Stepping Stones Day Nursery

Inspection of Stepping Stones Day Nursery 192 Leigh Road, Worsley, MANCHESTER M28 1LW

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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 Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children are happy, safe and contented at this welcoming nursery. Babies beam and grin as they shake musical instruments in time with music and song. They concentrate and persevere as they construct towers from cans. Babies develop the small muscles in their hands as they learn to turn the pages and lift the flaps in their favourite book. They laugh as they make the noises of the animals they find. Older children relish opportunities to get messy as they produce unique works of art. They scream with delight as they undertake science experiments. As children add ingredients to beakers and the bubbles overflow, children exclaim 'it's fizzing and bubbling'. They use knowledge from prior learning to recreate the reaction, mixing colours and scents to enhance the sensory experience.

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The provision is good

Children develop both their strength and confidence during outdoor play. They squelch through mud, climb trees, negotiate obstacle courses they create and swing from the tyre swing. This helps children learn to challenge themselves and take managed risks. Children benefit from experiences and outings in the local area. They visit the library, which helps to embed a love of reading. They also visit a retirement home where they perform songs for the residents and learn about the residents' own childhoods. Children are well supported to make good progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers have taken prompt and effective action to address the areas for improvement highlighted at the previous inspection. As a result, new staff receive a comprehensive induction programme before they start working with children. This ensures that they have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the most important policies and procedures, which helps keep children safe. n Staff talk positively about the support and care they receive from the management team. They benefit from meaningful training, development and support. This has enhanced the quality of the education that staff provide. Staff plan challenging and enjoyable experiences that support the unique ways in which children learn. n Staff have high aspirations of all children and are committed to implementing the nursery's curriculum to the best of their abilities. As a result, children make strong progress from their starting points. Staff provide a rich and varied

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need to do better?

curriculum which prepares children well for their eventual move to school. n Leaders have a focus on supporting children's communication and language development. Staff read to children regularly, sing familiar nursery rhymes and use a rich and varied vocabulary. This introduces new terminology, which children go on to use in their play. However, leaders have not yet fully helped all

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need to do better?

14 March 2023 staff understand the importance of pronunciation. This means children are not hearing words said correctly, including all the sounds that make up each word, which is necessary for the development of good speaking skills. n Staff support children well to develop their independence skills. Older children benefit from taking on roles of responsibility, such as setting the table at mealtimes and tidying up after play. Staff support younger children to keep trying as they put on and take off their own shoes and coats. Children can pour their own drinks and serve their own meals with ease from a young age. n Children learn from the kind staff team how to be considerate of others. They learn to recognise their own emotions and use the strategies taught to them by staff to manage how they feel. Children are polite, well-mannered and caring towards others, which helps them make firm friends at nursery.

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need to do better?

n Leaders ensure that staff provide children with a curriculum that helps develop their understanding of the wider world. However, staff do not consistently support children to understand and value their own heritage or that of the local community to prepare them even better for life in modern Britain. n Parents are extremely complimentary about the meaningful communication they receive from the nursery about the progress their children make. They praise the close partnership working with staff when supporting children's health and dietary needs. Parents demonstrate the effective ways the nursery extends children's learning to home. For example, they are encouraged to help children complete mini storybook reviews. Parents say that the nursery staff contribute directly to their children's increased self-confidence and independence.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Leaders have a clear knowledge and understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. Rigorous procedures are in place to ensure the suitability of staff, both at the point of recruitment and on an ongoing basis. Staff are alert to factors which may make them worried about a child. They receive regular training and in- house updates to keep their knowledge current. Staff know how to report any concerns they may have for a child. Staff and leaders alike understand what may raise concerns about the behaviour of a colleague and the procedure to follow if there is such a concern. All those working at the nursery also know what to do if they feel a colleague is failing to act on any safeguarding concerns.

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should:

n help children to develop a greater understanding of their own cultural heritage and that of those in the local community n consistently provide children with the correct pronunciation of words to help

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should:

14 March 2023 further enhance their speaking skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY484087 Local authority Salford Inspection number 10243324 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 47 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01617994932 Date of previous inspection 29 April 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Stepping Stones Day Nursery registered in 2014. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 3 or above, including one member of staff with early years professional status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7am until 6pm.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector spoke to children, to find out about their time at the setting. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. 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 manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

14 March 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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