Stepping Stones Day Nursery

Little Acorns Nursery 135 Wood Lane, Rothwell, Leeds, LS26 0ph

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 December 2017 29 August 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 newly appointed manager is ambitious and enthusiastic. She has high expectations and has swiftly reviewed the quality of the nursery to help support children's outcomes. She has quickly identified ways in which the nursery can improve further and has clear plans in place.  The quality of teaching is good, overall. Staff use their qualifications well to plan activities that help children to make good progress in their learning.  Relationships throughout the nursery are strong. Children are confident, motivated learners who enjoy the time they spend there, building friendships with their peers and the staff team.  Children's assessment information is reviewed well by the manager. This is used to identify where children may require additional help from external agencies, if appropriate, to help narrow any gaps in their learning.  Children's independence skills are fostered well. Routine activities are provided

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This provision is good

throughout the day and children enjoy doing things for themselves.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Some activities provided for children from the age of 18 months are not precisely focused on their stage of development and level of understanding.

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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

 support staff working with children aged from 18 months to provide activities that are finely tuned to their age and stage of development.

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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 spoke with staff and children during the inspection.  The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and area manager of the nursery. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.  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. There is a comprehensive understanding among the staff team of child protection issues and how to keep children safe. Guidance from the manager and wider leadership team ensures staff knowledge is continually updated. Incidents and accidents are managed well. Staff are vigilant. They supervise children well and quickly respond to any event that may occur. Parents are informed immediately of any incident. Parents spoken to during inspection confirm this procedure. The manager maintains an overview of the deployment of staff to ensure ratios are met at all times. Additional staff are available, should additional cover be required at the beginning or end of the day. Staff are supported well by the manager. Opportunities, such as training and supervisory meetings, help them to reflect on and improve their practice.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff provide good levels of support for babies. They support and encourage the youngest children as they begin to take their first steps and begin to walk independently. Early communication skills are promoted well. For example, when children explore Christmas resources with their hands, staff make comments, such as, 'You have two baubles in your hands'. Older children are supported well to develop their mathematical skills. Staff make good use of activities in areas, such as the outdoor environment to help children to name shapes. Parents take an active part in their children's learning. Staff encourage them to share what children have been learning at home. For example, staff in the baby room ask parents to share what words children use at home. This information is used well to promote children's language skills further.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are attentive and respond well to children's emotional and physical needs. They support children if they become tired during the day, providing cuddles and suitable areas where they can rest and sleep. Hygiene procedures are good and support children's physical health. Routines activities, such as nappy changing, are effective and staff maintain high standards throughout. Children's behaviour is good. Staff help them to develop an awareness of boundaries in the nursery. They provide gentle reminders for children throughout the day. For example, older children are reminded to be careful when they decide to move chairs and place them in a row at the painting easel.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their learning and develop skills, such as early writing which supports their readiness for school. Older children write their name on paintings they have made, using clearly identifiable letters. They talk confidently with each other and share their thoughts and feelings. Very young children show an interest in making marks using chalks on the floor and enjoy looking at pictures in books with their key person.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY403285 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 1119618 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 43 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person Little Acorns Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 29 August 2014 Telephone number 01132 822038

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reference number

Little Acorns Nursery registered in 2009. The nursery employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or higher, including one with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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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