Early Steps Pre-School

Early Steps Pre - School South Beach Residents Assoiation, Fulmar Drive, BLYTH, Northumberland, NE24 3RJ

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 June 2017 21 January 2014

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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 staff observe children at play and check the progress they make. This helps them to identify any areas of development where children may need additional support. They use the knowledge they have learned through gaining qualifications very well, in order to help children make continued progress.  Staff members actively encourage parents to contribute about children's achievements at home to help them develop a wider view of children's development. Partnership working with local schools and other professionals is well established, helping to ensure continuity in children's care and education.  The staff understand the importance of obtaining information about children's interests, medical background and dietary requirements. They regularly discuss and evaluate the care provided to children and the activities offered.  Staff support children to try new things and provide lots of meaningful praise. Staff are

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This provision is good

good role models to the children and the relationship between staff and children is warm and caring. This helps to build children's confidence and self-esteem.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff sometimes miss opportunities to support children to develop their understanding of the benefits of healthy diets.  Staff do not always recognise when to use their skills to intervene to extend children's learning and enjoyment during 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

 offer more-consistent support to children to help them to learn about the benefits of a healthy diet  support staff to recognise when to intervene to extend children's interest and enjoyment of activities to develop their learning as fully as possible.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the activities indoors and outdoors and the interactions between staff and children.  The inspector talked to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the club.  The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and are fully aware of procedures to follow to help protect children's welfare. Robust recruitment procedures ensure adults are suitable to work with children. Supervision meetings are used well to discuss and review staff's ongoing suitability. The pre-school builds strong relationships with parents and the arrangements for key persons work well. This helps to ensure parents have information about their child's continued development. Parents are very complimentary about the care and teaching provided. Self-evaluation is used effectively and previous recommendations have been met. For example, children make continued progress in their independence skills as they help to prepare and serve the snacks. Very good arrangements are in place with teaching staff in local schools to share information about the children. This helps children to maintain a good level of

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

continuity in their learning as they move on to school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The manager and staff are enthusiastic and ambitious. Children access a broad range of resources that is interesting and age-appropriate. They play an active part in their own planning. For example, staff involve them in discussions regarding the arrangements for the session. Overall, staff know how to interact positively with children and encourage them to talk about their experiences in detail. For example, children confidently discuss the recent visit by a police officer and explain how to cross the road safely. Staff use skilful questioning and listen perceptively to children. The use of sign language to communicate and engage with the children helps to sustain their interest and supports their continued learning. Children have lovely opportunities to express their imagination and thoroughly enjoy acting out stories. Children learn mathematical concepts well. For example, they correctly order shape and size and confidently count aloud.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children settle very well into this warm and friendly pre-school. Staff are good at making children feel welcome. They show a genuine interest in them and praise them for their achievements. This helps to ensure children's emotional well-being. Children's behaviour is good and they know what is expected of them. For example, they state they should have 'kind hands' and be nice to their friends. Staff encourage children to listen, to be polite and to play collaboratively. Children know and learn about keeping themselves safe. They explain how they should leave through the door if they hear the fire bell. Staff make good use of the outdoor environment. They plan daily outdoor opportunities that help to ensure children are physically active in the fresh air.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children gain the skills they need for moving on to future learning. They are confident to talk and share experiences and are becoming independent as they manage their own personal needs. Children learn to respect and celebrate each other's differences and engage in activities which helps them learn about the wider world.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 301827 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 1087742 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 3 - 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 75 Name of registered person South Beach Residents Association Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 21 January 2014 Telephone number 01670 367971

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reference number

Early Steps Pre-School registered in 1993 and operates from South Beach Community Centre in Blyth. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8.45am until 11.45am and from 12.30pm until 3.30pm. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three and four 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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