Positive Steps Childcare LTD

Inspection of Positive Steps Childcare LTD Positive Steps Childcare Ltd, 4 Loudon Street, Derby DE23 8ER

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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 Not applicable

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The provision requires improvement

Children enter the setting confidently and are greeted warmly by staff. They settle quickly as they join in their favourite activities. Staff are caring and nurturing towards children. As children play, staff support their communication and language development. For example, staff playfully interact with children, ask them questions and listen carefully to identify what each child knows. Children learn about the world around them as staff walk them to the park. When children discover a squirrel, staff ask them questions to help them recall previous learning. Staff promote children's understanding of daily routines and good hygiene practices. Children know to wash their hands and sit at the table ready for snack time.

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The provision requires improvement

Children eagerly explore the activities on offer. Staff support them as they access different activities. Children explore paint and collage materials as they create cards for their families to celebrate Eid. They develop the small muscles in their hands as they tip and pour sand into a variety of containers. However, staff are not always clear about what they want the children to learn from activities or how they can support their individual learning. The manager does not recognise the weaknesses in staff teaching or provide enough support to help them improve their skills. Consequently, children are not consistently supported to make the best possible progress.

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need to do better?

n Overall, the manager is keen to improve and enhance the setting. However, she does not identify the weaknesses in staff practice or provide them with the coaching, support and training they need. Staff are unclear about the manager's intent for children's learning. Although staff generally engage with children as they play, they do not consistently support their next steps in learning and help them build on what they already know. n Children generally behave well. For instance, they follow staff instructions as they prepare to go outside. However, some staff are not clear when sharing their expectations of the children. For example, they do not talk to children about safe walking as they make their way to the park. When some children struggle to walk in line, staff react and redirect them rather than gently explaining their expectations and reasons why these are necessary. n Staff provide a range of activities to help children build their physical skills. For

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need to do better?

example, children move and stretch in time to music. They develop their coordination and balance as they dance and join in the actions of familiar rhymes. However, at present, the outdoor area is still being developed and is not in use. While staff take some children on a daily walk, not all children currently access the outdoors to help benefit their health and well-being. n The manager and her deputy seek advice from other professionals to support

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need to do better?

13 June 2024 children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They develop individual development plans to help support children to make progress. However, staff sometimes overlook children with SEND and do not always give them the level of support they need to make the progress they are capable of. n Staff work well with parents. Parents are complimentary about the friendly, caring and calm staff. They know their child's key person and receive information at the end of each day on what their child has learned and the progress they are making. Parents say the manager and her staff encourage them to help their children learn at home by suggesting activities. Staff offer advice on potty training to help children develop these skills at home. n Staff support children to build their independence skills. Children are helped to serve themselves healthy snacks and pour their drinks. Children are encouraged

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need to do better?

to make independent choices as they select their favourite activities. They confidently collect their lunch boxes, sit at the table and open them independently. These activities help children to prepare for the next stage of their education.

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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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Due date

ensure staff receive robust coaching, support and training to enhance their understanding of the curriculum and improve their teaching practice. 12/07/2024

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should:

n strengthen staff interactions with children to role model how they expect children to behave and sensitively share expectations n strengthen daily routines to promote all children's health and well-being n strengthen support for children with SEND.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2747438 Local authority Derby Inspection number 10354110 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 23 Number of children on roll 38 Name of registered person Positive Steps Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07747468926 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Positive Steps Childcare LTD re-registered in 2023 is located in Derby. The setting employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The setting opens from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The nursery provides funded 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 provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children spoke/communicated with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. 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.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector carried out a joint observation of a group activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

13 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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