Mini Steps Daycare Nursery

Inspection of Mini Steps Daycare Nursery 70-78 Collingdon Street, Luton LU1 1RX

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and are keen to come into the nursery. They separate from their parents at the door, where they are warmly welcomed by friendly staff. Children quickly form warm and trusting relationships with their designated key persons. This helps them to settle and feel secure. Outdoor learning is especially enjoyed by both babies and children. They have many opportunities to explore, be active and to sit quietly sharing books with adults. Children play and share with each other and are forming strong friendships. They listen and respond well to staff, who are always close by to offer children support. This results in children's behaviour being very good.

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The provision is good

The managers and staff are aware of the needs of children in their local area. They design the curriculum well, considering the many children who speak English as an additional language and those who have little access to outdoors at home. Teaching is sequenced throughout the nursery, This helps to prepare children for their future learning and the eventual move on to school. Babies have time and space to explore the well-planned environment. Older children are leaning how to write their names and developing a good understanding of mathematical concepts.

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need to do better?

n Staff find out key information about children when they start to attend. Key persons are assigned from the outset and they hold in-depth discussions with parents. Staff then complete their own observations and assessments to secure their knowledge of what children can already do. They use this information to help understand and meet their key children's individual needs. Leaders make swift referrals to other professionals when they become concerned about a child's development. This helps to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive the timely and specialist help they require. n Staff provide a language-rich environment full of songs, rhymes and stories. Those working with babies sing nursery rhymes and share books throughout the day. Older children enjoy listening to stories and engage in meaningful conversations and discussions. Staff support the many children who speak

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need to do better?

English as an additional language well. They take the time to get to know key words and phrases in their home language and use these to aid communication. All children are developing strong speaking and listening skills. n Parents are keen to have an input into the inspection. They speak very positively about the nursery, saying their children receive high-quality care and education. Parents say staff keep them regularly informed about their children's development and they know how to help with their learning at home. n All staff show enthusiasm and commitment to their role. Overall, they interact effectively with children and are skilful at responding to them during play to

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need to do better?

6 June 2024 build on the learning they see taking place. However, the organisation of group activities is not always as well thought out. For instance, some of these times are too long and children become quite fidgety and lose focus. At other times, for the younger pre-school children, the teaching is not always developmentally appropriate. For example, staff hold up shapes and expect children as young as two years to name them. n Staff know the children and their families well. They find out about children's cultural backgrounds and discover as much as they can about families and communities. However, staff do not always use their acquired knowledge as effectively as they could. Consequently, children do not yet receive rich experiences to enable them to truly understand what makes them unique and what they have in common with each other. n The strong leadership and management team have a clear vision for continual

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need to do better?

improvement. They ensure staff receive regular support through supervision meetings and undertaking continuous professional development. Staff report these opportunities have a positive impact on their teaching, knowledge and skills. Staff feel valued by the leadership team and this impacts positively on their well-being.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

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

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should:

n review the organisation and teaching offered through group times with an aim to consistently support all children to sustain high levels of learning and engagement n extend opportunities to support children to understand and celebrate their similarities and differences and to learn more about each other's families and communities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2668585 Local authority Luton Inspection number 10344262 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 45 Number of children on roll 86 Name of registered person Mini Steps Daycare Nursery Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01582965917 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Mini Steps Daycare Nursery registered in 2022. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, seven hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and one at level 5. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery receives funding for the provision of early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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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 her evaluations. n The inspector and manager looked around the setting and talked about how the curriculum is planned and implemented. n The inspector observed the quality of education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. She completed a joint observation with the manager. n The provider, manager and inspector met to discuss the leadership and management of the setting. The inspector looked at relevant documents, including evidence of the suitability checks carried out on staff and safeguarding and complaints procedures. n The inspector spoke to a number of parents, staff and children during the inspection and took account of their views.

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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

6 June 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.

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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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