Lister Steps Childcare

Inspection of Lister Steps Childcare The Old Library, Green Lane, Tuebrook, Liverpool L13 7EB

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

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

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The provision is inadequate

Children are not always kept safe and secure in this nursery. This is because the visual checks that staff carry out of the nursery environment are not sufficient. Furthermore, children are not always effectively supervised by staff while playing in the outdoor area. This is due to the other responsibilities of staff at this time, such as carrying out personal care for some children inside. This puts children at risk of significant harm.

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The provision is inadequate

Children arrive at nursery happy and are eager to enter. They enjoy seeing staff and their friends. Children are making some progress in their learning and development. They enjoy filling and emptying different containers in the sand and water trays. This helps them with their mathematical development. However, at times, staff expect children to join in with adult-led group activities for exceptionally long periods of time. This causes some children to become distracted. Children generally behave well. However, the noise level in the nursery can prevent children from practising their listening skills. Therefore, they do not always follow instructions well.

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The provision is inadequate

Children learn the importance of good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands. They do this frequently throughout the day, particularly after personal care and before mealtimes. This is one of the areas that the nursery has focused on to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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need to do better?

n Following a recent incident, a child was able to leave the nursery unsupervised. In response to this, leaders have put measures in place to secure the external gate that was left unlocked. However, leaders have not yet provided staff with adequate training and support. Therefore, staff do not fully understand their role and responsibilities in keeping children safe from harm. n Leaders have clear intentions of what they want children to learn next. Staff understand this and plan activities that capture the interests of children. For example, children enjoy washing animals in soapy water before building a farm. However, staff do not always plan meaningful learning opportunities that support children to build on what they already know and can do. Furthermore, staff do not always effectively support children's learning during freely chosen play. Therefore, although children are making progress in their learning, at

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need to do better?

times, their experiences are limited. n Staff share familiar books with children. They use expressive voices and encourage children to join in with the main parts of the story. Staff working with younger children make good use of nursery rhymes to support them to learn new words. Therefore, children are making adequate progress with their speech

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need to do better?

25 March 2022 development. However, children are required to sit for long periods of time to listen to stories and join in with songs. Consequently, some children become bored and move on. n Children follow the setting rules, such as walking inside. Older children learn to take responsibility for their own personal care needs, such as going to the toilet and dressing themselves. This helps them to develop their independence skills. However, children are not always given the chance to make choices for themselves. For example, at times, staff direct children to the areas that they are allowed to play. Therefore, some children become disengaged. n Children learn some of the ways to live a healthy lifestyle, such as eating nutritious home-cooked foods and snacks. Children get daily fresh air and lots of exercise. They enjoy practising their balance and coordination skills on the outdoor equipment. Children enjoy making marks on the playground with large

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need to do better?

chalks. This supports the development of their muscles ready for writing activities. n Staff support children to understand what makes them unique. Children learn about some different cultures and ways of life. For example, children were recently invited to learn about Chinese New Year and Saint Patrick's Day. Therefore, children are starting to learn about the world around them. n Staff have good relationships with other professionals. They promptly identify and access early help for children. Leaders put effective measures in place to support children's individual needs in the nursery. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are adequately prepared by staff for their next stage in learning. n Parents comment on aspects of the nursery that they are happy with. They express that staff support their children's individual needs well. Parents comment that their children are happy to come to nursery.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Risk assessments in this nursery are not effective. Staff are not clear on all areas of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, when and by whom these checks need to be carried out by. This continues to put children at risk of harm. Leaders and staff have an adequate knowledge and understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse. They are aware of how to correctly report concerns about the welfare of children. Staff are trained in paediatric first aid and keep this up to date. They accurately complete accident forms and share these with parents. There is an emergency evacuation procedure in place that is practised and understood by staff and children.

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Due date

ensure staff receive training and support to provide them with a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in safeguarding children 06/05/2022

p.4

Due date

ensure risk assessments identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, when and by whom 06/05/2022

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Due date

ensure staff are effectively deployed in the outdoor area to make sure children are well supervised 06/05/2022

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Due date

ensure children benefit from meaningful learning opportunities that enable them to build on what they already know and can do and make good progress. 20/05/2022

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should:

n provide children with more opportunities to make choices in their play and maintain high levels of engagement in their learning n enhance the opportunities for children to practise their listening skills and further develop their communication and language.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2602642 Local authority Liverpool Inspection number 10232362 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 66 Number of children on roll 123 Name of registered person Lister Steps Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01512541394 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Lister Steps Childcare is operated by Lister Steps Limited, which registered in 2000, and moved to the current premises in 2020. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff; 13 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the manager and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received from the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to children, staff and parents at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

25 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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