Step Start Nurseries Braintree

Inspection of Step Start Nurseries Braintree John Ray House, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex CM7 9RW

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Children enter the nursery confidently, say 'goodbye' and wave to their parents. Children's needs are generally well met. However, issues with staff recruitment mean that there are some inconsistencies in the quality of care and education that they are provided with. Children do not always receive good levels of supervision. Some routine activities are not well planned, which results in children having to wait, for example, when they eat their main meal or snack. Despite this, children enjoy their nursery day. They are keen and active learners, who engage in both freely chosen and organised activities.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Babies receive kind and caring support from staff. They are reassured in a calm manner when they wake from a rest. Babies who are beginning to explore standing up, are provided with well-placed furniture to enable them to cruise around, strengthening their balance and physical abilities. Older children talk with staff about how to express the way they feel to others. They experiment with weight and practise their mathematical skills as they pour dry cereal from one vessel to another. All children experience fresh air and exercise daily when they use the well- equipped and exciting nursery outdoor space.

p.2

need to do better?

n The management team is working hard to recruit a full complement of permanent staff. There is a contingency plan in place for staff sickness and emergencies. However, on the day of inspection, this did not ensure that correct adult-to-child ratios were met for a short period of time early in the morning. At best, the nursery runs on the minimum staff required. As a result, some children do not receive consistently high levels of care or education. n Arrangements for routine activities, such as lunchtime and snack time, are not always well planned. Children are not provided with basic equipment, such as spoons and forks. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge of children's dietary needs. However, they do not always ensure that alternatives are provided when they begin delivering snack. As a result, some children have to wait until appropriate foods can be located. n On occasion, those children who require additional support, do not always

p.2

need to do better?

receive the individual attention identified by staff. This is because current staffing levels mean that they are, at times, busy managing large groups of children. n Parents spoken to at the time of the inspection share that they are very happy with their child's nursery provision. They feel well informed about their child's day and know who their child's key person is. They mention that the settling-in arrangements are good and many comment on how quickly their children settled. Parents receive thorough verbal feedback at the end of each day from

p.2

need to do better?

8 February 2022 their child's key person or whoever has been caring for them that day. n Children take pride in helping to tidy the room for the next activity. They recognise the familiar music, which is played as they tidy. Children help each other. For example, when one child struggles to push a large box of blocks to its storage place, others confidently assist without prompting from adults. n Children listen attentively to a story, joining in with familiar parts. When they become distracted, staff proficiently help them to re-engage by asking them to point to pictures or turn pages for them. n The management team has effective arrangements in place for supporting and coaching staff. They provide frequent training and encourage staff to play an active role in reviewing and evaluating the provision. The management team carries out a rigorous review following accidents or incidents and swiftly takes

p.2

need to do better?

action to improve staff practice or to update procedures where necessary.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff and managers have a very good understanding of their responsibilities to safeguard and protect children. They regularly update their safeguarding knowledge, for example, through training and in-house meetings and discussions. Staff understand wider safeguarding issues, such as radicalisation, and know the signs and symptoms to be alert to. The management team carries out rigorous checks when recruiting staff to ensure their suitability. They provide new staff with a thorough induction to help prepare them for their role. The manager reviews staff's ongoing suitability through the effective supervision arrangements.

p.3

Due date

ensure there are adequate staff at all times to supervise and support children to ensure their safety and well-being. 11/03/2022

p.3

should:

n review the organisation of routine times, such as lunch, so that staff are well prepared and have the necessary resources available to ensure these times run smoothly n review the deployment of staff to provide sufficient support for children when their main carer is absent.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 2598104 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10221893 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 75 Number of children on roll 124 Name of registered person Step Start Nurseries Bocking Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01376402001 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Step Start Nurseries Braintree registered in 2020. The setting employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, 12 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The setting is open from 7am until 7pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed all areas of the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity and, together, they evaluated this. n Children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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

8 February 2022 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