Stepping Stones Private Day Nursery

Stepping Stones Private Day Nursery Wychavon District Council, Civic Centre,Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcs, WR10 1PT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 October 2017 12 December 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

 Staff know the children well and provide a range of experiences to help them learn and make good progress from their starting points.  Staff place a good focus on making learning fun. For example, they creatively use an interesting range of visual aids at story time and during singing sessions to capture children's interest and motivate them to learn.  There are strong systems in place to support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff provide good targeted one-to-one support and work closely with other professionals and parents to help close gaps in children's learning.  Parents are kept involved and up to date about their children's learning, which contributes well in helping children make good progress.  Staff effectively promote children's personal, social and emotional development. Children's emotional well-being is given good priority when they first start at the

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This provision is good

nursery and when they move on to another room. This helps them to settle quickly.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager does not consistently monitor and coach staff to help raise the quality of teaching and use of resources to an exceptional level.  Staff do not meticulously use the information gained from children's assessments to plan highly challenging activities that help children make even better progress.

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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

 place a sharper focus on monitoring and coaching staff to help raise the quality of teaching and use of resources to an exceptional level  make even better use of the information gained from children's assessment to plan highly challenging activities that help children make the best possible progress.

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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 carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the owner and manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  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

Arrangements for safeguarding are effective. There are robust recruitment, vetting and induction procedures in place and staff's ongoing suitably is checked at every supervision meeting. All staff are trained in child protection issues and know the procedure to follow if they have a concern about a child. The manager and owner adopt a reflective approach to their work. They seek children's views through discussion and use feedback from staff and parents to adapt and improve the service offered. Parents report high levels of satisfaction. They are impressed by how well staff know their children and the focus they place on preparing them for school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff carefully observe children to establish their interests and provide activities and experiences which children enjoy. Staff place a clear focus on increasing children's language skills and vocabulary during their interactions. They confidently use group time to increase children's listening and attention skills. For example, staff capture children's imagination through the resources they use. Staff use the seasonal changes as a base to help children learn. For example, during the forest school session, staff encourage children to observe changes in the environment and discuss what they can see. Staff provide outdoor opportunities to enable children to be physical and explore, investigate and be imaginative. Staff teach children about their local community and the needs of others, such as when they visit a residential home for the elderly.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff caring for babies are attentive to their care needs and ensure their individual routines are followed. They are sensitive to the needs of the new children who are settling and entice them gently to try new experiences. Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals which are freshly prepared on the premises. Children increase their independence and enjoy taking on extra responsibility, such as the role of the nominated snack or teatime helper. Staff place a good focus on teaching children that exercise is good for their bodies and promote good oral hygiene well. Children learn about the codes of behaviour and how to keep themselves safe. For example, they learn about the rules in place during swimming lessons and when they use the forest school area.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress and acquire the key skills required in preparation for school. They enjoy using their senses as they explore resources, such as cereals, dried and cooked pasta, jelly and flour mixed with water. Children show an interest in counting, recognising numbers and exploring shape in the environment indoors and outdoors. They make marks using chalk and paint, and the most able children learn to write their names. Children learn the letters of the alphabet and the sounds they make and begin to recognise their names. They learn to be kind and show care and concern for others. Children help to care for the pet fish and African snails.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 205310 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 1103094 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 24 Number of children on roll 30 Name of registered person Emma Elizabeth Dixon

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 12 December 2014 Telephone number 01386 565404

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reference number

Stepping Stones Private Day Nursery registered in 1992. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 51 weeks of the year, from 8am until 6pm. It provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. The nursery employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds Early Years Professional Status and seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3.

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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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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reference number

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our website for news, information and updates at www.ofsted.gov.uk/user.

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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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