Stepping Stones, Lewes Community Nursery Ltd

Stepping Stones, Lewes Community Nursery Ltd Southcourt House, Morris Road, LEWES, East Sussex, BN7 2AT

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11 April 2018 15 July 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

 The manager supports staff well. There are regular supervisory sessions where they identify training needs. Staff know how to keep children safe.  Staff take the time to get to know the children in their care well. They plan a wide range of appropriate activities and encourage children to be independent. Children are developing confidence in their learning and abilities.  Staff regularly take children to visit their local community to explore and learn more about their world. Children enjoy recalling trips and are proud of the photographs of their visits and learning experiences.  Parents speak highly of the nursery and the wide range of activities that staff provide for their children. Parents have access to regular observations and photographs so they know how their children are progressing.  Staff work closely with parents to understand the individual needs of their children. The staff regularly observe and document children's development in a wide range of ways.

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This provision is good

They clearly identify children's next steps.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Sometimes, opportunities are missed to stretch and challenge the older children further, particularly the older boys who are preparing for the next moves in their learning.

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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

 make full use of every opportunity to prepare older children for their next stage of learning, with particular regard to early writing skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching and learning in all rooms and the impact that this has on children's learning.  The inspector spoke with parents and took account of their views.  The inspector completed two joint observations with the nursery manager, one in the First Steps room and one in the Big Steps room.  The inspector met with the manager to look at a range of documentation, including policies and procedures, staff records, self-evaluation, recruitment and training, and safeguarding procedures.  The inspector talked to children and staff at appropriate times, including looking at children's records and planning.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. All staff have a good understanding of how to protect the children in their care. There are robust systems for staff recruitment, induction and monitoring and staff have a strong understanding of the requirements for their roles. The manager offers opportunities for staff to regularly attend further training to develop their skills and knowledge. For example, staff recently completed 'in the moment' training to further develop their skills in observing children and planning next steps. The leadership team regularly evaluates the practice and environment in the nursery. Improvements have been made to the outdoor area, although this is an ongoing project. Staff complete regular risk assessments and checks of indoor and outdoor areas to ensure the safety of children and staff. Staff use effective systems to monitor children's attendance.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know children well. Staff provide parents with clear assessments of their children's learning and development, including observations, next steps and photographs that document their time at nursery. Children independently explore the well-resourced nursery and select toys and activities for themselves to develop their own learning. Children explore the different activities available and take pleasure in sharing their ideas. For instance, the younger children grew their own cress seeds and learned about why they need water, sun and time to grow. Children enjoy sprinkling seeds and filling watering cans. Older children explore colours through vegetable printing and mixing paint. Staff have high expectations of children. They use their knowledge of each child to plan the next steps in their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff support children's social development well. They skilfully offer children the time and opportunity to do things for themselves. Younger children put on their own aprons and fill watering cans, while older children have opportunities to pour and mix their own paint and serve themselves at mealtimes. Staff regularly praise children and encourage their participation. The key-person system works well and children enjoy sharing their experiences. For instance, older children were excited to share their achievements by bringing in photographs, which they shared in show-and-tell.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress from their starting points as they prepare for the next stage in their learning. Younger children explore their imaginations through a well-resourced role-play area and stories. Older children's communication skills are good and they enjoy exploring ideas. They listen attentively and speak confidently to visitors. For example, they discuss mathematics in the water tray as they test which toys are heavy or light, sink or float.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY459301 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 1131995 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 68 Name of registered person Stepping Stones, Lewes Community Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 July 2015 Telephone number 01273479699

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reference number

Stepping Stones, Lewes Community Nursery registered in 2013. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff, of whom 10 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery is open on Monday to Friday from 8am until 6pm, throughout the year.

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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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