Little Foot Steps Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Foot Steps Day Nursery Acton Hill Church Centre, Woodlands Avenue, LONDON W3 9BU

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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

Children are happy and secure, arriving eager to play and explore the activities on offer at this nurturing setting. They move confidently around the room selecting toys and resources to play with. The manager and staff plan and implement an exciting curriculum for all children. They provide a wide range of learning opportunities and have high expectations for all children. Children become fully engaged in their learning. For example, children pretend to make soup with real vegetables in the home corner and are supported by staff to use knives to chop the broccoli and cauliflower. They concentrate well and eagerly take part in the activity. Staff help ignite children's imaginations as they talk about what they are doing and what they need to do next.

p.2

The provision is good

Babies are happy and have good attachments with their key persons. They enjoy snuggling up with staff to look at books. Staff introduce key words as babies enthusiastically point to pictures and help turn the page. Staff provide space for babies to move around and explore the room independently. They encourage babies to pull themselves up and climb on steps to help develop their strength and physical skills.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are good role models for children. They set clear expectations for behaviour and encourage children's independence throughout their play and routines. For example, when moving from the playroom to the garden, children know they need to line up and wait for the headcount to be completed. Staff provide older children with verbal instructions and use sand timers to help them understand when the routine is changing. Consequently, children behave well, they know and understand what is expected of them.

p.2

need to do better?

n Since the last inspection, the leadership team has made improvements to the nursery. Staff, including the manager, have embarked on further training to increase their knowledge and understanding of how children learn. They have received help from the local authority to support them in their progression. This has had a positive impact on the provision and the children benefit from a range of child-centred activities, based around their needs and development. n Mathematics is woven into everyday routines. For example, at snack time, staff explain to children that they have one apple but have cut it into four pieces. Staff ask children questions and comment on their actions, such as 'half' and 'quarter' as they cut the fruit with them. As a result, children are beginning to use mathematical skills with confidence. n Staff implement an exciting curriculum. For instance, children thoroughly enjoy learning about how tomato seeds will grow into tomatoes. However, during this

p.2

need to do better?

12 July 2024 planting activity, staff do not give children enough time to solve problems for themselves or answer questions. Staff jump in too quickly and tell children what to do next and give insufficient thinking time for them to respond with an answer and this limits their communication skills. n Meal and snack times are calm and enjoyable experiences that are filled with opportunities to learn. Children are asked to serve their own food, helping them to manage portion sizes and make choices about what they want to eat. This helps children to develop good social and physical skills. n Staff teach children to keep themselves healthy. Children drink water throughout the day and learn about oral health with daily toothbrushing. Staff talk to children about the benefits of the healthy food they eat. n Opportunities for children to be independent are threaded throughout the daily routine. Children skilfully use the stairs, whilst singing the 'staircase song' to

p.2

need to do better?

remind them to carefully hold on to the banister. They wash their hands, use the water dispenser and put on their jackets. Children are developing important skills needed for their transition to school n Staff provide regular opportunities for children to access fresh air and exercise. Children show enjoyment as they play in the outdoor environment. They enthusiastically join in with a range of activities, such as balancing on planks. This helps children develop their physical skills, using a variety of tools that staff have thoughtfully provided. n The manager supports her team very well. She is committed to improving not only her own professional development but that of her staff. Staff benefit from regular appraisals and supervision meetings. This helps to further enhance staff practice. n Partnerships with parents are good. Parents describe the staff as caring and friendly, and state that they are very happy with the provision. Staff keep

p.3

need to do better?

parents regularly informed about their children's learning and provide advice for supporting their children's learning at home.

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 use consistent and effective questioning techniques to further extend children's speaking and communication skills. Allow children thinking time to process and answer questions before staff step in.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY401091 Local authority Ealing Inspection number 10307060 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 26 Number of children on roll 24 Name of registered person Little Foot Steps Day Nursery Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02088 960 081 Date of previous inspection 25 July 2023

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Foot Steps Day Nursery registered in 2010. It is situated in Acton, in the London Borough of Ealing. The nursery is open each weekday, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, and operates all year. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are nine members of staff, seven of whom hold relevant early years qualifications.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in their evaluation. 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 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 Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. n The inspector carried out joint observations of an activity with the manager.

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

12 July 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