First Steps Cornwall Ltd - Porthleven

Inspection of First Steps Cornwall Ltd - Porthleven St. Elvans Childrens Centre, Torleven Road, Porthleven, HELSTON, Cornwall TR13 9BX

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children have excellent relationships with all the staff. Due to COVID-19, parents drop their children outside of the front door. Children have adapted to this and they hang up their belongings independently, and soon become engaged in playing together. They are happy, safe and content in the nursery. Babies seek out familiar adults for cuddles of reassurance when visitors enter the room. Staff swiftly use techniques to distract children, such as initiating an activity. All children clearly enjoy the company of their friends, as well as time playing and learning on their own. They show exceedingly high levels of self-control and respect for others.

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The provision is good

Children develop their natural curiosity and explore independently. They persevere calmly and quietly towards the goals that they set themselves. For example, older children continue to try, several times, to scoop water out of the bottom of a large tyre into saucepans. They are proud to tell staff how much water they have collected.

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The provision is good

The management team is aware of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's personal, social and emotional development. The team put strategies quickly into place to support children with this. For instance, staff encourage children to take part in small-group activities to develop their social skills.

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need to do better?

n Senior leaders of the nursery have a clear vision for the setting. They develop a broad and an ambitious curriculum to ensure that all children make good progress in their learning and development. The curriculum has been carefully considered and devised to reflect the diversity and range of children and families that live within the community. Children of all ages benefit from meaningful learning across all areas of the curriculum. n Older children develop their communication and language skills well. They enjoy a language-rich environment. Staff introduce new words to extend vocabulary. They are good role models and engage in purposeful discussions with children throughout the day. Children discover that Eskimos live in igloos and estimate that they would need a million gallons of water to make an igloo. However, this is not consistent across all areas of the nursery. Staff interactions do not always

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need to do better?

move children's learning on or extend their thinking. n The special educational needs coordinators (SENCos) quickly identify any areas of concern in a child's development. They welcome other professionals into the setting to provide advice for staff and parents. The SENCos help staff to make plans to adapt the curriculum to meet the children's learning needs, while further assessments are undertaken. Staff consider how additional funding is spent to ensure it makes the intended difference for children.

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need to do better?

8 February 2022 n Parents comment positively on the partnerships between themselves and staff. They state that staff are friendly and supportive, and that their children are happy and settled at the welcoming nursery. Staff work hard to communicate with parents and share the children's experiences at nursery in diverse ways. Parents keenly talk about the regular updates they receive about their children's development, so that they can continue the support at home. n Staff support children to learn about healthy lifestyles. They ensure that children have fresh air and exercise and make healthy eating choices. Children practise their physical skills indoors and outdoors. Older children learn to climb up confidently and roll down slopes safely. Babies are given the guidance and space to help them develop core strength and balance. They climb up the steps confidently to the indoor slide and negotiate ramps with confidence.

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need to do better?

n The experienced owners and managers, along with their deputy, lead the staff effectively. All staff are well supported. There are systems in place to monitor and discuss staff performance. Staff have the opportunity to attend training courses to enhance their professional development. They feed back their training to the team and implement changes to enhance their practice.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if they have concerns about a child. They confidently know how to report any concerns they might have about children's well-being. Staff and managers regularly update their safeguarding knowledge, for instance, through in-house meetings and training. They deploy themselves effectively to supervise children vigilantly at all times and ensure their safety. Staff conduct daily safety checks and continually assess the environment for risks, to ensure that children can play safely.

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should:

n strengthen staff development to ensure that all interactions continually focus on building children's knowledge.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY477643 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10126037 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

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

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inspection

Total number of places 53 Number of children on roll 88 Name of registered person First Steps Cornwall Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01326 565662 Date of previous inspection 25 February 2016

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Information about this early years setting

First Steps Pre-school and Blues Club re-registered as a limited company in 2014. It is one of three out-of-school clubs and daycare provisions run by First Steps Cornwall Limited. The setting operates within St Elvan's Children Centre, in the grounds of Porthleven School, in Porthleven, Cornwall. It is open Monday to Friday, from 7.45am until 6.15pm, for 50 weeks of the year. The setting is in receipt of early education funding to provide free places for two-, three- and four-year-old children. There are 14 members of staff employed to work with the children. Of these, two are qualified teachers and nine hold appropriate childcare qualifications at level 3 or above.

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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 their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector had a tour of the premises and discussed how the managers and staff use the available space to deliver the curriculum. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n A manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity and reviewed the learning intentions and impact. n The inspector held a discussion with the management team in relation to the leadership and management of the nursery. She looked at a range of documentation, including suitability information relating to staff.

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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 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.

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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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