First Steps Nursery Collegiate Academy Trust

First Steps Nursery Collegiate Academy Trust Shireland Collegiate Academy, Waterloo Road, SMETHWICK, West Midlands, B66 4ND

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 6 April 2017 8 January 2015

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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 quality of teaching is good. Staff provide a wide range of activities that interests and challenges children. Staff plan activities based on their astute observations of children's play. Children make good progress from their starting points.  The new manager provides strong leadership. The well-qualified staff work effectively as a team to identify and address improvements. Leaders monitor staff practice well and ensure that all staff maintain continuous professional development.  Staff obtain detailed information from parents about their children's care needs. Staff ensure children are settled and happy and that their needs are met. High priority is placed on children's well-being. Children really enjoy attending nursery and develop close bonds with their key person in the homely environment.  Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff guide them in support of their children's learning at home and exchange information about their achievements.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not use the information gathered about the progress made by different groups of children as effectively as possible, in order to identify and close any gaps in learning even more promptly.  Staff do not make full use of opportunities for children to explore the natural world, particularly for those who prefer to learn outdoors.

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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

 use precise information gathered about children's progress to focus more sharply on ways to narrow any emerging gaps in learning to improve outcomes for children  provide further opportunities for children to explore and experiment in the natural world, particularly for those children who prefer to learn outdoors.

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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 staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager, the deputy manager, the finance director and the academy principal. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke with several parents during the inspection and considered their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The new manager has made several improvements to the nursery environment since the last inspection. Older children now have more space to play indoors and they access the outdoor area more easily. They have a wider choice of activities and resources, such as in each room. Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a good understanding of what would constitute a safeguarding matter and are very well supported by the leaders to deal with any concerning issues. Staff supervise children vigilantly and ensure that documentation relating to accidents and medication is accurately maintained. Staff work very effectively with other professionals to help improve outcomes for all children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff support children well as they play. They listen to them and encourage conversation, such as to enhance their language and communication skills. For example, some activities are specifically planned by staff to help extend individual children's vocabulary. Children are asked to describe the feel of the dough they make. They say it is 'sticky', or like 'porridge'. Children respond well to staff's questions about how the consistency of the dough changes as they add more flour or water. Staff make good use of opportunities to interact meaningfully with babies. They notice and understand the different ways in which babies communicate, so that they can respond appropriately.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children's behaviour is good. Staff set clear guidelines and help younger children to learn how to share and take turns. Children enjoy nutritious meals and healthy snacks. They learn about the importance of practising good hygiene. Staff encourage children's independence. For instance, older children help to set the tables and scrape their plates at the end of meals. Staff prepare children well for their move to a new room in nursery and for school. They involve parents in this process and ensure that children feel emotionally secure. Children gain confidence and good self-esteem. Staff praise them when they use new words or when they think of a good idea. For example, children decide to add green paint to the dough they make to see if the two substances will mix.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop their social skills well. They enjoy interacting with each other and staff at mealtimes. Children develop a range of necessary skills that prepares them well for the next stage in their learning. Older children learn to recognise their written names and to recognise sounds. They practise early reading and writing skills and begin to understand mathematical concepts. They use words, such as full, empty, big and small when they fill pots with compost. Children are interested and engaged in all their play and learning. They love to look at books and listen attentively to stories.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY280454 Local authority Sandwell Inspection number 1091903 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Collegiate Academy Trust

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 January 2015 Telephone number 0121 558 8086

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reference number

First Steps Nursery Collegiate Academy Trust registered in 2004. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 to level 6. The deputy manager has achieved early years teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.45pm. 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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