Second Steps Day Nursery (Colchester) Limited

Inspection of Second Steps Day Nursery (Colchester) Limited 179 Shrub End Road, Colchester, Essex CO3 4RG

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Staff are positive role models. They join in children's play, show them how to use equipment and develop their learning by offering ideas. For example, staff encourage children to explore the range of vegetables in the home corner. They talk about the size and shape of each vegetable as well as how to prepare them for eating. This helps to support children's development of vocabulary and their ability to play imaginatively. Staff prioritise time to share books with children. Children giggle with excitement as they snuggle up and join in with familiar words and phrases. They demonstrate a love of reading from a young age.

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The provision is good

Staff give lots of praise and encouragement during activities, which supports children's confidence and self-esteem. Children learn to lead healthy lifestyles. They enjoy a variety of nutritious foods. Staff encourage children to manage tasks for themselves. For example, they learn to put on their own coats and boots when going outside. Children are very well behaved and form firm friendships with one another. Staff reinforce positive behaviour. Clear routines are a part of each day. These help children to understand what will happen next. For example, even the youngest children notice the snack tray arriving and head off to wash their hands.

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need to do better?

n The manager has worked with the support of the local authority advisory team to make improvements since the last inspection. She is determined to continue to improve the provision. For example, she has developed procedures that ensure staff are clear about which rooms they are working in. This ensures that children are sufficiently supervised at all times. Staff feel supported and comment they have worked together to make positive changes in the setting. n Managers and room leaders strive to constantly look at ways to improve their practice. They are proactive in implementing changes that help children to make the best possible progress. n The key-person system is effective, and children's individual needs are well known by all staff. Cuddles are readily available. Children form strong bonds with staff, which supports their emotional development. The key persons and parents agree individual settling-in arrangements according to the needs of each

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need to do better?

child. n Children are encouraged to develop problem-solving skills. They are given time and space to explore freely, with adults on hand to offer support and suggestions where needed. For example, children explore outside with pipes, guttering, containers and funnels. They spend long periods of time observing what happens as they pour sparkly water through the different equipment. Children are challenged to see how much water they can move along a series of pipes. Children notice that there is a leak part way along and offer suggestions

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need to do better?

7 November 2019 about what might help them fix this. Staff listen to children's ideas and provide them with materials to try out their thinking. n The staff are supported to enhance their teaching skills. They use this knowledge to respond effectively to children, to extend children's learning and understanding. For instance, when children are playing with trains, staff extend their learning by introducing them to new and challenging vocabulary. Staff explain that the trains have a magnet on each end and that they join when positive and negative poles are put next to each other. n Staff do not always recognise the opportunities that arise during children's play to build on their understanding and learning of numbers and counting. n Staff build warm and friendly partnerships with parents. They keep parents informed about their children's development and invite their thoughts. Parents speak highly of the nursery and say they value the staff's support.

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need to do better?

n Children have ample opportunities to do things for themselves, which helps them develop independence. Children enjoy serving themselves from a range of foods and pouring water into their cups at mealtimes. n The manager observes staff practice and carries out regular supervision meetings to manage their well-being and performance. Training is well targeted to meet staff's individual professional development needs and helps to maintain the good quality of practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff always supervise children and maintain the required staff-to-child ratios. This helps to ensure that children are kept safe from harm. The premises are safe and secure. Staff carry out daily checks of the premises and garden to make sure potential risks are minimised. The manager and staff have a good understanding of how to protect children. They complete safeguarding training to ensure that they have a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow if they identify any concerns about a child's welfare. Staff know who the designated person for safeguarding is, and they are aware of how to report any concerns they have about children.

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should:

n make the most of opportunities that arise to support children to develop skills in number and counting.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY555918 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10101582 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 11 Total number of places 69 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Second Steps Day Nursery - Colchester Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01206 545671 Date of previous inspection 18 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Second Steps Day Nursery (Colchester) Limited registered in 2018. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery is open from 7am until 7pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year. The nursery provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector walked around all areas of the nursery with the manager and deputy and discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The nursery manager and inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector held a meeting with the nursery manager. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector observed activities indoors and considered the impact of teaching on children's learning and development. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

7 November 2019 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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