Early Learning Steps Otham

Inspection of Early Learning Steps Otham Otham Village Hall, Otham Street, Otham, MAIDSTONE, Kent ME15 8RN

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

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

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The provision requires improvement

Children are eager to come into the setting to explore the interesting range of activities on offer. Staff plan the environment to reflect children's interests and focus on their next steps in learning and development. Children receive caring interactions from staff, who know them well. However, these are not always purposeful to extend and challenge all children's learning. The provider has not put in place effective supervision for staff to support them and address the inconsistencies in their teaching and practice.

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The provision requires improvement

Children's behaviour is good, they are kind to their friends and are learning to share and take turns. For example, staff enable them to make informed choices, such as taking a turn to choose which song they would like everyone to sing. The staff make use of musical instruments to support children to develop their listening skills. For instance, children listen to instructions as they ring their bells along to the songs. They start by ringing them quietly before seeing how loud they can ring them. The children excitedly learn about how to make different sounds with their bells as they interact with friends.

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need to do better?

n Children feel safe and excitedly help staff set up activities. For instance, they help to carry the ingredients to the table ready to make play dough. Children are inquisitive to explore how the weighing scales work. They watch the arrow move around the dial as they take turns to press the tray down. However, staff do not do enough to use children's interests to extend their knowledge. Consequently, children do not always have focused experiences, which would enable them to reach their full potential. n The provider does not effectively track and monitor staff's practice. This is one of three settings the provider operates. She is aware that she needs to put in place effective supervision for the manager and staff to support them and address the inconsistencies in their teaching and practice. n The manager is passionate about supporting all families within the setting. She works closely with other professionals, parents and staff to put in place focused

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need to do better?

plans to help support children who might require additional assistance. The staff are building close relationships with other settings children attend, to help ensure they provide a continuity of care and learning. n At present, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents and carers are not able to go into the setting. Staff make effective use of daily discussions, contact books, and online messaging to ensure they keep parents informed about their child's learning and development. Parents and carers state that they value the care and support their child receives from the staff. n Staff understand the importance of exercise and playing outside. They provide

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need to do better?

7 March 2022 children with daily opportunities to use the garden or go on walks to the local play park. The children develop their muscle strength as they use the large play equipment to climb and learn how to take managed risks in their play. n Staff encourage children to practise skills to support their independence. For instance, children cut up their fruit at snack time and choose milk or water to drink. However, staff do not consistently promote children's understanding of how to make healthy choices. For instance, staff do not provide children and parents with information about how to have a healthy packed lunch and not having sugary drinks during the day. n Children are keen to investigate the feel and texture of the oats set out on the tuff tray. They have a variety of tools and different containers to use. Children are fascinated by the tweezers and see if they will clip onto the side of the tray.

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need to do better?

They are beginning to problem solve as they explore the tools. However, staff focus on the story they are reading to the children. They do not take advantage of the children's curiosity to extend the activity and develop the children's knowledge and skills. As a result, children are not fully supported to develop their ideas and extend their engagement in meaningful play experiences.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider has a secure understanding of child protection and how to safeguard children. The manager and deputy have a suitable knowledge of the signs that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect and the procedures to follow if they were concerned about a child's welfare. They are aware of wider safeguarding concerns, such as being observant of extreme behaviours and views. The provider has completed safer recruitment training and has robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure all adults working with children are suitable. She is aware of the importance of making sure staff receive relevant information as part of their induction procedure.

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Due date

support staff to improve and develop their teaching skills to ensure they provide meaningful interactions during children's play to increase children's knowledge and skills 03/05/2022

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Due date

7 March 2022 provide effective supervision and training to make sure staff keep their practice current and that they understand their roles and responsibilities. 03/05/2022

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should:

n provide children with consistent messages about making healthy choices, including how to have a healthy diet.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2538828 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10208638 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 16 Number of children on roll 10 Name of registered person Early Learning Steps Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07983102421 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Early Learning Steps Otham registered in 2019. It is one of three settings owned by the provider. It operates from the village hall in Otham, near Maidstone, Kent. The setting is open from 9am to 2.30pm, during term times only. The provider employs two members of staff, both of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The provider holds qualified teacher status. The setting receives funding to provide free early education for children aged three and four years.

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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 During the learning walk the manager explained to the inspector how they plan the curriculum and set out the environment. n The inspector carried out joint observations with the provider and manager and discussions were held about the practice observed. n The inspector spoke to children and staff at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector gained the views of some parents and carers through letters of reference and through discussions on the day of the inspection.

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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

7 March 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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