Major Steps Childcare

Major Steps Childcare St. Columb Major Children's Centre, Newquay Road, St. Columb Major, Cornwall, TR9 6RW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 9 June 2017 6 May 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 have a good understanding of each child's interest and their stage of development. They use additional funding well to increase their resources and staff's skills, to extend support to children's activities and learning.  Children are happy and have secure relationships with staff. They are very well prepared for their move into the provision for children over the age of three years. Children develop important skills that they need for future learning at pre-school and school.  Staff provide a wide range of educational activities to suit the age and stage of children. Their skilful support successfully helps children to make good progress from their developmental starting points.  Self-evaluation effectively identifies areas for further development and improvement, to the benefit of children.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The management team does not have consistently effective methods of communication with all settings that children attend, to further support children's learning and development.  The management team does not successfully engage all parents well in children's learning and in the assessment process.

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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 more effective systems to share information with all settings that children attend, to increase support to children's learning and development  develop ways to inspire parents' involvement in children's learning and to encourage a greater contribution to the assessment records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the staff and children in their activities.  The inspector held discussions with managers, staff and parents.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector checked records and documentation, including risk assessments, and accident and incident records.  The inspector checked the safety and suitability of the premises and equipment.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The management team has robust vetting and recruitment procedures to check that staff and committee members are suitable to work with children. Safeguarding is effective. Managers and staff have a secure knowledge of child protection procedures that enable them to safeguard children's welfare. They conduct and review risk assessments, taking secure action to address any possible hazards. Managers and staff use training opportunities well to extend their support to children. For example, they have developed their skills in behaviour management and increased their knowledge to better support children's communication and language development. To address the previous recommendation, managers have improved the organisation of activities for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff are skilful in their interactions and use effective teaching methods with children. For example, they make effective use of signing and pictures to help young children communicate and express themselves. Staff work well in partnership with other professionals to support children's individual learning. They engage children well during activities, for instance, at circle time and when playing with dough. Staff model language well and how to use equipment properly during play. They note children's achievements and update their development records, which provide information about children's next steps. Management has a clear overview of the assessment of children's progress and uses this information well to improve outcomes. For example, it checks that staff have a good understanding of the levels of children's development and achievement.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children respond well to staff and show a good understanding of the daily routines and expectations of behaviour. For example, they readily stop, listen and help when staff explain what they want children to do next. Staff work effectively in partnership with parents to follow the individual routines of babies to make sure they feel secure and content. They have a good awareness of children's individual dietary and health needs, which enables them to effectively support children's well-being. Children thoroughly enjoy their frequent outdoor play and physical exercise activities. Staff teach children how to cooperate well in a group situation, such as to share and take turns.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are inquisitive and like to explore their surroundings. They find interesting activities and are keen to join in. For example, toddlers at the water tray show pleasure as they scoop toy animals into nets. Babies watch and copy the older children, such as at song time and in ball games. Children grow in confidence and make good progress in their social and emotional development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 103002 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 1088931 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 25 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Major Steps Childcare Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 6 May 2015 Telephone number 01637 881 328

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reference number

Major Steps Childcare registered in 1996 and is managed by a voluntary committee. It operates from St Columb Major Children's Centre and provides care for children aged from three months to three years. The group opens each weekday from 8am until 6pm, for 50 weeks of the year. There are 13 staff, including the manager and assistant manager. The manager has a childcare qualification at level 6, three staff hold a level 4 qualification and six staff hold a level 3 qualification. The group is in receipt of funding to provide free early years education for children aged two and three years.

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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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