Playsteps Day Nursery

Inspection of Playsteps Day Nursery The Hub, Church Place, Swindon, Wiltshire SN1 5EH

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in this inclusive setting. They have eager staff on hand who know them and celebrate their achievements. Children enjoy engaging activities planned towards their individual interests and next steps. Children develop close and trusting bonds with the staff, who have a caring and friendly manner. This helps to create a good foundation for children's future development. Children behave very well and talk respectfully of staying out of other children's 'bubbles'. Staff are positive role models and have high expectations of the children's behaviour.

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The provision is good

Staff interact warmly with children during care routines such as nappy changes and while washing hands. They talk about what they are doing with the children, make eye contact and sing songs. This helps children to feel safe and secure.

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The provision is good

Staff encourage children to be independent. Children learn to pour their own drinks and use a knife safely to butter their own crackers. Children manage their own personal hygiene, for example wiping their noses. Children serve their own food and talk sociably to their friends and staff members.

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The provision is good

Children of all ages have access to a well-resourced forest area. Children delightedly explore and relish in the positive interactions from staff. Children have an excellent understanding of risk. The older children are responsible for carrying out safety checks.

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need to do better?

n Children have access to a good outdoor environment. This helps to promote their physical development, and they demonstrate good progress in this area. For example, older children climb into a hammock and become more confident as they try to navigate the uneven ground. Toddlers develop their balance as they jump from scattered logs. In the baby room, staff are proactive to ensure children are ready to take their first few steps. They encourage babies to climb the steps and slide down safely. n Staff have ambitious aspirations for all children. They quickly raise any possible risk of delay with parents and other professionals. This helps children to get the support they need as soon as possible. n Overall, children's communication and language are well supported, including children with a speech delay and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff introduce new words to widen children's vocabulary.

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need to do better?

They talk to children as they play and ask questions. However, staff in the toddler room do not always support this area, and interactions are weaker in this room.

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need to do better?

5 December 2022 n Relationships are warm in the baby room. Staff know the children very well and gather information from parents effectively. The curriculum is clear, and staff have a good understanding of what they want children to learn. n Leaders and staff use their close observations of children well. They identify how children learn best and plan sequenced learning experiences that build on what children already know. For example, children manipulate dough and use tools. This helps to develop the muscles they will need for later writing. n Parents express high levels of satisfaction with the setting. They state that their children enjoy attending, and they are pleased with their progress. Parents comment that staff are 'caring', 'supportive' and 'welcoming'. The communication with staff is regular, and parents feel well involved in their children's learning. n The experienced management team shows commitment to improving the

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need to do better?

nursery. Staff are happy in their role and receive support from the management team on a regular basis. The managers ensure that staff receive regular training and supervision. n The manager ensures that additional funding, such as early years pupil premium, is well used to promote the well-being and learning of individual children. n All children, including children with SEND, make good progress. The leadership team works closely with the local authority, staff, parents and external professionals, using assessments of children's individual needs. Staff implement children's individual education plans to close any gaps in children's learning. n Children are allocated a key person to support their emotional needs. However, at times, the manager does not manage staff absences to further promote continuity in supporting children's emotional well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff understand the importance of keeping children safe. They are able to describe the signs and symptoms of abuse that might cause concern, and they know the procedures to follow should they need to report concerns about a child's welfare. Staff are knowledgeable about a wide range of safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation, county lines and children being exposed to extreme views. There are thorough procedures and checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. Staff teach children how to stay safe online. Staff supervise children closely and provide a secure environment to ensure that children remain safe.

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should:

n strengthen the key-person system to ensure that staff absence does not impact

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should:

5 December 2022 children's well-being n support staff to develop the quality and consistency of their interactions with children to provide more opportunities for children to think, speak and express themselves.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY321164 Local authority Swindon Inspection number 10234995 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 65 Number of children on roll 87 Name of registered person Playsteps Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07973 619 406 Date of previous inspection 9 February 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Playsteps Day Nursery registered in 2006. It is located in central Swindon, in Wiltshire. The nursery opens each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round, with the exception of one week between Christmas and New Year. The nursery is in receipt of funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are 17 staff working with the children; of these, one holds an early years qualification at level 6, one holds a qualification at level 5, 11 hold a qualification at level 3, and four are qualified at level 2.

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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 inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. 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 looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want their children to learn.

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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

5 December 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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