Footsteps Wilmslow

Inspection of Footsteps Wilmslow Tudor Road, Dean Row, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 2HB

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children are greeted by caring and happy staff. They have lovely bonds with their key person, which helps them to feel safe, secure and ready to learn. Children settle quickly and confidently move throughout the nursery as a result of carefully planned transitions. All children engage in exciting, hands-on sensory activities. They are inclusive and carefully thought out to inspire children to learn through play. Children are encouraged to use all of their senses in play and learning. Babies explore new and edible textures with their hands and feet, such as yoghurt, berries and cereal. Toddlers mix together fruit cocktails, exploring real fruits using tweezers. They learn the names for fruits and about healthy snacks. Older toddlers learn sign language for favourite songs and words. They are immensely proud as they confidently show the inspector their new skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Children's behaviour is very good. They cooperate and hold hands as they walk through the building. Children form friendships with each other and delight in the many opportunities to join in and have a go at new and exciting experiences. From a young age, children follow 'golden rules', which helps them to learn positive behaviours. They delight in getting praise and recognition for their achievements from their key person and other staff who also know them very well. All children are making good progress in relation to their starting points.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff develop children's communication skills well. They show genuine interest in children and pose well-thought-out questions to enhance children's knowledge. Staff interacting with babies ensure they are at children's eye level and use engaging facial expressions. Staff talking with younger children encourage speaking by offering single words. They also prompt them to have a go at saying new words. Those working with older children seek out their opinion. Staff ask children questions that promote longer and more thoughtful answers. This helps children to think for themselves and builds on their language skills and understanding very well. n Children have many opportunities to learn about the world in which they live. Fire fighters and farmers along with farm animals visit the nursery. Favourite story characters come to sing songs with the toddlers. Older children visit care homes for the elderly and local garden centres. Rich, hands-on experiences

p.2

need to do better?

spark curiosity and provide children with memorable learning. Children learn about various cultural events that their peers celebrate and festivals that are more unfamiliar. This broadens children's knowledge about people and communities different to their own. n Staff know their key children very well. They have accurate knowledge of children's progress in learning and identify specific areas that need further

p.2

need to do better?

24 November 2022 support. They plan children's next steps in learning well. Staff show great enthusiasm as they talk about their key children's achievements and interests with parents and other professionals. n Parents regard the nursery highly. They get regular updates about the activities their children participate in and are informed about their children's progress in learning. Parents receive ideas from staff to help them in further supporting their child's learning at home. They appreciate the sessions organised to meet staff and join in with activities their children enjoy. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Staff work with other professionals appropriately. They ensure they support children's individual needs and follow education and care plans. Staff interweave specific support and teaching for children with SEND into learning for all children.

p.2

need to do better?

n Overall, opportunities for children to learn how to carry out activities for themselves are provided within the curriculum. For example, toddlers learn to find their shoes and practise peeling citrus fruit. They have opportunities to learn useful skills for the future. However, staff working with older children sometimes carry out tasks that children could attempt for themselves. Some new skills are not used and practised frequently within the routine. n Children who prefer to learn outdoors are supported well. They seek out calm spaces in the fresh air to enjoy books together. Children also develop their physical skills through climbing and running within the outdoor space. Staff plan activities that enable children to maximise their time outdoors. This helps children to learn more about nature. Furthermore, they develop positive attitudes to being outside in all weather.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

Staff are confident in their safeguarding knowledge. They know how to immediately report any concerns about children's welfare or colleagues' misconduct. Leaders act sensitively to any concerns raised and know how to refer their concerns to the relevant authorities. All new staff receive an induction about health and safety in the nursery, which helps them to understand their role in keeping children safe. The ongoing suitability of staff is checked. Staff have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss personal and work-related concerns that could impact their ability to carry out their job. The premises is safe, hygienic and secure.

p.3

should:

n plan more frequent opportunities for older children to practise their independence skills, enabling them to carry out more activities for themselves.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY409494 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 10235405 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 92 Number of children on roll 167 Name of registered person Footsteps Children's Day Nurseries Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01625521345 Date of previous inspection 19 January 2017

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Footsteps Nursery registered in 2010. The nursery employs 29 members of childcare staff. Of these, three hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6 and 11 with early years qualifications at level 3. The nursery is open Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the nursery received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and has taken this into account in their evaluation of the nursery. n The acting manager led the inspector on a learning walk and explained how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n Discussions were held with staff, parents and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector observed practice in all rooms and evaluated the quality of activities in the toddler room together with the acting manager. n The inspector looked at documents, including staff qualifications, paediatric first- aid certificates and evidence to demonstrate the suitability of staff. n The inspector tracked the experiences of children to determine the progress they make. n Meetings were held with the acting manager to discuss their evaluation of the

p.5

Inspection activities

provision and the impact on children's progress.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

24 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6