First Steps Pre-School

First Steps Pre-School The Manor Youth Centre, Hanover Way, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 5NW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16 January 2018 1 June 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 know children very well. They use assessments and children's interests to plan for what they need to learn next. Children, including those that receive additional funding, make good progress from their starting points.  Staff regularly keep parents and carers informed about what their children are learning. They provide them with ideas and suggestions about how they can continue to support their children at home. Parents and carers speak very highly of the pre-school.  Children consistently show good manners and positive behaviour. Staff are good role models and embed the concept of sharing into daily activities.  The manager and staff seek the views of parents and children, and evaluate the effectiveness of the pre-school well. Recent changes have increased opportunities to extend children's learning outdoors.  Staff work well with other professionals to support children who have special

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This provision is good

educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. They produce tailored learning plans to support children's individual needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The manager does not precisely monitor the progress that specific groups of children make in their learning, to help raise children's outcomes even further.  Staff do not consistently challenge older children to think and problem solve for themselves.

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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

 compare the progress made by different groups of children to help identify any variations and further strengthen their progress and achievement  enhance staff skills to provide even more challenge for older children to encourage them to think and problem solve for themselves.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day.  The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact on children's learning.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector held discussions with the manager, children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at various documents, including policies and procedures, risk assessments, staff training records, records for children and evidence of the suitability of staff.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager and staff are clear about their role to keep children safe. They talk confidently about where they will report any concerns regarding children's welfare. Induction and recruitment procedures are effective and ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. The manager regularly monitors staff practice and meets with them frequently to offer guidance and support to help develop their skills and knowledge. For example, staff have attended training that helps them support children's speech and language development. The manager uses additional funding for children effectively. She monitors children's learning to identify and swiftly close any emerging gaps and support their individual good progress.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff place a strong focus on promoting communication and language development. They follow children's interests and enhance children's speaking skills. Staff overall support children's mathematical development. For example, younger children count the dots on a dice and show an understanding of numbers. They look through magnifying glasses and explore differences in size. Children show a good knowledge of the world, for example, they show care and consideration, and eagerly feed the resident guinea pigs. Children show good imaginative skills. For example, during outdoor play they collect a range of natural resources with which to make spaghetti.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children enjoy their time in pre-school. They build strong bonds with their key person and have kind and caring attitudes towards their friends. Staff give a high priority to settling-in processes and work closely with parents and carers to meet each child's care and learning needs. Children explore their local community and learn how to adapt to different social situations. For example, they enjoy regular visits to see the elderly in the care home. Staff help children learn how to lead heathy lifestyles. For example, children enjoy healthy snacks. They enjoy being physically active and spend long periods outdoors appreciating fresh air and exercise.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are eager to learn and remain focused in activities of their choosing. They are confident and show growing independence. For example, they put on their coats ready for outdoor play and tidy away their toys. Children learn all of the important skills that help to prepare them well for the next stage of their education. Younger children enjoy snuggling up to staff as they read stories. Older children learn letter sounds. They learn to identify letters and to write their name.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 108441 Local authority Windsor & Maidenhead Inspection number 1089024 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 45 Name of registered person First Steps Windsor Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 1 June 2015 Telephone number 01753 206800

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reference number

First Steps Pre-School registered in 1999. It operates from the community centre in Dedworth, Windsor. The pre-school is open from 9am until 3.30pm on Monday to Friday. It is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The manager holds a foundation degree in early years. Of the remaining staff, four hold relevant qualifications from level 2 to level 5.

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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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