Stepping Stones Pre School

Inspection of Stepping Stones Pre School The Methodist Church Hall, Leicester Road, Sapcote, Leicester, Leicestershire LE9 4JE

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are eager to enter the pre-school and separate from their parents easily. They are greeted by their friends and by friendly staff. Staff work well to meet the individual needs of children. Children feel safe here. They have strong relationships with staff and are quick to ask them for support. Children are developing their social skills. They learn how to be kind to their friends and are learning to share with each other.

p.2

The provision is good

Children enjoy learning, both indoors and outdoors. Staff have high expectations for children's learning. They plan a curriculum that considers children's interests and their learning needs. All children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are learning to communicate well. Staff use planned and spontaneous activities to support children to extend their mathematical knowledge. For example, when children are at the 'creation station', they practise naming colours and shapes and count items on the shopping list they are creating. Staff find out what children are interested in and use this to encourage them to talk to others. For example, when children talk about their potions and magic symbols, staff encourage them to explain their game to other children.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff use established pre-school routines to structure the session for children. Children follow the routine well, sometimes staff reinforce this with image cards. During group time, staff explain an activity to children using a sequence of three images. Staff help children to recognise the images for hello, singing and goodbye. Children know what is expected of them and their behaviour and understand when the activity has ended. n Staff plan effectively for all children. Children are encouraged to be independent and, when they need support, staff are attentive to their individual needs. Staff know what children can do and encourage them to do more. Children are learning to use tools, they are cutting with scissors and using stampers. Staff sensitively intervene to demonstrate how to hold scissors, so children can cut confidently. n Children settle quickly and are ready to learn. Staff support children to

p.2

need to do better?

understand and manage their own behaviour. For instance, when children are riding bicycles and scooters outside, they are encouraged to share and take turns. Staff give children a five minute countdown, so that they can anticipate the end of their play or the start of their turn. n Staff provide a well-considered curriculum. Indoors, children play with board games, explore books and learn about keeping their teeth clean. Outdoors, children enjoy using their imagination to tell stories about the symbols they have drawn. Children include staff in their play, encouraging them to join in and make

p.2

need to do better?

13 May 2022 magic too. Staff ably extend children's imaginative play, but when children are practising skills or asking questions, the learning opportunity is sometimes overlooked. For example, when a child is practising catching objects with a fishing net and becomes frustrated when they cannot scoop a specific item up, rather than encouraging their perseverance, staff try to distract them with a singing game. n Staff take account of children's backgrounds and any feedback from parents. Parents speak very highly of the family feel of the pre-school and the care that their children receive. They know who their child's key person is and who to talk to if they need support or information. Parents access information about their children's development, using an online system and face-to-face discussion with staff during drop off and collection times. Staff understand the importance of having positive relationships with children and their families and have developed

p.2

need to do better?

a 'Parents in Partnership' support group. n The leadership team supports all staff to engage with training and feedback. Staff work very well together as a cohesive team, sharing ideas and information about children throughout the session. The leadership team implements a robust recruitment process and staff are supported to work across all areas of the pre- school. Staff comment that they feel highly valued and supported in their work with children.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Leaders and staff have a clear understanding of how to keep children safe. They understand the main types of abuse and how to recognise signs of neglect. They have clear policies and procedures that support them with reporting concerns about children's welfare and the behaviours of adults. Staff understand the whistle- blowing policy and who they can talk to about their concerns. Staff record accidents and injuries and use these to help them to risk assess the pre-school. Staff recognise the importance of training and value opportunities to learn about issues, such as the 'Prevent' duty, and how to support families to keep their children safe.

p.3

should:

n strengthen further staff's teaching, so that they consistently challenge children to learn more, and continue to develop their practical skills.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number 226466 Local authority Leicestershire Inspection number 10070983 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person Shields, Claire Patricia

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 07593 534118 Date of previous inspection 18 March 2015

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Stepping Stones Pre School registered in 1993. The setting employs six members of childcare staff. Of these, five hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3. The setting opens from Monday to Friday during school term times. Sessions are from 9.15am until 12.15pm, with an additional lunch club session on Wednesday from 12.15pm until 1.15pm. 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 observed the quality of education during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The provider and inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the pre-school manager. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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

13 May 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