Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school

Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre- school 75-77 Raymond Street, Hanley, STOKE-ON-TRENT ST1 4DP

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Inspection date 13 December 2018 Previous inspection date 15 July 2014

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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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This provision is good

n The well-qualified staff are enthusiastic and play well with children. The pre-school environment is well planned, for example, to help children make choices, select resources, and extend their own learning. n Staff make regular, detailed observations of children's learning and plan targeted next steps to help them to achieve typical milestones in their development. n Staff work closely with families and other professionals to ensure children with emerging concerns receive the support they need. Focused plans are put in place to promote children's individual needs to ensure they continue to make good progress. n Staff have developed strong relationships with parents. Regular conversations between staff and parents help to provide a consistent approach in supporting children's care and learning. n The manager is committed to providing children with high-quality experiences. She regularly reflects on the provision, and takes account of the views of staff, parents and

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This provision is good

children, to identify areas for further development. n The manager has not yet explored a wide range of performance management opportunities that aim to raise the quality of teaching to the very highest levels. n Staff monitor children's individual progress but do not fully track different groups of children or entire cohorts.

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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 explore a wider range of performance management opportunities to help focus more sharply on raising the quality of teaching to a higher level n strengthen the monitoring system for tracking children's progress, to sharpen the identification of gaps in children's learning as a whole group and inform practice.

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

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

All staff have a sound understanding of child protection issues and how to make a referral to local agencies if they are concerned about a child's welfare. Safeguarding is effective. The manager supports her staff through regular supervisory meetings. Parents speak highly of the care their children receive and how well staff support families. They report that they are kept up to date with their child's progress. Staff give the safety and well-being of children high priority. They are vigilant and complete daily checks on the premises, to ensure that all areas used by the children are safe and suitable.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Children arrive confidently. Staff greet children warmly and find out information from parents about children's interests and experiences at home. This helps them to plan activities that motivate children to learn. Staff are consistent in the messages they give and offer regular praise. This helps to raise children's confidence and sense of self- esteem. Children have opportunities to learn about people and communities that are different from themselves. For example, they taste foods from different countries and enjoy a wide range of books celebrating diversity. Children show good levels of engagement in their learning. They are interested in their activities and motivated to learn. For example, they are keen to experiment as they mix ingredients together and watch them fizz, bubble and froth. Opportunities for role play are plentiful.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children form strong bonds with staff. This supports children's emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore their environment. Children behave well and enjoy playing together. Staff provide clear guidance for children about what is acceptable behaviour. The procedure at mealtimes encourages children to make independent choices and to develop their self-help skills. Children serve themselves food and sit with other children. This encourages children to develop their social skills. Children learn how to manage risks, for example, when staff show them how to carefully cut up vegetables to make soup. Children have lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills as they climb, slide, crawl through tunnels, and manoeuvre tricycles around a track.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children make good progress in their development and acquire the key skills they need for their next stage in learning. They are becoming effective learners. They develop their concentration as they learn to listen to staff and follow their instructions. In group times, children listen attentively and join in with stories, songs and rhymes. Children are helpful and enjoy doing things for themselves. They make decisions about what they would like to do and show a desire to continue to develop their knowledge and skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY439671 Local authority Stoke-on-Trent Inspection number 10069807 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 - 5 Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 15

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Name of registered person

Stepping Stones Community Organisation Committee

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 15 July 2014 Telephone number 01782 4999 49

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reference number

Stepping Stones Community Organisation and Pre-school registered in 2012. The pre- school employs four members of childcare staff. Of these, one has qualified teacher status, two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3, and one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 2. The pre-school opens from Monday to Thursday during term-time only from 8.45am until 2.15pm. 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

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

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