First Steps Twerton Children's centre

Inspection of First Steps Twerton Children's centre Woodhouse Road, Bath, Avon BA2 1SY

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 arrive happy and show an eagerness to go into nursery to start their busy day. Leaders and staff enthusiastically greet children as they arrive, helping them to settle into their play quickly. Children form strong, secure and trusting relationships with the staff who care for them. The youngest children cuddle into staff to share stories or for comfort when they are tired. Older children are keen to involve staff in their games.

p.2

The provision is good

Leaders and staff have high expectations for all children. They implement a curriculum that focuses on children developing their independence and gaining the skills that they need for the next stages in their learning, such as confidence and social skills. The curriculum is well understood and implemented throughout the nursery. Children are keen and confident to explore the wide range of interesting activities and resources that staff provide for them. Older children enjoy working together to make a boat in the role play area. They excitedly talk about the journey they will take using a map. Children enjoy learning how to care for animals. Staff remind them to be gentle as they help to feed and bath the chicks. Children benefit from lots of fresh air and exercise. They enjoy being outside and staff support children's need to be physical. Children enjoy climbing, sliding down the hill and chasing their friends in the garden.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders and staff work well as a team. They have a shared passion for providing children with lots of opportunities and experiences. Leaders help staff to access training and take part in projects which benefit children and enhance their learning. For instance, staff have recently been learning about involving children in science. Children have been taking part in science experiments, exploring different materials and developing their curiosity. Staff feel that this has encouraged children to be more inquisitive. n Children receive good support to help them to develop their communication and language skills. Staff use a range of strategies with children to help them to learn to communicate their needs, even if they have not yet developed the language to do so. Even the youngest children confidently use gestures to tell staff when they want more food or a drink. Staff act as good role models. They introduce new vocabulary and encourage children to join in with conversations.

p.2

need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are strong and well established. Leaders and staff work closely with children's parents to get to know children's individual needs and experiences so that they can provide the right support for children and their families. Parents say that they are very happy with the care given to their children. Staff keep parents informed about their children's progress. They work together with professionals to access support such as interpreters and advice on

p.2

need to do better?

30 April 2024 issues such as housing. Furthermore, leaders work with the local shops to access food to provide a food bank for parents to use. n The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) works closely with parents, other professionals and staff as she oversees the needs and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The SENCo accesses help through making referrals and by supporting staff to put strategies in place for children to help them to make better progress. Leaders work with staff and the SENCo to ensure that additional funding is well targeted to the needs of the children. Children with SEND make good progress from their starting points. n Overall, children behave well. They listen to staff and learn to share and to take turns with the resources with the support of staff. However, during some transition times, such as when children are coming in from the garden, children

p.2

need to do better?

struggle to manage their feelings. They get frustrated and struggle when the environment is loud and busy, and this impacts their behaviour. n Staff know the children well. They closely monitor and assess children's progress to plan for children's next steps in learning. Most staff are skilled at interacting with children and delivering their curriculum. However, some staff need more support to help them to recognise when children need more encouragement to participate with activities.

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

should:

n develop the organisation of some routines to prevent children from feeling overwhelmed during busy times n provide some staff with the support needed, to help them to recognise when children need encouragement to engage and participate with activities.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY268656 Local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council Inspection number 10343482 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 71 Number of children on roll 116 Name of registered person First Steps (Bath)

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01225 444791 Date of previous inspection 23 August 2018

p.4

Information about this early years setting

First Steps Twerton Children's Centre registered in 2004. The nursery employs 24 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to 6, including one with qualified teacher status. The nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year. It 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 the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. 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, parents and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. 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 inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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

30 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.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