First Steps Day Nursery

First Steps Day Nursery 44 Compton Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5QT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13 February 2017 11 February 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

 Leaders have developed effective systems to support the well-qualified staff. For example, staff have regular supervision and team meetings. Leaders closely observe and monitor staff's teaching practice, making sure they support children's needs well.  Staff use effective systems to observe, plan and assess children's progress to build on their knowledge. Leaders monitor these systems successfully to enable consistent practices throughout the setting.  Leaders use funding effectively to provide a stimulating play environment and challenging activities that enhance children's learning experiences. Children make good progress in their learning from their starting points.  Staff support children to understand about fairness, how to take turns, share and be kind. Children behave well and have positive relationships with each other. Younger children are very considerate of their friends' needs, such as passing them aprons they

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Leaders and staff do not recognise some opportunities to extend older children’s mathematical skills to the highest levels.  Staff do not consistently offer babies and younger children opportunities to explore some activities at their own pace and make choices in their play.

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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

 make more consistent use of opportunities to support and extend children's mathematical learning to the highest possible level  offer more support for staff to allow babies and younger children opportunities to explore activities at their own pace.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities and the quality of teaching throughout the setting.  The inspector held discussions with the leaders and spoke with children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at a sample of documentation, including staff suitability checks, self-evaluation documents, observations, assessments, planning records, and documentation linked to checking children's progress.  The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation of staff practice and discussed this with the deputy manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Leaders ensure staff attend regular safeguarding training and have a good understanding of child protection issues. Staff follow thorough risk assessment procedures and ensure all areas of the nursery are safe and secure. Recruitment and induction procedures are rigorous to help ensure the ongoing suitability of staff. Leaders support staff effectively to update their knowledge and skills. This has a clear impact on children's learning outcomes. For example, leaders have used ideas from staff research to develop effective systems for planning for children's learning. Staff ensure planning includes children's up-to-date interests. Close links between staff, other professionals and local schools provide continuity for children's care and learning.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff work with parents effectively to find out about children's individual needs and interests from home to provide activities and experiences that children enjoy. Staff skilfully support children's learning. They help younger children to develop a good understanding of mathematical language. For example, when children experiment rolling objects down tubes, they learn about concepts such as 'top' and 'bottom' in their play. Staff plan interesting activities to develop children's listening skills. For example, children hunt for hidden boxes containing a variety of interesting objects and materials for them to shake, listen to and make predictions of what could be inside each box.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff support babies and children to begin to understand about similarities and differences between themselves and others. For example, staff work in partnerships with parents to create displays where parents celebrate the unique qualities of their children. Children enjoy being helpful and develop good independence skills, such as working with staff to prepare fruit for snack time. Children learn about belonging to a community. For example, children visit local markets and shops and take part in fundraising events to support local charities. Children enjoy energetic play each day, indoors and outdoors.

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Outcomes for children are good

Babies are inquisitive learners. They closely observe what adults are doing and copy their actions in their play. All children develop good independence skills and try to do things themselves. For example, young children competently serve themselves at mealtimes. Children are confident, motivated learners who concentrate and listen attentively to staff during adult-led activities. They are competent communicators who confidently ask questions. For example, children were keen to discuss why humans and most animals cannot fly. Children develop effective skills to prepare them well for the next stage in their learning, and their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142796 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1061468 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 60 Number of children on roll 120 Name of registered person First Steps Childcare Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 11 February 2013 Telephone number 01749 346733

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reference number

First Steps Day Nursery is privately owned. It registered in 1993. It is located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery is open weekdays from 8am to 6pm, all year round, except public holidays. There are 19 members of staff who work with the children. Of these, two hold early years professional status, four hold an early years qualification at level 6, two hold a qualification at level 5, three is qualified to level 4, and a further 11 staff hold qualifications at level 3.

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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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