Stepping Stones Private Day Nursery

Stepping Stones Private Day Nursery 20 Claremount Road, Boothtown, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX3 6JQ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25 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 manager has a strong vision for the setting and is passionate about making a difference in children's lives. She gathers feedback from staff, parents and children to identify what is working well and how the nursery can be improved.  Children behave well. Staff are positive role models and praise children regularly, helping to build high levels of self-esteem.  Staff regularly observe children and monitor their progress. They identify individual next steps and through their teaching, they help children to achieve their goals and catch up where they are at risk of falling behind.  Staff have access to regular training to keep their knowledge, understanding and skills up to date.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently gather precise information from parents about children's ongoing learning at home to help to better complement their learning in the nursery.  The procedures used for monitoring staff's practice are not yet focused fully on raising the quality of teaching to an even higher 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 opportunities for parents to consistently share information in relation to their children's learning at home  focus more precisely on the methods used to evaluate staff's performance and drive the quality of teaching in the nursery to an even higher level.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting and had discussions with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as self-evaluation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.  The inspector spoke to a selection of parents during the inspection and took account of their views.  The inspector engaged in discussions with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff display a secure understanding of child protection. They are trained in safeguarding and thoroughly understand how to keep children safe from harm. Robust recruitment and induction procedures are implemented and ensure that staff are carefully checked and vetted. All staff currently hold a full and relevant qualification in paediatric first aid. This helps them to act promptly and suitably in the event of a medical emergency. The staff team has worked hard to develop good links with other settings children attend. This contributes to the continuity in children's learning and development and a smooth transition to school. Parents are happy with the care and learning their children receive.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The staff team is well qualified. They use their good teaching skills to promote children's development. Children's communication and language development are supported well. Staff engage in constant discussions, introduce new vocabulary and model language during activities. Staff support children's mathematical development well. For example, they support children to count accurately and develop their understanding of more and less. Staff intuitively support babies' early language and physical skills. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well. Staff find out familiar words from their home language to support them in the nursery.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The key-person system is well established. Children form very close emotional attachments with staff. In the baby room, staff provide very high levels of individual care and attention. The indoor and outdoor learning environments are stimulating and provide good opportunities for children to make independent choices in their play. Children enjoy fresh air and physical exercise all year round. They have good opportunities to be physically active and enjoy times to run, climb and explore a wide array of sensory and creative materials outside. Staff encourage children to follow good hygiene practices. Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals prepared by the nursery cook.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those who speak English as an additional language, make good progress from their starting points. Older children develop their early reading and writing skills. They are beginning to recognise letters and give meanings to marks they make. Children develop their physical skills outdoors, they roll large tyres up hills and shriek with excitement as they watch them roll down. Children are developing a positive attitude to learning. They are well equipped with skills they need for future learning and are well prepared to start school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303706 Local authority Calderdale Inspection number 1090575 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 - 8 Total number of places 59 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person David Charles Marsden

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 January 2015 Telephone number 01422 323231

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reference number

Stepping Stones Private Day Nursery was registered in 1995 and is situated in Boothtown, Halifax. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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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

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