Steps to School

Inspection of Steps to School BOROUGH GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL, School Approach, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 8JZ

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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

Babies show high levels of curiosity as they explore their environment. They move freely around the room, engaging in a variety of sensory experiences. This shows babies feel safe and secure. Staff are attentive and cheerful as they interact with babies. For example, babies become highly excited when staff engage in playing 'peekaboo'. This helps children to build positive relationships.

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The provision is good

Children develop good social skills. Staff provide opportunities for them to engage in back-and-forth conversations with their friends during their play. For example, while children are building sand castles, they actively share the resources and work out how to take turns to ensure it is fair. As a result, children play harmoniously together and are keen to share their thoughts and ideas.

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The provision is good

Children are active learners. Staff encourage them to be curious about the world we live in. For example, while exploring the outdoor space, children become fascinated in looking for insects using a magnifying glass. Staff facilitate this experience by encouraging children to look in the mud and the flowers. They are in the process of creating a designated habitat for bugs. This shows how staff support children to extend their knowledge about the natural world.

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need to do better?

n Staff know the children very well. They talk confidently about children's current areas of development and follow children's interests to engage them in different learning opportunities. For example, children enjoy dancing and listening to music. Staff ensure this activity is part of their daily routine. Overall, children are making good progress in their learning. n Staff support children to develop their independence skills. For example, younger children are learning to feed themselves. Pre-school children enjoy helping to clear the table after mealtimes. This gives children a sense of responsibility. However, the organisation of lunchtime means some staff spend time prioritising other tasks, such as setting up beds. This means staff are not able to fully engage children in the learning opportunities that arise at mealtimes. n Staff provide opportunities for children to engage in physical exercise. Children

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need to do better?

access the outdoor space, where they engage in a variety of physical activities. For example, they practise balancing as they step along the blocks. This helps children to build on their core strength. n Staff support children in developing healthy lifestyles. Children show good hygiene routines as they wash their hands before eating. The setting provides children with nutritious hot meals and snacks. Staff accommodate children's dietary requirements, ensuring they are followed. This gives children

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need to do better?

25 April 2023 opportunities to try new foods, encouraging them to develop a healthy, balanced diet. n Staff help children to develop their awareness of different occupations. For example, children have opportunities to learn about hairdressers. They engage in role play as they use brushes and pretend shampoo to style the hair of dolls. However, the dolls that children play with do not reflect the diversity of children who attend the setting or who live in the wider world. Therefore, this limits children's knowledge of the similarities and differences in their own and others' heritage. n Staff provide good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They work closely with external professionals, including health visitors and specialist teachers. This ensures children with SEND receive the support they need to make progress in their learning and development. n Parents speak very highly of the staff. They feel well informed about their child's

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need to do better?

progress and activities through daily feedback and meetings. Parents feel their children have made significant progress since attending this setting. They describe staff as 'supportive' and 'nurturing'. Overall, staff have positive partnerships with parents. n The manager reflects regularly on staff practice and has identified areas that require improvements. She works closely with her team to ensure children's well-being is paramount. The manager has good support systems in place for her team. As a result, staff morale is high, and they feel well supported by the manager.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

The manager and staff have good safeguarding knowledge. They complete safeguarding training regularly and engage in frequent conversations to discuss any safeguarding concerns. This ensures staff knowledge is kept up to date. Staff gave some examples of potential signs and symptoms of abuse, including recognising disclosures from children. They know what to do if they have concerns regarding a children's safety and welfare. The manager knows who to contact if an allegation is made against herself or a member of staff. The manager has robust recruitment procedures in place to ensure suitability checks are carried out.

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should:

n improve daily routines to ensure staff are effectively deployed to support children's learning n reflect the culture and diversity of the children attending the nursery, to help them make connections between their own and others' heritage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY357595 Local authority Kent Inspection number 10280536 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 54 Number of children on roll 88

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Name of registered person

Borough Green Primary School Governing Body

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reference number

Telephone number 01732 780431 Date of previous inspection 24 August 2017

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Information about this early years setting

Steps to School registered in 2007 and is located on the grounds of Borough Green Primary School. The setting operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. The setting employs 22 members of staff. One holds a level 6 qualification, nine hold a level 3 qualification and two hold a level 2 qualification. The setting is in receipt funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years old.

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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 manager 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 The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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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

25 April 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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