Stepping Stones Day Nursery

Stepping Stones Day Nursery 13 Plato Rd, Brixton, London, SW2 5UP

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28 February 2018 26 August 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 plan a wide variety of stimulating activities linked to children's interests and the areas of learning. They help to ensure children are suitably challenged by using information from regular observations effectively. Children make good progress.  The manager monitors the nursery successfully. She spends time in group rooms checking planning and assessment folders and observing staff to provide them with ways to improve their practice.  The manager has a good insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the nursery and has set relevant goals to build ongoing improvement.  Staff manage children's behaviour successfully. They share group rules with children and are calm and fair in their approach.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Staff do not consistently explore ways for children to learn early mathematical skills more fully, such as the use of mathematical vocabulary to describe weight and size, sorting and grouping.  Staff do not consistently teach children the value of their healthy routines, such as taking daily physical exercise and eating well.

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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

 develop children's understanding of early mathematics more fully  increase children's understanding of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and further support their personal development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager.  The inspector observed the interaction between staff and children indoors and outdoors and spoke with children when appropriate.  The inspector tracked the progress of several children.  The inspector looked at some documentation and held a discussion with the manager.  The inspector spoke to parents and staff, and considered their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Staff have effective partnerships with parents. They give parents regular updates on their children's progress. Staff keep a close check on children's progress to identify and provide support to children falling behind in their learning. Safeguarding is effective. Staff know the procedures to follow should they have concerns about a child's welfare. Children are kept safe. For instance, there is closed-circuit television in all group rooms and at the entrance to protect children from harm. The manager carries out thorough background checks on staff prior to employment. Staff are supported well by regular one-to-one meetings with the manager who offers training and support. For example, staff attended a course on outdoor learning which led to more effective teaching in this area.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff teach children good early literacy skills. For instance, they provide a range of writing tools and materials which children use to practise writing their names. Staff read stories to children and question them effectively to support their understanding of story structure. They provide good ways for children to develop their creativity. For example, children explore the texture of play dough and create their own models using their imagination and skills. Staff teach children words to describe the texture to support their language development. Children enjoy practising their climbing and balancing skills in the well- equipped outdoor area. They have good opportunities to develop their physical coordination skills, such as throwing and catching. Staff teach children about the natural world well, for instance, by planting and growing vegetables.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff have very caring and nurturing relationships with children. They interact very positively with children, smiling and talking to them in warm, gentle tones. Staff know children well and value them highly as individuals. Staff take time to find out about babies' care routines to ensure they settle well. They find out about children's likes and dislikes to provide activities that they enjoy greatly. Staff teach children to act with care and caution when appropriate. For instance, they hold onto the handrail and walk sensibly along the stairs. Children gain good independence skills. For example, they put on their hats, mittens and coats themselves and serve meals independently at lunchtime.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are motivated to learn and confident. They learn to respect themselves and each other. For instance, they learn about special cultural festivals. Children learn to share and take turns, for example, as they play group games outdoors. They use technology well and can operate simple computer programs independently. Children learn valuable skills to support their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY400334 Local authority Lambeth Inspection number 1121177 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 25 Name of registered person Quinary Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 26 August 2015 Telephone number 02073267246

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reference number

Stepping Stones Day Nursery registered in 2009. It is located in Brixton in the London Borough of Lambeth. The nursery is open on each weekday from 7.30am until 6.30pm all year round, except on bank holidays. There are eight staff, including the manager, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. Of these, the manager holds early years professional status, five staff hold a level 3 qualification and two staff hold a level 2 qualification. The nursery receives funding to provide free early years education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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

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