Stepping Stones Day Nursery

Stepping Stones Day Nursery Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 2LL

p.1

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 5 February 2018 15 September 2017

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

p.1

This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The manager effectively evaluates and checks the provision to help identify areas to develop, to drive improvement. Significant progress has been made and actions raised at the last inspection have been suitably addressed.  Staff give children their full attention and respond to their needs well. Children are independent and confident to speak about their own needs, interests and opinions.  All children make good progress from their individual starting points. Staff work well with external agencies to support children who need additional help to develop further.  The manager monitors staff's practice effectively to help improve outcomes for children. For example, staff attend further training courses to gain more skills in childcare and education practices.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because:

 Although the monitoring of individual children's progress is effective, managers do not use assessment information to measure the progress made by different groups of children across each of the areas of learning.  Although partnership with parents is good overall, staff do not always use different strategies effectively to help parents to support their children's learning at home.

p.1

What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

p.2

What the setting needs to do to improve further

 use information gathered about children's progress to compare any differences in the achievement of different groups of children, to enhance provision to help them make the best possible progress  build on the strategies to help parents to support their children's learning at home, to help in enhancing continuity for the children.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector talked with parents, the provider, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector observed the staff's interactions with children during activities indoors and outdoors and looked at the range of resources and equipment.  The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's details, learning records, insurance and other relevant documentation.  The inspector undertook a joint observation with the provider.  The inspector had discussions with the provider about policies and procedures and methods of assessing and planning for children's progress. The inspector also discussed how staff work with parents and other providers.

p.2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff understand how to identify and refer any concerns about a child's welfare. All staff understand that changes in their circumstances may affect their suitability to work with children and know that these must be reported. Staff are alert to signs that a child may be at risk of extreme views and behaviours. The provider follows rigorous recruitment procedures to ensure all staff have completed robust suitability checks. Staff maintain accurate daily records of children's attendance and follow the nursery's health and safety policies. The manager holds regular supervisory meetings with staff and identifies ways to help support their professional development.

p.3

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know the children well and use effective teaching techniques to support their ongoing learning. Staff promote children's physical development effectively. For example, they encourage young babies to reach out for, touch and begin to hold objects, and to explore toys with their mouth. Babies learn to sit unsupported on the floor and to take a few steps independently. Older children enjoy riding wheeled toys and pushing buggies. They confidently kick a ball, and experiment with different ways of moving. Staff support children's literacy skills well. For instance, children enjoy looking at and listening to their favourite stories. They link sounds to letters and name the letters of the alphabet. They anticipate key events in stories and understand how stories are structured.

p.3

Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff follow effective routines to care for children and support their physical and emotional well-being. For example, children sleep and rest on clean bedding in quiet areas and staff check on them regularly. Staff promote healthy lifestyles effectively and communicate positive messages. For instance, children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks. Children learn about the world around them. For example, children know each individual is unique, and recognise individual differences. Staff teach them about different cultural festivals and encourage children to participate fully in all learning activities. Children take appropriate risks through physically challenging play. For example, they handle and fix large tubes together, jump in different directions and understand how to adjust their speed as they move in the space around them. Children play safely with each other indoors and outdoors.

p.3

Outcomes for children are good

Children are well prepared for their next stage in learning, including their move on to school. Young babies enjoy cuddles and being held. They smile and gaze at staff and form strong attachments to them. Older children initiate conversations and take account of what others say. Children are interested and eager to play and join in, demonstrating friendly behaviour. They form good relationships with each other and with staff.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 118617 Local authority Havering Inspection number 1115862 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 - 4 Total number of places 43 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person Havering College of Further And Higher Education Governing Body

p.4

reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 September 2017 Telephone number 01708 462827

p.4

reference number

Stepping Stones Day Nursery registered in 1991. The nursery is managed by Havering College of Further and Higher Education Governing Body. It operates from a purpose-built unit on the Ardleigh Green campus of Havering College of Further and Higher Education in the London Borough of Havering. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery is open each weekday from 7.45am to 6.15pm, for 51 weeks of the year. The provider employs 15 members of staff, 13 of whom hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 2 or above.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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 .

p.5

reference number

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

p.5

reference number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

p.5