Steps Ahead Day Nursery and Nursery School

Steps Ahead Day Nursery and Nursery School Steps Ahead Nursery, Wiltshire Drive, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 0RR

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Inspection date 22 August 2018 Previous inspection date 15 April 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The provider and management team are committed to providing high-quality childcare. They evaluate the strengths of the nursery effectively and are ambitious to improve it continually. For instance, they have worked hard developing the outdoor provision and have plans to improve it further. n Partnerships with parents are a key strength of this setting. Staff provide excellent support for children and their families. For example, they ask all parents a question each week to gain an insight into where parents might need support. n The management team works closely with staff to analyse the progress of individual children and groups. The team uses the information to support children to close any gaps in development swiftly and to improve experiences for all children. n Staff confidently promote older children's literacy skills through enjoyable activities. For example, children delight in taking part in small-group activities. They match rhyming

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Occasionally, staff do not allow children sufficient thinking time to respond to questions or suggestions and extend their problem-solving skills. n At times, staff do not recognise when to offer greater challenge and extend older children's learning to the highest levels.

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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

n allow children more time to think and respond before asking additional questions, to develop their thinking and problem-solving skills n support staff with their interactions with older children to consistently challenge and extend learning to the highest levels.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning indoors and outdoors. n The inspector spoke to the nursery managers, children and staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector spoke with parents and took account of their views. n The inspector met with the management team to look at a range of documentation, including policies, staff records, self-evaluation and recruitment, training and safeguarding procedures. n The inspector completed a joint observation with one of the nursery managers.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the signs of abuse and what steps to take if they have concerns about a child. The management team completes regular supervisory sessions with staff. They review the quality of teaching and identify training needs. Staff evaluate learning from training and implement this into practice. For example, recent training has made staff more aware of how best to support boys in their learning. Staff carry out robust risk assessments to identify and remove the risk of potential hazards to children. Recruitment vetting and the induction of staff are robust. This helps to ensure those working with children are suitable to do so.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified staff team completes regular observations and assessments of children's learning. Staff provide a range of stimulating activities to engage children. They closely match activities to children's interests and curiosity. For example, younger children thoroughly enjoy exploring paint with cars, and babies delight in exploring a sensory activity linked to a traditional story. Staff promote children's mathematical development well throughout the nursery. For instance, younger children count blocks as they build towers, and older children confidently learn to recognise numbers during mark-making activities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff create a welcoming atmosphere for children. They are kind and caring, and develop close bonds with children. Staff give children time and opportunities to explore freely. For example, babies confidently choose whether to play indoors or outdoors. Children have regular opportunities to participate in physical activities. They climb on large wooden steps in the outdoor area and practise balancing on outdoor apparatus. Children behave well. Staff are good role models and sensitively support children to develop an understanding of the rules and routines of the nursery. Children receive healthy nutritious meals. Staff talk with children about their meals, which helps develop their understanding of healthy eating. Staff give support to parents on how to support their children when weaning on to solid food.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good rates of progress. Children of all ages develop wonderful imaginations as they play cooperatively together and begin to introduce storylines into their role play. Children are eager and motivated to learn. Older children start to form recognisable letters, and some children confidently write small words. Children are equipped with the key skills needed for future learning and their eventual move to school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 145881 Local authority Wiltshire Inspection number 10066862 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 100 Number of children on roll 172 Name of registered person Steps Ahead Nursery Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 April 2016 Telephone number 01225 719110

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reference number

Steps Ahead Day Nursery and Nursery School registered in 2000. It is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6.30pm throughout the year, except for bank holidays and one week at Christmas. There are 32 staff members who work directly with the children. Of these, one member of staff holds early years professional status, one holds qualified teacher status, and 28 have relevant qualifications at level 2 to level 5. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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