Next Steps Childcare Centre

Next Steps Childcare Centre The Royal Bath & West Showground, SHEPTON MALLET, Somerset, BA4 6QL

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30 May 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 Outstanding 1

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This provision is good

 Managers are committed to continually enhancing the provision. They work effectively with staff to evaluate their practice and set clear targets for improvement.  Key persons use accurate observations and assessments to clearly identify the next steps in children's learning and build on what they already know. Children make good progress in their learning and development, and in readiness for school.  Staff are exceptionally caring and dedicated to providing the very best for children. They know children extremely well. Settling-in processes are highly sensitive and very responsive to the specific needs of children and their families. Babies and children develop a real sense of belonging.  Partnerships with parents and other professionals are very good and ensure staff fully meet children's individual needs. Staff actively listen to children and parents. They value their views and act on what they say. Daily chats with parents, frequent

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This provision is good

messages and the regular sharing of assessments of children's learning mean that parents are exceptionally well informed.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not focus precisely on all of the available learning opportunities during some adult-led activities, so that they support children's learning to the highest level.  Staff do not consistently minimise distractions for the two- to three-year-old children, to ensure they fully engage and concentrate in activities.

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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

 focus more precisely on all available learning opportunities within adult-led activities  help children in the two to three years age group to engage fully during adult-led activities, to help them concentrate and focus more.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in all of the play rooms and in both outside learning environments, and conducted a joint observation with the education manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the managers and provider of the provision. She spoke to staff and children throughout the inspection when appropriate.  The inspector looked at children's assessment and planning documentation, the setting's risk assessment and safety records.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of staff working within the setting, the provider's evidence of self-evaluation and a range of other documentation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and by reading a number of comments on questionnaires and letters.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Managers implement an effective staff recruitment process, thorough inductions, regular in-depth supervisory sessions, and monitor teaching and children's progress effectively. They support staff well to increase their skills, focusing effectively on training and professional development. Staff share their new knowledge with the team to support good outcomes for children, such as ways to further assess and develop children's communication. Safeguarding is effective. The managers and staff implement robust procedures and risk assessments efficiently to ensure children receive very good care and are safe.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Babies receive good staff support and delight in practising new skills, for instance, during a sensory activity. Their focus and confidence grow under good staff reassurance. They drizzle a cornflour and water mix, and grab fresh herbs, marvelling at textures, tastes and smells. Staff ask probing questions to encourage children's language and thinking. For instance, young children enjoy studying their reflection in a mirror. They talk about their facial features, colours and count with confidence. Older children share photographs from home. They discuss similarities between themselves and their family. They listen to what others say and develop their confidence and conversation skills very effectively.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

Behaviour is exemplary throughout the centre. Older children spontaneously take turns or invite others into their play. They form close friendships and learn very useful social skills. Children relish the opportunity to develop their independence, such as putting on their outdoor clothing. Close supervision and minimal support from staff means that young children develop remarkable self-help skills. Staff give lots of praise, which sustains children's sense of achievement significantly. Excellent use is made of all areas of the centre and garden to present exciting and inviting spaces. Babies eagerly investigate, relishing the low-level activities they encounter. Older children enthusiastically develop their physical skills, a love of nature and an understanding of the world around them.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children's literacy skills develop well. For example, they readily explore books and eagerly snuggle in with staff to enjoy a story. They practise making marks with writing materials indoors and outdoors. Older children show very good knowledge of letters and the sounds they represent. For example, they recognise their name in print, sound out and sign their initial letter. All children are interested and motivated to learn and explore, and gain the key skills they need to start school successfully. Children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, those who learn English as an additional language and those that receive additional funding have good opportunities to reach their potential.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY263811 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 1091731 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 - 4 Total number of places 46 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Next Steps Childcare Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 January 2015 Telephone number 01749 346 808

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reference number

Next Steps Childcare Centre operates near Shepton Mallet, Somerset. It registered in 2003. The centre employs 10 members of childcare staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 3 to level 6, including one with early years professional status. The centre opens Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The centre 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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