Footsteps Nursery Canwell

Inspection of Footsteps Nursery Canwell Old London Road, Canwell, Sutton Coldfield, Staffordshire B75 5SD

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is outstanding

Children thrive at this warm and friendly nursery. Staff create a very safe, nurturing environment where children thoroughly enjoy playing and learning. They have high expectations of what children can do and achieve. Babies play in a calm and serene setting where lights are dimmed, or music is played softly to create a real sense of tranquility. All children are extremely happy and settled.

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The provision is outstanding

Children behave very well. They learn in a peaceful, harmonious setting. Children show kindness, friendship and support to each other. They are polite, well mannered and give a warm welcome to visitors. Children learn how to express their feelings exceptionally well. Older children have an area of the room where they can relax and unwind when the need arises. They can use this cosy area to take time to reflect on their behaviour and consider how others might be feeling.

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The provision is outstanding

Toddlers and older children are excited and motivated. They choose what and how they are going to learn through play, exploration and music. Children enjoy frequent visits to the outdoor or forest school areas. Staff are highly skilled at nurturing children's imaginations. For example, they create video recordings of fairies and dragons in the forest school. Children are inspired to develop the area for the fairies to live in. They are soon making beds, baths and houses out of clay and talking enthusiastically about what the fairies might need.

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need to do better?

n Managers have an accurate view of the nursery. Staff use a parents' forum and children's committee to gain all users' views to drive standards even higher. Staff enjoy working at the nursery. They value the strong team work and training opportunities that help them to sustain such strong practice. Together, they maintain an outstanding provision which provides a consistently wonderful education for all. n Learning is highly active, magical and fun. Staff implement an ambitious curriculum to help children achieve at the highest level. All staff unite in their desire to provide children with the best possible start to their education. Staff know exactly what each child needs to know before they move on to more difficult learning. They plan a vast range of interesting and exciting activities that are closely linked to children's current interests. As a result, children make outstanding progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n Staff help children to develop their literacy skills and a love of reading from a young age. Babies enjoy looking at picture and board books with staff. Toddlers select their favourite books, turn the pages carefully and point to the pictures. Children can take books and activities home to share with their family. Parents are invited into the nursery to read and enjoy stories with children.

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need to do better?

22 November 2019 n A strong focus on communication and language is evident throughout the nursery. Babies make sounds, babble and utter first words with great confidence. Older children engage in conversations, discuss ideas and negotiate expertly. n Children know the routines exceptionally well and develop strong independence. For example, during lunchtimes, children help to set the table. They count out how many knives and forks they need. Children sit calmly and serve their own meals. They interact companionably with their friends and members of staff. n Staff place a high priority on helping children to develop healthy eating habits. The dedicated nursery cook is a real asset to the overall provision. She provides a wealth of delicious and nutritious meals and snacks which children thoroughly enjoy. In addition, she leads cooking sessions for pre-school children where they learn how to prepare and cook their own meals.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are exceptional. Staff use a range of successful strategies to involve parents in their child's learning. Parents use an online system to access their child's learning records at any time. Staff talk to parents daily and share feedback notes for the youngest children. Parents are regularly invited into the setting to join in with activities or to learn new skills themselves. For example, they benefit from attending first-aid skills training at the nursery. Parents are highly complimentary about the care their children receive. They comment that they are 'blown away' by the quality of the care and that their children love attending. n Staff provide a range of activities to help children learn about the world around them. They invite parents in to talk to children about the different occupations they have. Staff carry out home visits to new families to help them get to know

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need to do better?

each other. They teach children about different religions or family backgrounds to help children develop respect and tolerance for different ways of life.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The safety of children is paramount. Clear policies and procedures guide staff. Well-trained staff know what to do if they are worried about a child. Children learn in a safe and secure environment. Leaders are vigilant and work well with other agencies to support children and families. They act quickly if they have concerns. Children understand how to manage risks and take responsibility for their own safety. They can use real tools competently and act responsibly while sitting around an open fire.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY442340 Local authority Staffordshire Inspection number 10113782 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 to 4 Total number of places 56 Number of children on roll 78 Name of registered person Footsteps Day Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0121 3083547 Date of previous inspection 4 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Footsteps Nursery Canwell registered in 2012 and is one of a number of settings owned by Footsteps Day Nurseries Ltd. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 6.30pm, all year round. There are 21 members of staff who work directly with the children, 15 of whom hold qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and the manager completed a learning walk across all areas of the nursery to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the nursery manager. n The inspector held a meeting with the management team. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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Inspection activities

22 November 2019 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

22 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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