Footsteps Pre-School

Inspection of Footsteps Pre-School Scout Association, 11 Fleet Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 9RB

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children enjoy the time they spend at the warm and welcoming pre-school. They have formed strong attachments with staff and demonstrate that they are emotionally secure. Children show that they feel comfortable as they play alongside adults or enjoy sitting on their laps when listening to stories. Effective settling-in processes are in place and staff know their key children well. They confidently talk about children's individual characteristics, including their abilities, likes and dislikes. Children make good progress in the setting and explore the environment with confidence and ease. They have a positive attitude to their learning and behave very well. Children take part in activities with enthusiasm and excitement. For instance, during the inspection, children pretended there was a monster with red spots in the pre-school. They used natural resources, such as planks of wood and logs, to create a jail for the monster. They worked together to move the wood and

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The provision is good

commented that they had found a heavy wooden door for the jail.

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The provision is good

Children are eager to engage in activities that develop the skills they need for their future. They thrive in the language-rich environment. Throughout activities, staff introduce new words to enhance children's vocabulary. Children develop a love of books and stories from an early age. They listen carefully and attentively to familiar stories and accurately predict what might happen next.

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need to do better?

n The manager is aware of the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on children's learning and development. She has identified that after the national restrictions, some children need more support to develop their social and communication skills. She has worked closely with parents and staff to support children to catch up in these areas. n The manager and staff have high expectations for children's learning and development. Staff monitor children's progress over time, to ensure that the learning experiences offered, help them to develop across all areas. They quickly identify gaps in children's progress and implement plans to help them to catch up. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive well- tailored individual support. Staff work closely with outside professionals where necessary and share expertise to help children catch up in their learning. n Staff have developed good relationships with parents. They gather a wealth of

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need to do better?

information from them prior to the children starting. This information is used by staff to help children to settle and to make sure learning opportunities meet their current needs and interests. n The focus on children's creative thinking is very strong. Children choose activities for themselves and use these in creative ways. For example, they use metal cups and pans as drums, and wooden spoons as drumsticks. They bang each to

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need to do better?

10 December 2021 create different sounds and identify that one type of metal makes a louder sound than the other. n Staff provide engaging experiences, to help children develop an understanding of their wider world. For instance, children eagerly hunt for worms in the garden and look at these through magnifying glasses. Staff use these interests to promote children's mathematical development, such as encouraging them to count the number of worms and compare their sizes. n The passionate manager and deputy lead their staff team very well and create a highly positive atmosphere for staff well-being. They offer valuable support and training for staff's professional development. However, there is scope for even more support to fully embed training for newer and less-experienced staff, to help strengthen their good practice further. n Children have respect for one another and listen to adults, responding quickly to

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need to do better?

their instructions. For example, they quickly tidy up when asked. n Overall, children gain a good understanding of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. They benefit from healthy snacks and plenty of fresh air and exercise through regular outdoor play. However, staff do not consistently encourage children to follow good hygiene routines. For example, children are not always reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and wiping their noses.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have thorough recruitment and induction procedures in place to check that staff are suitable to care for children. The premises are clean, safe, and secure and staff carry out checks to maintain good standards. Leaders ensure that staff undertake safeguarding training and attend meetings to keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date. Staff are very knowledgeable about how to keep children safe. This includes the wider aspects of safeguarding, such as female genital mutilation and 'Prevent' duty. They know the signs to look out for in children and their wider families, and know who to report these concerns to, including to agencies outside of their organisation.

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should:

n continue to strengthen and embed support for newer and less-experienced staff to help raise their good level of practice higher n strengthen the consistency of hygiene practices to support children's understanding of the links between good hygiene and good health.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2528485 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 10208371 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 31

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Name of registered person

Footsteps Day Nursery And Pre-School Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 01252542222 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Footsteps pre-school registered in 2019. The setting is located in Farnborough, Hampshire. The pre-school operates between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are four staff employed to work with children. The manager holds a full and relevant level 6 qualification and two staff hold a level 3.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the provider. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk together and discussed how the curriculum is organised. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager and discussed the quality of teaching. n The inspector asked staff questions throughout the inspection to establish their understanding of how to safeguard children, and how they assess and plan for children's learning. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and the children and considered the impact on their learning. n The views of the parents were gathered through face-to-face discussion and 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

10 December 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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