One Step Ahead

One Step Ahead Nevendon Playcentre, Nevendon Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0NL

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Inspection date 8 November 2018 Previous inspection date 19 June 2018

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Inadequate 4 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 managers and staff team have taken immediate and effective action since the last inspection and significant improvements have been made to address the weaknesses. The managers and staff have a strong determination and passion to drive further improvement and ensure outcomes for children are good. n Parents are delighted with the pre-school and are keen to share their very positive views. They talk about how much they value the approachable and supportive staff and say they feel very welcome in the caring environment. n Staff consistently praise positive behaviour and gently remind children of the rules of the pre-school. Children behave well and learn how to cooperate and share with others. n Staff communicate regularly with other settings that children attend. This helps to ensure that everyone is knowledgeable about how to support children's ongoing progress.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n Staff do not always meticulously plan for individual children's learning. Information from observations is sometimes not used really effectively to identify specific next steps in children's learning. n Managers do not monitor staff's practice carefully enough and use the information gained to shape and support staff's professional development. n Systems for monitoring information about the progress of different groups of children are still being developed.

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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 make the most of what is known about individual children so specific areas of development can be targeted for really rapid progress n build further on the system for monitoring staff's practice that helps raise the good-quality teaching to outstanding n strengthen the current arrangements for comparing the progress made by different groups of children and checking that all groups receive the support they need, to help them to achieve at the highest possible levels.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the pre-school manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to a few parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. Staff have attended safeguarding training. They have a clear understanding of child protection procedures and how to report any concerns they may have about the welfare of a child. Recruitment and induction procedures are robust. Policies and procedures, including those for administering medication, are in place, understood and effectively implemented. All of the staff team hold a paediatric first-aid qualification. This helps to support children's well-being in the event of an accident. Staff identify and address hazards through risk assessment. The managers and staff team use additional funding well to tailor activities to children's individual needs and interests, and extend their learning further.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff observe children regularly and monitor their progress well. They use this information to provide interesting learning experiences that promotes children's development. Staff support younger children as they learn to take turns with popular resources. Children explore and investigate in the outdoor area. They empty and fill containers with sand and dirt. They enjoy playing imaginatively alongside staff, for example, children enjoy creating imaginary cupcakes in the mud kitchen. Children excitedly explain their ideas clearly, as they engage in interesting conversations. In addition, staff support children's early understanding of mathematics as they encourage them to use number language and compare quantities.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff implement effective key-person and settling-in systems, which enable children to settle into the pre-school at their own pace. Children arrive happily and are eager to explore the activities. Staff are positive role models. They join in children's play, show them how to use equipment and develop their learning by offering ideas. Staff encourage children's independence. For example, they support children to spread butter on their own toast and cut up cucumber and bananas. Additionally, staff encourage conversations about the importance of a healthy diet as they sit and chat with the children at snack time. Children enjoy a wide range of physical activities as they move freely between indoors and outdoors. This helps to improve their physical skills and encourages their good health.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in their learning and development, given their starting points. They are eager and energetic learners who explore their environment and enjoy learning. Children develop the key skills they require in readiness for school. They use resources, such as paint, pencils and crayons, to make their own marks on paper. Children listen with interest during group activities, demonstrating their understanding by responding well to comments and questions asked by the staff.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY236469 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10079682 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 2 - 4 Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person Donna Doyle & Anne Badham Partnership

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 19 June 2018 Telephone number 01268 765675

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reference number

One Step Ahead registered in 2002 and is located in Wickford, Essex. The pre-school employs nine members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at levels 2, 3 or 4. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday during term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm and 12.45pm until 3.45pm. The pre- school provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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.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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reference number

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reference number

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