Footsteps Nursery & Pre-School

Footsteps Nursery & Pre- School 11 Albany Road, LEIGHTON BUZZARD, Bedfordshire, LU7 1NS

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 7 July 2017 8 April 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 developed highly successful partnerships with other professionals. They carry out integrated reviews for children. These contribute to the progress check for children between the age of two and three years being a concise and accurate record of their learning and development.  The provider leads the nursery well, injecting a sense of fun and enthusiasm for providing good-quality care. The manager is highly competent and well qualified. Staff genuinely enjoy their job and their long service demonstrates their commitment to their work.  Children are eager to talk and share their experiences and ideas. For example, knowing that staff will listen, they gather around and excitedly talk about travelling on aeroplanes and their birthday parties.  Children form very close relationships with staff, who are gentle, caring and attentive towards their needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The current arrangements for the supervision of staff is still ongoing, particularly to fully review their work and identify precise targets for their ongoing professional development.  On occasions, some activities and resources set out for older children lack the same variety, interest and stimulation as those available for the younger children.

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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 arrangements for supervising staff's work, so there is an even greater focus on the programme for their ongoing professional development  extend on the good quality of resources and activities, in particular, so older children consistently experience the highest levels of challenge, interest and excitement in their learning.

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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 held a meeting with the manager and the provider. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector read through written feedback left by parents. She spoke to a small number of parents, taking account of their views.  The inspector spent time talking to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with a member of staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Arrangements for safeguarding children are effective. Staff understand their role to follow the guidance of their Local Safeguarding Children Board. They attend regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. Staff recognise the signs and symptoms that children may be at risk of harm and know the correct procedures for passing on such concerns. Parents praise the staff and comment that they offer their children an environment where they feel relaxed and at home. Parents contribute towards their children's learning. Staff value this information and use it to help them to assess their progress. All recommendations raised at the previous inspection have been successfully addressed by staff.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff use their knowledge of young children's home experiences to enhance their learning. For example, when babies show an interest in a toy dog, they repeat the word and make a 'woof' sound. To extend their interest, staff show children photographs of their pet dog. Children become excited when they see their pet. Young children are highly animated, for instance, as they recognise characters from their favourite book. They recount the story and say what character they like best. Staff place high emphasis on helping children to get ready for starting school. There is extensive support for children and their families, such as open evenings, teacher visits and a real focus to help them to learn the skills they need. Staff accurately assess and track children's learning and development.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff use praise as a means to support children's good behaviour. They are confident in using techniques, such as putting pebbles in a jar to reward good behaviour and support children's understanding. Staff make good use of the garden, such as to provide children with a place to play and explore the natural world. For example, children care for the nursery rabbits and learn about the vegetables that they grow. Children strengthen their physical skills, such as when using climbing equipment. They learn about being active and healthy. Staff teach children about keeping themselves safe, such as when playing outside in the sun.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children, including those for who the nursery receives funding, make good progress in their learning and development. They demonstrate high levels of personal, social and emotional development. Children are confident and expressive with a strong sense of their own identity and curiosity about others. Older children learn about counting and solve simple mathematical problems, such as subtracting numbers from 10 as they remove a toy.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY394420 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1093911 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 - 5 Total number of places 52 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person Footsteps Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 8 April 2015 Telephone number 01525 375 679

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reference number

Footsteps Nursery & Pre-School registered in 2009 and is located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including the manager who is qualified at degree level. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery 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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