Forward Steps (Yorkshire) Ltd

Inspection of Forward Steps (Yorkshire) Ltd 123-127 Summer Lane, Wombwell, BARNSLEY, South Yorkshire S73 8TU

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy, safe and secure in this fun and engaging setting. They seek out staff to join in with their play and are keen to show visitors what they are doing. Staff have high expectations for all children's learning, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and who speak English as an additional language. Staff are good role models and interact positively with children. They give children plenty of praise and encouragement as they play. This helps children to develop a can-do attitude towards their learning. Children are eager to do things for themselves and try out new skills. For example, babies persist until they successfully fit animal shapes into a puzzle.

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The provision is good

Staff celebrate children's achievements with smiles and cheers. Children are confident and independent. They successfully meet their own care needs, such as washing their hands before they eat. Older children pour their own water and serve their own lunch as they practise self-care skills. Children are well behaved and are aware of what is expected of them. Older children talk about the setting's 'golden rules' and follow them well. They show good listening skills as they engage in small-group activities where they practise sharing and taking turns. Babies learn about kindness and gently take care of soft toys.

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need to do better?

n The manager and staff have worked together with local schools to develop their curriculum goals. They want children to leave the setting ready for their future learning. Staff plan learning opportunities that help children to become confident and independent. However, at times, they plan mainly adult-led activities for older children. Staff do not provide as many opportunities for older children to initiate their own play and exploration in order to consolidate and enrich their learning. n The key-person system is effective. Children have secure attachments with staff, who know them well. Staff confidently talk about what children are interested in and where they are in their development. They understand what each child needs to learn next and how they are going to help them to make progress. n Knowledgeable and experienced staff support children's communication and language development extremely well. They speak clearly and chat to children

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need to do better?

as they play. Staff engage children in conversations and support them to learn new words and explore their meaning. For instance, during a story, older children explore the words 'larder' and 'jig'. n Mealtimes are a social occasion where children and staff sit together. They chat about children's experiences and friendships at nursery. Children demonstrate good manners and say 'please' and 'thank you' without being prompted by staff. They learn about the importance of having a healthy diet and discuss the

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need to do better?

11 February 2022 positive effects that vegetables have on their bodies. For instance, children know that cabbage will help to make them 'big and strong'. n The manager successfully monitors staff performance through regular observations and supervisions. She evaluates the quality of education and has robust training procedures in place to support staff to develop their skills and knowledge further. For example, staff have recently completed training to help them to further support children's communication and language development and to support those children who speak English as an additional language. n Self-evaluation procedures are effective. The manager is ambitious and has clear plans in place to develop the setting so that all children make progress. For example, she has plans to develop the outdoor area in the summer so that children can plant and grow more. The manager is keen for children to start

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need to do better?

visiting places of interest in the local community once more, including the library, shop and parks, to help them to learn more about the world around them. n The manager ensures that children receive any additional funding that they are entitled to. She works alongside staff and parents to decide how funding could be used to promote the best possible progress for their children. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff regularly share photos and information with parents about their children's learning and development through an online platform. Parents speak positively about the setting and compliment the manager and staff. They say that their children are happy and make progress in their learning and development.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers have robust recruitment and vetting arrangements to ensure that those working with children are suitable for their role. Staff have a good knowledge and understanding of child protection, including the broader aspects of safeguarding. Managers make sure that staff undertake regular training, so that their knowledge remains current. Staff confidently describe the action they would take if they had concerns about a child's welfare or regarding a colleague's practice. They implement effective risk assessments to ensure that children can play in a safe and secure environment.

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should:

n plan more opportunities for older children to choose their own play and activities to help them to consolidate and enrich their own learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY446537 Local authority Barnsley Inspection number 10075172 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 42 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Forward Steps (Yorkshire) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01226 934 724 Date of previous inspection 30 June 2016

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Information about this early years setting

Forward Steps (Yorkshire) Ltd registered in 2012. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, 13 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. It 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 setting and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector observed the interactions between the staff and children during activities, and assessed the impact these have on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk and discussed how staff deliver their curriculum. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation of an activity. n The inspector read written feedback provided by parents. She spoke to a number of parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector sampled documentation, including suitability checks of staff and first-aid certificates.

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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

11 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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