Child 1st Day Nursery

Stepping Stones (Broom) Ltd 41 Broom Street, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST1 2EW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 May 2017 27 February 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

 Staff work closely with parents to find out about their children's care needs and their level of development when they first start. Parents report they are impressed by the new electronic system introduced, which makes the sharing of ongoing information easier for them.  Staff provide an exciting and challenging environment indoors and outdoors. They place a good focus on increasing children's communication and language during their interactions. Children make good progress from their starting points.  Staff place a strong focus on helping children develop a sense of belonging and encourage children to talk about how they are feeling.  The manager and staff know the children and their circumstances well. They work closely with other professionals involved with the children to promote their welfare and education.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff performance management systems are not highly effective in monitoring staff practice and the use of assessment, to raise the quality of teaching to an exceptional level.  Staff do not always identify quickly enough those children who need further encouragement to get involved in the activities available to help them make the very best possible progress.

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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

 develop highly effective performance management systems to help raise the quality of teaching and the use of assessment to an exceptional level  focus more precisely on those children who need further encouragement to get involved in the activities available to help them make the very best possible progress.

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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 and deputy. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke to a number of 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. There are robust vetting procedures in place to ensure all staff are suitable to work with children. Safeguarding is given high priority. All staff have a good knowledge of the procedures to follow if they are concerned about a child's safety and welfare. The manager regularly assesses staff's knowledge on child protection issues to ensure they are up to date with any recent changes. The manager has an accurate overview of the service provided and uses feedback from parents and staff to help her further identify areas for development.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use the outdoor areas well, such as the forest garden, to engage children in learning. For example, staff skilfully introduce mathematical concepts. They encourage children to use sticks to create sound and to explore the natural environment. Staff place a strong focus on encouraging children to speak about what they are doing and show a genuine interest in what children say. Staff make good use of visual aids to capture the children's interests in singing sessions and children are keen to take part. Staff quickly identify gaps in children's learning and are proactive in supporting those children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff caring for babies use detailed care plans to record their specific care needs and to help them ensure parents' wishes are met. This helps staff meet the children's individual needs, such as how they prefer to be settled for sleep and the consistency of the food they eat. Staff place a good focus on ensuring the areas used by children are clean. Children, including babies, are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and snacks. Staff caring for the older children teach them about living a healthy lifestyle. For example, pre-school children learn about healthy foods, oral hygiene and the importance of exercise. Children learn about the role of the emergency services and how to keep safe at nursery and when out and about.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including children receiving additional funding, make good progress from their starting points. Children who speak English as an additional language catch up quickly due to the targeted support they receive. Children are confident and the older children become increasingly independent. For example, they use tongs to serve their own fruit at snack time. Children enjoy linking letters and sounds during the phonics session and show an interest in counting during activities. The most able children learn to write their names and all children are well prepared for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY396797 Local authority Stoke on Trent Inspection number 1093977 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 119 Number of children on roll 153 Name of registered person Stepping Stones (Broom) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 27 February 2015 Telephone number 01782 283828

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reference number

Stepping Stones (Broom) Ltd registered in 2009. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery employs 20 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold an early years qualification at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 5, 14 hold a qualification at level 3 and two hold a qualification at level 2.

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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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