Early Steps Nursery School

Inspection of Early Steps Nursery School 483 Didsbury Road, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 3AY

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Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision requires improvement

The quality of education is variable in this nursery. Children enjoy the time they spend with the staff during 'circle times'. They talk keenly about what they are doing and display good levels of confidence. However, teaching is not always effective because staff do not let children have a go at tasks that will promote their learning further. For example, when older children complete a cutting activity, staff do not support them to use their newly learned skills to cut a hat for Santa. Staff do not have high enough expectations of what all children can achieve.

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The provision requires improvement

Despite the weaknesses. Children enjoy their time in this caring, clean, and safe nursery. Staff develop respectful relationships with children and their families. This helps children to settle in well. Staff greet children warmly and help them to engage in activities, such as reading books or building with interconnecting bricks. While children enjoy the activities on offer, the staff do not place enough focus on developing children's knowledge and skills beyond what they can already do. Since the last inspection leaders have worked hard to put in place a routine. Children understand the sequence of the day at nursery. They stop their play when the bell rings in anticipation of the next activity. However, children do not always follow the instructions staff give to tidy up. Staff do not always support children to develop positive attitudes towards their behaviour and learning. Leaders and staff have a

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The provision requires improvement

weak understanding of what children should learn and when.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and staff do not plan the curriculum precisely enough to help children achieve all they are capable of. Although staff interact well with children, learning is not always promoted. For instance, children and staff enjoy playing catch the 'teddy'. This enables the youngest children to learn their friends' names and how to throw and catch. However, this does not challenge older children who have already learned these skills. Staff fail to adapt their teaching, therefore not all children learn new skills and knowledge during their time at the nursery. n Leaders have made some improvements to the nursery since the last inspection. They have implemented a consistent routine to support children's positive behaviour. Children are learning that there are some boundaries in place. However, the teaching of acceptable behaviour is variable. Therefore, children run indoors and kick outdoor toys despite being asked not to. Children do not

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need to do better?

develop the self-regulation required to manage their own behaviour consistently. n Children are allocated a key person. Staff help children to build appropriate attachments that support their emotional well-being. However, staff do not have all the knowledge they need to be able to plan meaningful future learning. This means that children do not make consistently good progress in the seven areas

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need to do better?

7 December 2022 of learning and development. Furthermore, parents are not encouraged to be actively involved in the assessments of their children. Subsequently, they do not get enough feedback regarding their children's progress in preparation for school. n All staff have opportunities to discuss their well-being and any concerns they may have about children in supervision meetings. Staff feel well supported by leaders in their roles. Despite this, staff do not receive guidance that helps them to develop their teaching. Additionally, the supervision arrangements do not enable managers and leaders to ensure continuous improvements. This contributes to weaknesses in the quality of the education. n Communication and language is promoted. Staff are good role models. They tune into children's communication and encourage back and forth conversations. This means children are confident communicators. n Staff support children with special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND)

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need to do better?

to access the curriculum. Staff provide a range of strategies, such as a visual timetable and 'now and next' boards. The special educational needs coordinator works with the local authority team. Children with SEND receive appropriate support from other agencies. n Staff promote healthy lifestyles well. Children learn about the benefits of eating nutritious food served in the nursery. Children learn to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. This supports their continued good health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The designated safeguarding leads demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of a wide range of indicators of abuse and neglect. They know who to contact should they be concerned about the welfare of children or the suitability of an adult working with children. Staff access safeguarding training, this helps to keep their knowledge up to date. Parents are given information relating to local and national safeguarding concerns, such as keeping children safe online. Children are supervised effectively. Risks are appropriately minimised to keep children safe from harm. The nursery environment is clean and hygienic. Therefore, children's welfare is promoted.

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Due date

7 December 2022 provide an ambitious curriculum and improve teaching to ensure that all children are provided with sufficient challenge to help them build on what they already know and can do 20/02/2023

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Due date

ensure that the supervision arrangements for all staff, including leaders and managers, provide effective coaching, support and training to raise the quality of teaching and improve outcomes for all children. 20/02/2023

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should:

n provide all children with consistent messages to support their development of positive behaviour n involve parents in the assessment of their children and support them to guide their child's development at home.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY561932 Local authority Stockport Inspection number 10251446 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 30 Number of children on roll 28 Name of registered person Early Steps Nursery School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07813635167 Date of previous inspection 5 July 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Early Steps Nursery School registered in 2018 and is situated in Stockport. It operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The nursery employs 12 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, and six hold level 3. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the setting. 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. n Children spoke to/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff 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 spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

7 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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