Stepping Stones Childcare and Funzone Ltd

Stepping Stones Childcare and Funzone Ltd Unit 24, Martindale, CANNOCK, Staffordshire, WS11 7XN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 October 2017 Not applicable

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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 manager provides effective support to help staff reflect on their practice and improve their professional skills further. A thorough and effective induction programme is in place for new staff. The manager ensures they understand their responsibilities as well as the policies and procedures.  Children enjoy the many opportunities to practise their physical skills. They eagerly explore the equipment, learn to travel up and down safely and negotiate obstacles.  Staff are skilled in helping children's communication and language development. For example, they use clear language to help babies learn new words and phrases and respond positively to babies' sounds and gestures.  An effective key-person system helps children to develop close bonds with the nurturing staff. Staff gather detailed information from parents which helps them to plan for children's individual needs. Children new to the setting settle quickly. They are happy,

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff do not recognise occasions where children need more time to explore in their own way to develop their thinking skills further.  Staff do not consider how to make the best use of the outdoor provision to support children's learning as fully as possible.

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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

 increase opportunities for children to investigate and test ideas for themselves to enhance their learning even further  extend further the learning opportunities for children who learn best outdoors to help them make even better progress.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed teaching practices and the impact these have on children's learning.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, staff, children and parents.  The inspector read some of the setting's documentation, including the safeguarding policy and procedures.  The inspector looked at a sample of children's development information and records.  The inspector carried out joint observations with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager reviews the provision effectively to improve practice and focuses on improving outcomes for children. Staff work well in partnership with other settings children attend to maintain a continuous approach to their care and learning. The manager and staff monitor children's progress well. They work closely with other professionals to ensure that children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported and helped to close gaps in their development. Staff keep parents well informed of their children's learning and partnerships are strong. Safeguarding is effective. Staff attend safeguarding training and have a good understanding of how to respond to child protection concerns. The manager ensures children are always supervised by well- qualified staff and correct staffing ratios are followed.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff help children to deepen their understanding of the world. Children learn to operate toys, such as those with wind-up mechanisms. Babies are motivated to observe their reflections in mirrors and show an interest in the photographs of people displayed. Children enjoy using their imaginations in kitchen role play and make links with their own experiences. They focus well as they play with farmyard animals and help to build shelters for them. Staff help older children extend their mathematical understanding and literacy skills. For example, children are keen to find keys labelled with letters to open the matching lock and staff encourage them to use their counting skills.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are positive role models and effectively help children to learn the routines and expectations, such as sitting at the table to eat their meals. They learn the importance of good hygiene and wash their hands after handling materials, such as straw, and before mealtimes. Staff encourage children to be independent during everyday routines. For example, babies lift their legs to help with dressing during nappy changing and learn to feed themselves using cutlery. Children enjoy nutritious meals, snacks and drinks, and staff make adjustments to meet children's individual dietary requirements.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children progress well with their communication and language development. Babies are keen to practise new sounds, copy words they hear and use gestures. They communicate their wishes and needs clearly and show a good understanding. For example, babies respond quickly to instructions to hold hands as they line up and travel sensibly around the setting. Children develop good social skills and enjoy the company of both adults and their friends. They show an interest in the activities other children are engaged in and are keen to join them. They gain a secure foundation for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY488801 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 1014400 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 1 - 3 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 5 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Childcare And Funzone Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 01543 571 818

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reference number

Stepping Stones Childcare And Funzone Ltd registered in 2015. The setting employs three members of staff. Of these, one is qualified at level 5 and two at level 3. It operates Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to 6pm, all year except for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. The setting receives funding to provide free 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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