Small Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School

Inspection of Small Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School Bedfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex TW14 9NP

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children arrive at the nursery very happily. They form close attachments with their key person and settle in quickly. Key persons show children attention and affection and are very caring. As a result, children feel safe and secure. Children show positive attitudes to their learning. They join in a range of activities, including outdoor games and arts and crafts. Children know staff by name and ask for support if they need it.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy playing and exploring indoors and outdoors. Activities are carefully planned to meet children's individual needs and different abilities. Children play in the role play area with a kitchen set, pretend food and dolls. They learn to respect each other and to value their different abilities and backgrounds. Children play outdoors throughout the day, which supports their physical development. They take part in obstacle courses, climb frames and slides and balance on bikes.

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The provision is good

Parents speak highly of the nursery and are extremely satisfied with its services. Parents say that the nursery is the best in the area. Managers have built strong parent partnerships and ensure that parents are informed about all aspects of their child's experience in the nursery.

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need to do better?

n Managers have created an ambitious and inclusive curriculum. They ensure that this is implemented effectively through monitoring and supporting staff each day. The nursery is taking part in an accreditation programme focused on children's communication and language development. This helps staff to evaluate the efficiency of the curriculum. This has had a positive impact on supporting all children's communication and language development. n Staff assess children's learning and development. This enables them to plan carefully for each child's individual needs and abilities. Staff complete the progress check for children aged between two and three years. This helps staff to provide children with early intervention, if needed. Staff work closely with other professionals, for example, speech and language therapists and health visitors. n Children behave well and have strong personal development. They have good

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need to do better?

manners towards each other and respect each other's different abilities. Children take part in small-group activities, enjoy reading books, sing and dance, write their names and take part in art and craft activities using various materials. This supports children's imaginations and creativity as well as the foundation for literacy skills. n Staff encourage children to become independent by learning about personal hygiene, washing their hands before mealtimes and helping to tidy up and look

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need to do better?

26 May 2022 after the environment. Children help themselves to morning snacks, pour water independently and help their friends. They make choices in their play. Children say 'please' and 'thank you' when their friends share toys or take turns. Staff are positive role models. n Children develop hand-to-eye coordination through various rich and exciting activities. For example, they use a hammer to hammer small pins into a cardboard box and make houses from it. Children also use tools on hard vegetables and create patterns. Children spend a long time using hammers and making shape patterns. There are some opportunities for children to learn about mathematics during their play, for example counting objects. However, staff need to ensure that mathematical skills are extended during activities. n Children's personal development is exceptional and is supported throughout the day. Children help each other. For example, during snack time they pour water

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need to do better?

for their friends. The provider goes above and beyond to ensure that children's personal development is met, regardless of their different backgrounds and abilities. Staff help each family and their children individually. Children have built a sense of belonging because they feel part of the environment. n The setting receives additional early years pupil premium funding for children. Staff have used this funding to invest in additional staff to ensure that they can provide more one-to-one support for children who need it. They have also bought resources specifically to meet children's individual needs and abilities. For example, staff bought a shape spiral for children to support their hand-to-eye coordination.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Managers have implemented robust procedures for safe recruitment to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Leaders and staff understand their responsibility to carry out regular risk assessments to minimise hazards and risks to children and to keep them safe. Staff carry out fire drills each term and make sure that all fire evacuation routes are clear of hazards. All staff have a secure understanding of safeguarding children. They know what to do if they have a concern about a child. Staff know about aspects related to safeguarding children, including the 'Prevent' duty.

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should:

n build on current activities to support children to develop their mathematical language and skills further.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY563462 Local authority Hounslow Inspection number 10194278 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 33 Number of children on roll 66 Name of registered person South Bedfont Playgroup Partnership

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reference number

Telephone number 07909881191 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Small Steps Day Nursery & Pre-School registered in 2018 and is located in Middlesex. It is one of a chain of four nurseries in the local area. The nursery offers early funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. It is open for 50 weeks of the year, from Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 4pm, except for bank holidays, October half term and a week at Christmas. The nursery offers drop-off and collection services for children at the local primary school.

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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 provider and the inspector completed a learning walk together. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. They observed staff's teaching practices together. n The inspector spoke to children, their parents and the staff at appropriate times during the inspection, and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at a selection of documents and checked evidence of the suitability of staff working with the children. n A meeting was held between the inspector, the owner of the setting and the manager.

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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

26 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.

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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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