Footprints Learning for Life Limited

Inspection of Footprints Learning for Life Limited Tees Street, Hartlepool, Cleveland TS24 8HA

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 Inadequate

p.1

The provision is good

Children are comfortable and confident in this safe and homely environment. They demonstrate they are happy and have high levels of self-esteem and perseverance. For instance, children keep trying as they throw hoops to a target and thread tricky items on to string. Children are curious as they experiment mixing coloured paints to decorate pumpkins in their chosen colour. They are fascinated and in awe of the power of magnets in a turn-taking game. This is because the provider has developed focused action plans to support staff's knowledge of the curriculum intent. Staff focus well on the skills that children need to learn to help them move on to the next stage, such as dressing, social and personal care skills. Staff's enthusiasm and participation make activities lively, motivating and fun for children.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff encourage children to behave well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For instance, they use consistent gentle reminders about their expectations for children's behaviour during indoor and outdoor play. Staff help children to learn about safety and explain clearly to them how accidents can happen. Leaders have reflected deeply since the last inspection. Staff consistently assess the risks to children during activities, including cross- contamination. They recognise the needs and behaviours of each child in their care and use this information effectively to anticipate and prevent accidents. Children behave well and gain good social skills and respect for others.

p.2

need to do better?

n Leaders have improved many aspects of the setting and have taken steps to meet the actions set from the previous inspection. They have high expectations for staff's teaching and children's progress. Leaders value the staff team and have put their health and well-being as a long-term focus. They provide effective and consistent staff supervision sessions and support. n Leaders are confident about the curriculum intent, in particular, how staff help children to gain the skills they need to be ready for school. However, although they have identified a need to strengthen staff's interactions with children around early mathematics, some staff do not yet have a clear understanding of how to do this consistently. Staff confidently talk to children about numbers, quantity and shapes but do not always introduce other more complex mathematical concepts, such as estimating, weight and measure. n Leaders describe how staff support children with SEND. They work well with

p.2

need to do better?

external agencies to improve outcomes for children. Leaders ensure that they use pupil premium funding to benefit children's learning. For example, they have developed a sensory room and an exciting craft room with a 'beach' area, which has had a positive impact on children's imagination and communication skills. n Staff prioritise children's good health. They have completed targeted training to

p.2

need to do better?

7 October 2024 improve their understanding of safeguarding, risk and the curriculum. This means that staff implement stringent procedures for children's health and hygiene, and demonstrate a secure knowledge of children's individual health care plans. Staff teach children good hygiene practices, with particular regard to handwashing, independent toileting and nose blowing. n Leaders make sure that key-person arrangements are effective and that partnerships with parents remain strong. Staff have a very good knowledge of children's family circumstances. Parents spoken to during the inspection say they have huge confidence in the setting and always receive a warm welcome when they arrive with their child. They state they can see a difference in their children's progress and that they are given more ideas to help their children's learning at home. Parents say that leaders and staff make them feel like they are

p.2

need to do better?

part of 'one big, happy family'. n Leaders make sure that staff understand their role to encourage children's language and to acquire a love of books. Children of all ages enjoy being read to and become totally absorbed in what is happening in the story. Children look at books and link their ideas to past events. For instance, they recall a recent visit from the police and use the new vocabulary they learned during the visit. This supports children's early literacy and language skills. n Leaders and staff have worked hard to implement the curriculum to help all children to build their learning over time. However, occasionally, staff supporting the most able children do not fully extend and challenge these children to build on what they already know and can do to link their thoughts and ideas, such as when designing and discussing large construction models. This impacts on the progress children can make.

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 embed the curriculum for early mathematics to extend all children's understanding of mathematical language and concepts n support staff to make better use of their interactions in order to challenge the most able children's thinking and maximise their learning.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY477633 Local authority Hartlepool Borough Inspection number 10362084 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 116 Number of children on roll 261 Name of registered person Footprints Learning for Life Limited

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01429 261122 Date of previous inspection 4 June 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Footprints Learning for Life Limited registered in 2014 and is situated in Hartlepool, Cleveland. The nursery employs 17 members of childcare staff. Of these, 16 staff hold qualifications at level 3 or above, including one member of staff who holds a level 6 qualification and one with a level 7 qualification. The setting operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for two weeks at Christmas and bank holidays. The nursery offers government-funded places for childcare.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the setting, indoors and outdoors, and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The inspector spoke to the nominated individual and the manager about the leadership and management of the setting. n The nominated individual and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the setting and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of outdoor play with the nominated individual. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times 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. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning.

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

7 October 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