Stepping Stone Nursery

Inspection of Stepping Stone Nursery Church Hall, Church of God, Green Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands B62 9LN

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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

Management and staff have high expectations for all children to be happy, settled and for them to make good progress in their development. Children arrive and settle quickly and are happy when their parents leave. They demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. They are not fazed by visitors and happily engage them in their play ideas. They gain confidence through everyday routines at the setting. This supports children when they transition to their next stage of learning.

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The provision is good

Children improve their hand-to-eye coordination and strengthen the small muscles in their hands. They engage in activities such as drawing around shapes, mark making with paint and different-sized paintbrushes, and exploring different textures. For instance, toddlers explore different textures in the sensory trays, such as rice and sand. They collect the sand and rice using spoons to fill their containers. Additionally, they learn important mathematical language, such as 'heavy', 'light', 'empty' and 'full'. Staff support children to develop an understanding of number through regular counting of objects. This promotes children's understanding of important mathematical concepts.

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The provision is good

Children behave well and develop good friendships with each other. They have a good understanding of the expectations for their behaviour and follow the rules, such as turn taking and sharing resources. They eagerly follow instructions and help one another to tidy away the resources before they move on to the next activity.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum covers all areas of learning. All staff receive regular supervision, and they are provided with regular training, mentoring and coaching. However, staff who are new at the setting would benefit from more highly focused training. This training would help them to understand the curriculum intentions for all children and further develop their teaching skills. n Staff collect information from parents when their child first starts to attend, to help them plan a curriculum that embeds their child's likes and interests. This information also ensures that the dietary, cultural and medical needs of children are met. All children make good progress from their starting points. n Children's independence skills are very well supported. Older children manage their own toileting needs and know to wash and dry their hands. Staff encourage children to put on their coats and attempt fasteners. They offer

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need to do better?

children an abundance of praise for their efforts, which builds on their confidence in their own abilities. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Staff build strong relationships with other professionals and parents and

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need to do better?

1 February 2023 work closely with them to put extra support in place for children with SEND, to improve their learning. n The nursery environment is bright, clean, warm and inviting. Overall, children enjoy activities and experiences that are new and exciting. They are motivated and curious to learn. However, staff have yet to consider ways to enable children to extend their imaginative and creative skills through role play. For instance, additional resources to fully support children's imaginary play, which captivate and challenge their interests further, are few. n Staff support communication and language effectively. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported well. For instance, staff use pictorial cards so that all children can follow the routine of the day and know what comes next. Staff make good use of singing and nursery rhymes to widen children's vocabulary. Children demonstrate good listening skills and follow

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need to do better?

instructions well. They delight in joining in with action songs and taking part in circle time. n Parents speak very highly of the staff and the relationships they build with families. They are kept up to date with their child's progress through the online system. They are given suggestions as to how they can support their children at home. Multilingual staff are on hand to support families using their home language. Staff enhance their understanding of complex documents and signpost them to the relevant support.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The provider places a strong focus on safeguarding. All staff have undertaken safeguarding training. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of how to identify potential child protection concerns and confidently share what they will do to safeguard children. They know the procedures to report concerns about the conduct of a colleague and in the event of an allegation against a member of staff. Robust recruitment and vetting procedures help to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. Staff routinely check all areas of the setting to make sure they are safe for children to use.

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should:

n support staff to continue to develop their knowledge and implementation of the curriculum, including their teaching skills n expand the range of role-play resources to enable all children to explore and develop their own play and ideas.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2654805 Local authority Dudley Inspection number 10275763 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 40 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Daffodils Nursery Ltd.

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reference number

Telephone number 07986296853 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Stepping Stone Nursery registered in 2021. The setting operates Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm. The setting employs three members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate qualifications from level 2 to level 6. The setting receives funding to provide free early years education for two- and three-year-old children.

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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 deputy 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 staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector carried out joint observations of activities taking place with the deputy manager. n The inspector talked to parents 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 February 2023 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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