learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use their observations of children's learning to assess their development and monitor their progress. They plan activities based on seasonal and cultural events or on children's interests. Pre-school children enjoy listening to traditional stories. Staff provide additional resources which help children to extend their learning further. For example, they re-enact the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Children visit the woods and create a bridge using branches. Staff help children to problem solve by identifying which branches are long enough to bridge the gap. Children pretend to saw branches. They count them and compare their size. They confidently use measuring tapes and say, 'Look it's bigger'. Toddlers enjoy learning using all of their senses. They sing songs, listen to stories, find animals in soil and experiment with paint.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle in well to this welcoming nursery. Parents comment that the key-person relationships are strong and help children to form good attachments to staff. Children show confident, friendly behaviour towards each other and to visitors. They cooperate with each other without prompting. For example, children work out how to carry large, heavy branches between them. The simple daily routine and consistent approach to activities help children to predict what will happen next. Children help to tidy up and wipe the table before lunch. They know to stay within sight of an owl marker hung on a tree in the woods. They eat healthy packed lunches and are developing a love of physical activity as they negotiate slopes, rollers and slides in the soft-play area.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and show a readiness to start school. Pre-school children confidently talk and express their views and ideas. They listen to instructions and respond positively. Children are learning to become independent. For example, they put on their own shoes and coats and walk sensibly in pairs when they go out for a walk. All children show curiosity and a keenness to explore their surroundings.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 315218 Local authority Warrington Inspection number 1064033 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 1 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 84 Name of registered person Little Acorns Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 December 2013 Telephone number 01925 415531

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reference number

Stepping Stones Childcare was registered in 1992. The nursery employs six members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two at level 6. 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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