Silver Steps Day Care Ltd

Inspection of Silver Steps Day Care Ltd The Pavilion, Silver Street, Silver End, Witham, Essex CM8 3QG

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety and welfare are compromised. The provider has not carried out the required checks to ensure the suitability of staff. Parents and children are warmly greeted by the friendly and professional staff. Children arrive happy and are keen to find their photograph to place it within their key-person group on the board. This helps children to have a strong sense of belonging. They are eager to explore the range of activities available that reflect their interests. Children develop good control and coordination of their hands as they use a selection of small tools to scoop sand into different sized containers. Staff skilfully introduce children to mathematical concepts such as 'full' and 'empty'.

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The provision is inadequate

Children have good opportunities to use their critical thinking skills. Staff challenge them to work out what they need to add to the soil to make it stick together to create a mud pie. Children become deeply engaged in their play. They use toy features, such as hair, mouths and glasses, to create unique characters. Children show a love of books. They enjoy looking at books in the inviting reading area and handle books with care. Regular visits to the local library enable children to choose a book they would like to take home to share with their parents.

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need to do better?

n The provider has not conducted robust recruitment checks on staff to verify their suitability to work directly with children, in line with the requirements of the early years foundation stage and the setting's own policy. Despite the provider obtaining Disclosure and Barring Service checks for all staff, this still puts children at significant risk. n Staff provide children with ample opportunities to follow a healthy lifestyle. Children enjoy regular access to the inviting outdoor area. They learn to assess their own risks. Staff make the best possible use of the adjoining recreational field. Children practise running at speed and develop increased control of their body. For example, they learn how to walk backwards and jump in crispy autumn leaves. n An effective key-person system is in place. Children show that they feel safe and secure with all staff, not only their key person. Staff are positive role models for

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need to do better?

children. They successfully support children to build on their language skills. Staff express a genuine interest in what children have to say. Their skilful use of questioning motivates children to talk about their favourite flavour of ice cream. Children thoroughly enjoy experimenting with their voice. They talk through a funnel and discover how it changes the sound of their voice. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff share a wealth of information with them, including ideas to support learning at home. Parents comment how staff are 'committed' to their role and provide a 'home away from home feel'.

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need to do better?

8 November 2021 n The provider supports staff to continuously develop their practice. Staff work closely with other providers that children attend. A good two-way flow of information supports children's continuity of learning. Partnerships with outside agencies ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities develop well. n Overall, staff provide good opportunities for children to build on what they know and can do to extend their learning. Staff successfully support children to be active learners and explore their own ideas. Children build models using connecting bricks and adapt them to add more detail. However, staff do not consistently consider how to introduce children to more challenging concepts, such as Armistice Day. This means that children are unable to understand its true meaning. n Children behave well and show respect for others. They know to position their chair carefully around the carpet for group time. Staff enthusiastically sing songs

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need to do better?

that introduce children to the sound of letters of the alphabet. However, staff do not fully consider the individual learning needs of younger children to consistently maintain their interest during group activities. As a result, these children eventually leave the activity and do not fully benefit from what is being taught.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider is not aware of her responsibility to obtain and verify information, such as references for staff to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. Staff understand and recognise signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of neglect or abuse and the action to take. The nursery is secure to prevent unauthorised individuals entering the premises and children leaving. Staff have a system in place so that children are only collected by individuals who have permission to do so.

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Due date

ensure a robust recruitment procedure is followed to verify the suitability of staff who work directly with children. 22/11/2021

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should:

8 November 2021 n strengthen the curriculum offered to ensure that it consistently takes full account of what children know and can do, so that they are able to develop a strong understanding of new information n review the organisation of group activities to consistently support younger children's individual learning needs.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY562204 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10191218 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Silver Steps Day Care Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01376 583799 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Silver Steps Day Care Ltd registered in 2018. The nursery is open from 7am until 5pm for 50 weeks of the year. There are five staff members who work directly with the children. Of these, three hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the setting received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the deputy manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector and deputy manager completed a 'earning walk together to understand how the curriculum is organised. n The deputy manager and the inspector observed and evaluated an activity. The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector interacted with children and held a number of discussions with staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the deputy manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting and policies and procedures. n The inspector took account of the views of parents and other providers spoken

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Inspection activities

to on the day, and their written feedback.

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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

8 November 2021 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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