Stepping Out

Inspection of Stepping Out Holy Innocents C Of E Church, The Vicarage 192a, Selhurst Road, London, Surrey SE25 6XX

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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 warmly welcomed into the setting by attentive and friendly staff. Children are quick to settle and eagerly choose an activity from the stimulating learning environment. They experiment when using the corn flour, commenting that it has lost its 'stickiness'. They collect items from their 'shop' with friends and enthusiastically push their trolley around. They learn to play cooperatively while sharing tools in the mud kitchen. Children form strong bonds with staff. They receive praise and encouragement throughout the day. This helps to build their self-esteem and confidence.

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The provision is good

Staff help each child to develop a good understanding of the behaviour and routines they expect in the setting. For example, sand timers are used to help children to take turns. Staff provide children with time and space to explore their feelings. For example, they help children to use a quiet, safe space if they need to calm down. Staff know children and their families well. They plan carefully for children's learning and for any areas of development that need support. Staff use what they know about children's needs and interests to organise the resources and activities to motivate children to learn. There are secure arrangements in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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need to do better?

n The manager has continued to develop the curriculum, welcoming support from the local authority. There is an interesting and ambitious curriculum for all children. She has ensured that improvements have been made to staff knowledge to support good teaching skills. For example, staff have attended training to support their knowledge of promoting good language and communication skills. n There are many opportunities for children to develop their independence. They learn to put on their coats and shoes. At snack time, children pour their own drinks and serve themselves. They make choices in their play and initiate activities, confidently filling up a watering can to water the flowers, for example. n Staff promote children's physical skills well. For example, older children learn to take measured risks when they climb the tree. Younger children practise balancing on the stepping stones, counting them as they walk. Children develop

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need to do better?

confidence in using various tools and equipment in their play, such as shape cutters and spades. They manipulate play dough to strengthen their hands and count how many holes they can make. n Staff are skilled at including all children during story time. Even the youngest children are encouraged to think and predict what comes next. Staff encourage conversations that support children's counting skills. For example, children enthusiastically count the doors and the little pigs. Staff promote children's

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need to do better?

12 September 2023 excitement when they search for the wolf. This helps children to develop a love of books. n Interactions between staff and children are kind and warm. Older children learn new vocabulary, such as cocoon and funnel. Staff use narration and repetition to promote younger children's communication skills. However, sometimes, staff give more attention to louder and more confident children. At these times, quieter and less confident children do not always benefit from staff's interactions to extend their play. n Staff provide resources and experiences to ignite children's imaginations. For example, they make sandcastles in the large outdoor sandpit. They make their own creations in the mud kitchen and pretend to mend the climbing frame with their construction tools. n Children learn about the importance of good health and hygiene routines. They confidently wash their hands appropriately and remember to rub their hands

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need to do better?

together. Children kindly show the new children how to put their paper towel in the bin. Staff talk to children about what is healthy to eat and the importance of brushing their teeth. Parents are provided with useful ideas of what food to put in their child's packed lunch to support their good health. n Successful partnerships are formed with parents. Overall, parents are complimentary about the setting. They report that their children settle well, saying that staff are supportive and friendly. They comment that their children's social skills and communication and language skills are developing well.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Children are well supervised. Robust procedures ensure that staff are suitable for their roles. Staff have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities to keep children safe. They know what to do if they are concerned about a child's welfare. They understand the procedures to follow should an allegation be made against a staff member. Staff ensure that the premises are secure so that children cannot leave unsupervised and any unauthorised visitors to the setting cannot gain entry.

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should:

n support staff to provide consistent interactions with quieter, less confident children, to maximise their learning and to help them remain fully engaged.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2498480 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 10261127 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 30 Number of children on roll 8 Name of registered person Emma's Preschoolers Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07818 753 397 Date of previous inspection 12 October 2022

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Information about this early years setting

Stepping Out registered in 2018. It is situated in a church hall in Norwood. It is open during term time, from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Four staff work with the children. They all hold qualifications at level 3. The pre-school provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 inspector and manager carried out a learning walk, inside and outside, to understand how the early years provision and the curriculum are organised. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and manager to observe the quality of teaching. n The inspector held discussions with children, staff and parents at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector looked at a sample of documentation. This included staff suitability checks and qualifications.

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Inspection activities

12 September 2023 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

12 September 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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