Smart Steps Nursery

Inspection of Smart Steps Nursery 10 Pound Bank Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 2DD

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children happily enter the setting, which shows they feel safe and secure. They confidently talk about their friends, the things they enjoy doing and their favourite books. They giggle as they describe a funny book the staff have shared with them and retell the story in their own words. Children sing songs cheerfully as they play and have weekly music sessions. Babies join in with actions to nursery rhymes and respond with pleasure to music as they explore their room.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is sequenced to build skills that prepare children for their next stage. Babies develop their physical skills and core strength as they roll pumpkins through tunnels and crawl after them. They pull themselves to stand and cruise around sturdy furniture and take their first steps in a safe environment. Older children have opportunities to develop their large- and small-muscle skills, indoors and out. They learn to climb up and down stairs safely, jump in puddles, ride balance bicycles, explore a range of challenging outdoor activities and join in with yoga sessions. Children develop small-muscle skills completing pegboard puzzles, modelling with play dough and mark making with various tools.

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need to do better?

n Children's verbal and non-verbal communications, including signs and gestures, are listened to and understood by staff. Babies babble and happily experiment with new sounds they can make. They blow raspberries and vocalise with staff and visitors. Two-year-olds express themselves confidently and the pre-school room buzzes with chatter as children talk to their friends and staff while playing. Staff use images to support children's communication and understanding. However, staff do not routinely provide plenty of opportunities for young children to practise their speaking skills clearly and for children with English as an additional language to use their first language. There is scope for staff to further develop and extend children's communication skills in some areas. n Key persons monitor children's development and plan for their next steps. Developmental delays are promptly identified and supported by staff, who have

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need to do better?

a wealth of experience and skills. Staff actively seek support from external professionals and work in partnership with them. This ensures children are receiving the specialist support they need. n Children are comforted and nurtured by their key persons, who respond to children's needs. Children have access to their comforters from home, such as soft toys and blankets, which helps them feel emotionally secure. n Behaviour and attitudes to learning are good. Children share toys with their friends, wait patiently for their turn, listen and respond to instructions and use good manners. Staff offer children lots of positive reinforcement and praise. They actively encourage children's independence and self-help skills. Children

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need to do better?

1 November 2022 love helping around the setting. Two-year-olds eagerly volunteer to help staff carry lunch boxes to the table, while pre-school children wash their own paint trays and brushes after painting. n Children are encouraged to live healthy lifestyles. Healthy snacks and fresh cooked meals are prepared on site by the nursery cook. Water is available throughout the day and children enjoy outdoor exercise daily. Staff ensure children wash their hands before eating. However, staff are not always excellent role models and do not utilise every opportunity to teach children about the importance of hygiene routines. For example, on occasions, some staff forget to wash their hands or do not remind children to wash theirs after wiping noses. n Parents speak highly about the individual care and attention their children receive. They value the two-way communication with staff and feel their opinions and voices are heard. Daily conversations and regular updates in

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need to do better?

children's online journals ensure parents are kept fully informed of children's activities and progress. Parents say their children are happy, safe and thriving. Parents of children with additional needs report high levels of support from staff and specialist services. n The manager has ambitious plans to improve the setting, including developing an outdoor classroom and children's clothing swap facility. Staff belong to a local community trade scheme to source equipment for the setting. Children take great delight in dressing as firefighters and playing with firefighter role play resources that have recently been sourced through this scheme.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The setting is safe and secure. All toys and equipment are in a safe and clean condition. The manager follows robust procedures to make sure that all staff are suitable to work with children, including ongoing suitability checks. Staff can identify the signs of child abuse and know who to inform if they have any concerns. Safe collection processes are in place to ensure children's safety. Children's attendance is closely monitored, and families are supported to help promote children's welfare.

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should:

n provide more opportunities for young children and children with English as an additional language to further develop and extend their communication skills n support staff to be excellent role models and fully utilise opportunities to teach children about the importance of hygiene routines.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2567278 Local authority Worcestershire Inspection number 10249067 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 36 Number of children on roll 46 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Early Years Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07375514113 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Smart Steps Nursery registered in 2020. The setting is located in a residential area of Malvern, in Worcestershire. The nursery employs 11 members of childcare staff; all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including two with level 6 qualifications. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at nursery. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Inspection activities

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 a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the 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

1 November 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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