First Steps Nursery

First Steps Nursery Calvary Church, 2 Merebrook Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 8RH

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Inspection date 8 January 2019 Previous inspection date Not applicable

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Not applicable 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 This small and welcoming nursery is led and managed effectively. Managers and staff work very well together. They set high standards and show a strong desire to continually improve. n Staff support parents and work with other professionals exceptionally well to meet the needs of children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. This makes a significant difference in helping children to develop and achieve to their best potential. n Teaching is good. Staff have fun with the children and offer a range of challenging activities that help them to make good progress from their individual starting points. n Staff are warm, caring and affectionate towards children. This helps children to form strong bonds and to feel very comfortable and emotionally secure in their care. n Staff build trusting relationships with parents and carers. They keep them well informed of children's progress and share ideas and activities that help them to

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This provision is good

continue children's learning at home. n Staff have made vast improvements to the outdoor play areas. In particular, the rear garden offers exciting experiences that help to support children's developing imaginations. n Although partnerships with parents are good, staff do not maximise opportunities to fully involve parents in discussions about the use and benefits of additional funding, such as early years pupil premium funding, on children's outcomes.

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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 strengthen procedures to promote greater parental involvement in discussions about the use and benefits of additional funding on children's learning.

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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 spoke to staff and children and completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held discussions with the provider and the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to some parents during the inspection and took account of written feedback from parent questionnaires.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Managers maintain high adult-to-child ratios and make sure that staff are well deployed to supervise children and keep them safe. Staff have a robust understanding of their responsibilities to protect children. They know how to respond swiftly and effectively should any concerns about children or adults be identified. Managers analyse the progress made by individual and groups of children to help to identify and close any emerging gaps. They use feedback from staff, parents and other professionals to help them evaluate and improve the quality of practice. Managers help staff to enhance their skills by providing supervision and ongoing development opportunities. For example, recent training relating to the formation of attachments between staff and children has helped staff to deepen their understanding and has had a positive effect on children's behaviour.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff know children very well and talk confidently about their individual abilities and interests. They accurately assess children's skills and closely monitor their progress. This means they can quickly identify any delays in children's learning and plan any necessary interventions. Staff focus strongly on developing children's communication and language skills. They organise small-group activities based on children's abilities in this area of learning which helps them to tailor their teaching according to children's needs. A range of visual prompts is routinely used to enhance children's understanding. Staff enthusiastically join in with children's imaginative play, for instance, when they pretend to be pirates. They ask meaningful questions that encourage children to share their thoughts and ideas. Children make choices and engage well in the good range of activities on offer.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children are excited to see staff and their friends following the Christmas break. Parents report that they are very impressed with the activities provided and the enthusiastic atmosphere in the nursery. They say, 'Staff go the extra mile to make sure parents and children are happy'. Children's behaviour is good and any minor incidents are managed skilfully and with sensitivity. Staff use every opportunity to promote children's independence. They are very good role models and their positive and consistent messages help children to learn to be kind and considerate to others. Children learn the importance of developing a healthy and active lifestyle. They enjoy outdoor play and they have free access to fresh fruit and water at any time. Staff and children enjoy eating healthy food together and staff help children to develop good social skills.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are very well supported to develop the skills and attitudes to support their future learning. They enthusiastically join in with musical activities that help them to understand different letter sounds and to practise early writing. Children follow routines well and develop good mathematical skills as they play. They learn how to recycle items which helps them to contribute to taking care of the environment.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY540706 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10080049 Type of provision Full day care

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 19 Name of registered person Timms, Jacqueline

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reference number

Date of previous inspection Not applicable Telephone number 07740 475042

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reference number

First Steps Nursery registered in 2016. The nursery employs five members of childcare staff. Of these, four hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 8am until 3.30pm. The nursery 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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