Developing steps Nursery

Inspection of Developing steps Nursery 516 Romford Road, Forest Gate, London E7 8AF

p.1

Overall effectiveness Requires improvement

The quality of education Requires improvement Behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement Personal development Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

p.1

The provision requires improvement

Leaders and staff do not always plan effectively to cater to the individual needs of each child, which results in a lack of engagement, particularly among older children. As a result, some children tend to become easily distracted and move from one activity to another without deriving any significant learning benefits. The lack of an ambitious curriculum impedes on the learning and development of some children. Additionally, leaders have not taken enough action on the recommendations made during the last inspection to ensure that the quality of the provision continually improves. For example, staff's assessment of individual children's progress is still not precise enough to ensure that their next steps in learning are accurate. As a result, some children are not developing to their fullest potential.

p.2

The provision requires improvement

Despite these weaknesses, staff serve as positive role models, and children behave well. Staff provide a consistent and calm approach towards managing children's behaviour, which helps to promote the emotional well-being of children. Children make some progress from their starting points in learning. Children have opportunities to engage in a range of activities, and develop affectionate relationships with the staff. They explore the nursery and initiate their own play. The daily routines provide some opportunities for children to engage in small-group activities and one-to-one play. For instance, during circle time, children learn to listen, sit still, and take turns to select the songs and rhymes they want to sing.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff do not have an accurate knowledge and understanding of children's stages of development and their next steps in learning. This means that planned activities and play opportunities do not always support children's learning to help them make the progress they are capable of. For example, children of varying ages participate in the same painting and play dough activity, without staff providing more challenge for the most-able children to extend their focus and meet their learning needs. n The quality of teaching is inconsistent. The current supervision procedures are not robust enough to identify and address weaknesses in staff's teaching practice. Staff do not consistently provide enough support to help children to think and communicate their ideas effectively. Some children find it hard to understand the language used and questions asked by the staff, which makes it difficult for them to respond. However, staff provide activities for children to

p.2

need to do better?

practise their writing skills, such as painting and mark making with chalk. They read stories that foster children's interest in books. n Staff are experienced, yet lack confidence in identifying the learning objectives of adult-led activities. For instance, during a planting activity, children of varying

p.2

need to do better?

24 April 2024 ages participate. While they enjoy the activity, they do not fully understand what is expected of them or how it relates to raising their awareness of things that grow. Furthermore, the activity's objective was not linked to any identified next step in learning for the children who were participating. n Staff praise the children for their achievements, which, in turn, helps to build children's confidence. They divert children from emerging disagreements, such as sharing toys. Children are well behaved and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure with the staff. Older children take responsibility for their own care needs during daily routines. For example, they wash their hands after messy play and before meals. Children gain some skills that prepare them for school. n Children enjoy the time they spend outdoors, and this successfully develops their physical skills. They enjoy climbing to the top of large apparatus and pushing

p.2

need to do better?

themselves along on wheeled toys. Regular visits to local community places, such as parks, shops and the library, help children to learn about risks and the world around them. n Staff do not always keep parents fully informed about their children's progress and next steps in learning to maintain consistency in learning. However, parents are pleased with the care provided at the nursery. They mention that their children are always eager to attend and enjoy meeting their friends and the staff. n Important records relating to the management of the setting, including the progress check for two-year-old children and staff signing-in records, are not easily accessible for inspection. Leaders do not ensure that records are available at all times to support the efficient organisation of the nursery.

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

p.3

Due date

24 April 2024 improve staff's understanding of assessment processes to ensure that they have an accurate knowledge of children's development, and use this information to plan challenging experiences that build on children's skills and help them to make consistently good progress 26/06/2024

p.3

Due date

support children's understanding and communication skills consistently, using developmentally appropriate language 26/06/2024

p.4

Due date

develop a regular two-way exchange of information with parents regarding children's development, to enable consistency and continuity in their learning 26/06/2024

p.4

Due date

plan a more effective programme of professional development to improve staff's understanding of how to extend children's learning and raise the quality of teaching to a consistently good level. 26/06/2024

p.4

should:

n develop strategies to help children to focus on activities and concentrate for longer periods n improve the organisation of records to ensure that they are accessible and available at all times, to support the safe and efficient management of the setting.

p.4

Setting details

Unique reference number EY497843 Local authority Newham Inspection number 10335041 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.5

Registers

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

p.5

inspection

Total number of places 50 Number of children on roll 20 Name of registered person The Enchanted Castle (Day Nursery) Limited

p.5

reference number

Telephone number 02085526777 Date of previous inspection 1 June 2018

p.5

Information about this early years setting

Developing Steps Nursery registered in 2016. It is located in Forest Gate, in the London Borough of Newham. The nursery operates from 7.30am to 6pm every weekday, for most of the year. The provider employs three members of staff, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications at level 3 and above. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

p.5

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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the nursery. 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 talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual and the manager about the leadership and management of the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this had on children's learning. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a planned activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views.

p.6

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.6

Inspection activities

24 April 2024 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.6

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.7

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.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7

Inspection activities

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

p.7