Tiny Steps Pre-School

Tiny Steps Pre-School St. Martins Lane, Murdishaw, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 6HZ

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Inspection date 17 January 2019 Previous inspection date 5 December 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 Leaders are highly committed and passionate about providing high-quality early years experiences for all children. They have an in-depth understanding of the needs of children and families within the community. Leaders have embed effective systems to inform continuous improvement within the pre-school. n Leaders place a strong emphasis on working in partnership with the host school and other agencies working within the community. The manager and staff receive support from the headteacher to evaluate practice. This enables the pre-school to deliver good- quality childcare and improve outcomes for children. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported very well by qualified staff and external agencies. Children with SEND and children for whom the pre-school is in receipt of additional funding achieve well. n Staffs' partnerships with parents are very good. Staff update parents with all aspects of

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This provision is good

children's care and learning. They provide activity ideas for parents to continue to support children's learning at home. n Children show good levels of perseverance and imagination as they explore activities together. They have fun and work together during activities outdoors and relish opportunities to explore in the mud kitchen. n Occasionally, staff do not adapt their teaching to encourage quieter children to participate fully during group activities.

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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 focus more precisely on engaging and involving all children at group times.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Leaders and staff share a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child's welfare or development. Staff attend regular training to help to keep their knowledge up to date on all aspects of child protection and safeguarding issues. The manager is committed to developing the skills of the staff team through coaching and detailed training. She regularly monitors staff teaching with observations and she works directly with children and staff in the pre- school. This ongoing coaching supports staff and promotes consistently good-quality teaching. The manager regularly reviews the provision and takes on board the views and opinions of children and parents. They use robust systems to monitor children's attendance. Leaders routinely track the progress of individuals and groups of children to identify gaps in learning and plan targeted support and interventions in a timely manner.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff work with parents to gather information about children's interests and what they can already do when they start at the setting. Staff use effective systems to support ongoing partnerships with parents, who report that they are well informed about their child's development. Staff maximise opportunities to promote mathematical skills. For instance, they encourage children to use numbers and counting as they play and help them to consider 'more than' and 'less than'. Children develop a keen interest in and an enjoyment of books. Children delight as they choose books to take home from the pre- school library.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children arrive happy and eager to learn. They benefit from an effective key-person system. Staff know the children well and provide stimulating environments that help children to settle quickly into play. Children have regular fresh air and are keen to develop their physical skills. For instance, they relish opportunities to ride bikes and scoot around the beautiful outdoor space. Children are curious about new people and keen to learn. They develop a strong understanding of their wider community. For instance, they benefit from regular trips within the community and relish opportunities to explore the woodland area for planned activities. Children demonstrate that they feel happy and secure in the environment as they explore, whilst staff provide a narrative to support and extend their learning.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children have a positive attitude towards learning and make good progress from their starting points. Children quickly learn good hygiene practices and they are encouraged to consider the benefits of eating healthy food. For example, children know to wash their hands in preparation for their snack and discuss favourite healthy foods at snack time. Children are developing skills required for the eventual move onto school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 303486 Local authority Halton Inspection number 10059406 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 17 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Reese, Karen

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 5 December 2014 Telephone number 07779528926

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reference number

Tiny Steps Pre-School registered in 2000. It operates in the grounds of St Martin's Catholic Primary School in the Murdishaw district of Runcorn. The pre-school is open Monday to Friday from 9am to midday and 12.30pm to 3.30pm, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding for the provision of free early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The pre-school employs six members of staff, all of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 and above.

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

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