Forest Footsteps Childcare

Inspection of Forest Footsteps Childcare 2nd Ramalley Scout Headquarters, Ramalley Lane, Chandler's Ford, EASTLEIGH, Hampshire SO53 1JG

p.1

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

p.1

The provision is good

Staff welcome children into the setting and instantly make them feel included. They treat children as unique individuals and promote high expectations for every child.

p.2

The provision is good

Children demonstrate a strong sense of belonging. They listen to each other and are learning to share. Staff are attentive to children's needs. They respond promptly when small disputes occur and use clear and consistent strategies to help children manage their emotions. For example, they channel children's energy into purposeful play and encourage them to work as a team. Children learn to problem solve and successfully build an obstacle course. They learn to take safe risks as they carefully balance planks of wood and move from one obstacle to another.

p.2

The provision is good

Children have many opportunities to engage in a variety of activities indoors and outdoors. On the day of the inspection, they chose from a range of natural resources, such as ice and cornflour. They investigated changing properties and showed fascination as they added water into their play. Children collected leaves in the woods, made marks with sticks and looked for bugs under logs. Staff enhanced children's understanding of the natural world and added extra resources, such as magnifying glasses, which ignited their curiosity. However, on occasion, staff do not consistently recognise opportunities to challenge children and extend their learning fully.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff encourage children to have a go, particularly when putting on their coats or when washing their hands. Children learn routines effectively and are keen to take on small tasks such as tidying and washing up. They wait patiently for their turn to collect their plate, select their snack and enjoy talking to adults and peers while eating. This helps to ensure that children have the self-help skills needed in preparation for school. n Staff offer home visits to help them get a full picture of children's development before they start at the pre-school. They provide parents with high-quality observations and updates with detailed information on their child's ongoing progress. In addition, staff welcome parents into the setting to celebrate their child's individual achievements and encourage parents to continue with their children's learning at home. For example, they offer story sacks and give parents

p.2

need to do better?

reminders of the importance of reading with their children. This has significantly increased parental engagement. n Staff support children's communication skills well. They quickly identify children who arrive at the setting with lower than typical speaking skills. Staff work in close partnership with a range of services to ensure that all children and families receive the support they need. These swift interventions help to close gaps in

p.2

need to do better?

19 November 2019 children's learning. All children, including those for whom the setting receives additional funding, make good progress. n Children develop the skills that will help them learn to read and write. They develop their handwriting muscles well. For example, children chip ice using a variety of resources and manipulate play dough into shapes. This helps to strengthen their pincer grip. Children take on different roles and imagine they are shopkeepers or customers at the shop. They write shopping lists and use pretend money to buy their items. Children enjoy listening to stories. They share books together and begin to understand that print carries meaning. n The management of the pre-school is strong. The manager organises a curriculum that is exciting and follows children's interests. There is a clear sense of direction and staff are highly motivated to maintain continuous improvement. All staff are encouraged to complete a wide variety of training courses to help

p.2

need to do better?

develop their skills. For example, the forest school teaching has widened children's outdoor learning experiences. This has had a positive impact on children's confidence and they are keen to learn new skills, such as how to swing on a rope. However, at times, staff do not use their good teaching skills to challenge children to the highest level, to help them make the best possible progress.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

The manager and staff are aware of indicators that might suggest that a child's welfare is being compromised or that a child is at risk of harm, including radicalisation. They act quickly to ensure that families receive the support that they need. Staff complete regular safeguarding training to help ensure they are aware of new legislation. There is a rigorous induction procedure to check new staff and their suitability to fulfil their role. The manager deploys staff effectively to ensure children are well supervised. She completes comprehensive risk assessments for all areas of the pre-school, including daily activity sessions in the woods and outings in the community.

p.3

should:

n support staff to develop their good teaching skills so that they maximise all opportunities to challenge children's learning through play, so that all children make good progress.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY551545 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10126984 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 1 to 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 26 Name of registered person Cuffley, Erin Christiane

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07557346782 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Forest Footsteps Childcare registered in 2017. It operates from Ramalley Scout Headquarters, in Chandler's Ford, Hampshire. The setting opens for 51 weeks of the year, Monday to Thursday from 8am to 4pm and Friday from 8am until 1pm. It provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. The pre-school employs six members of staff, five of whom hold relevant qualifications at level 3 or above.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager gave the inspector a tour of the pre-school and explained how the curriculum is delivered. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector looked at a range of documentation, including evidence of staff suitability and qualifications. n A meeting was held between the inspector and manager. The inspector spoke to parents, staff and children and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of staff teaching and the impact that this has on children's progress.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

19 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6