1st Step Pre-school Ltd (Seaton Delaval)

Inspection of 1st Step Pre-school Ltd (Seaton Delaval) Community Centre, Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Whitley Bay NE25 0BW

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Overall effectiveness Inadequate

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Inadequate Leadership and management Inadequate Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable

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The provision is inadequate

Children's safety is not assured at this setting due to several safeguarding failings. There is a lack of oversight of child protection matters. Those with safeguarding responsibilities do not ensure safeguarding concerns are recorded and reported to the relevant authorities in a timely manner to promote children's safety and well- being. This means that safeguarding procedures are not effective. However, leaders and staff ensure the setting is secure and have appropriate risk assessments in place.

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The provision is inadequate

Leaders identify what they want children to learn. There is an emphasis on supporting children's social development. Staff use group times on the carpet to remind children of expected behaviours, such as 'kind hands', and the rules that they expect them to follow. Children respond positively and behave well. They follow staff instructions and are polite and kind to one another. Staff build on this by providing activities and experiences that help children to make progress across all areas of learning. Plans for learning are based on children's interests. This helps staff to ignite children's curiosity and motivates them to take part.

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need to do better?

n Safeguarding procedures are not robust. Leaders and staff do not recognise the significance of signs that may indicate that a child's welfare is at risk. Documents used to record incidents and related concerns are disorganised and are not effective. Some are incomplete and some incidents, such as injuries that children sustain outside of the setting, have not been recorded. Furthermore, these records are not collated or reviewed. This means the pre-school is not able to recognise patterns of behaviour that could indicate that a child is at risk from harm. n There is a lack of clarity about who is responsible for recording and reporting concerns about children's welfare, and about how and when these concerns should be reported. Consequently, some significant information relating to children's welfare has not been shared with the relevant agencies and professionals to help to safeguard children. n Overall, staff support children's learning very well. Children are keen to join in

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need to do better?

activities and games, showing a positive attitude to learning. However, at times, they do not give children enough time to understand and remember what has been taught before moving on to new learning. For example, children throughout the pre-school are taught about a new letter each week, despite not having understood the letter from the previous week. Children who are tasked with cutting a line with scissors do not yet have the physical skills to manage this. n Babies enjoy a range of activities that support their sensory development. For

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need to do better?

9 July 2024 example, they enjoy exploring the texture of crushed cereal and trace marks through it with their fingers. There are plenty of opportunities for children to build on their physical abilities. For example, staff encourage younger babies to spend time on their tummies to help strengthen some of their muscles in preparation for sitting up and crawling. n Most children achieve well across all areas of learning. Staff are aware of those children who need extra support with their communication and language skills. Targeted teaching, such as the use of simple hand signs, has helped children to make better progress. Partnerships with other professionals, such as speech therapists, help to provide the appropriate support that children need to catch up in their learning. n Leaders have a good oversight of learning and development. They reflect on this aspect of their provision, and include the views of parents. For example,

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need to do better?

following feedback from questionnaires, they have taken steps to improve the amount and quality of information that they provide about children's learning. n Staff help children to understand and manage their feelings. They provide plenty of praise and encouragement that helps children to develop a positive sense of themselves and good levels of self-esteem. Staff encourage children to keep trying during activities, which helps them to develop resilience. Staff's interactions are warm and caring, which reassures children and helps them to build positive relationships.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are not effective.

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Safeguarding

There is not an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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Due date

improve and implement safeguarding procedures so they align with the guidance from local safeguarding partners (LSP), specifically about how to record and respond to concerns about children's welfare 23/07/2024

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Due date

9 July 2024 ensure that a designated practitioner takes lead responsibility for safeguarding children 23/07/2024

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Due date

train all staff to be alert to signs of potential abuse and neglect 23/07/2024

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Due date

ensure that information is shared swiftly with local statutory children's services agencies and safeguarding partners when there are concerns about children's welfare. 23/07/2024

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should:

n help children to secure the necessary prior knowledge and skills before moving them on to new learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2753852 Local authority Northumberland Inspection number 10356221 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 32 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person 1st Step Pre-School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07708890208 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

1st Step Pre-school Ltd (Seaton Delaval) registered in 2023. The pre-school opens from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, all year round. There are six members of staff who work directly with the children. Of these, four hold a relevant early years qualification at level 3. The pre-school provides funded education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the pre-school received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with leaders and staff and has taken that into account in her evaluation of the pre- school. n The manager showed the inspector around the premises. She talked about the curriculum and the way the provision is organised. n The inspector observed interactions between staff and children. She observed staff's teaching and assessed its impact on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke to a number of parents and took account of their views. n The providers and manager met with the inspector to discuss leadership and management matters. The inspector looked at relevant documents provided for inspection.

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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

9 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.

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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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