Major Steps Childcare

Inspection of Major Steps Childcare Tropicana House, Newquay Road, St. Columb Major TR9 6TJ

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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

Parents and children are welcomed warmly when they arrive at the setting. They engage in conversation with the staff, which makes them feel valued. Staff know the children and families well and have a good understanding of how to support every child's unique learning needs.

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The provision is good

Children show good independence skills in the pre-school room. They help themselves to their breakfast and wash up their own cups and plates after using them. This supports them in building good life skills. The children are well behaved and the staff talk about emotions with the children. This helps children to understand how they are feeling. The older children talk about treating people kindly.

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The provision is good

Children enjoy being physical outdoors. They play together using wheelbarrows to move foam construction bricks. In the construction area, there are tree branches, and staff explain how to lift and move these safely. This gives children the opportunity to learn about challenging themselves and taking risks. The children work with each other, sharing ideas and working on their social skills.

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The provision is good

The younger children enjoy playing with the sand, filling buckets and tapping the top of them with spades. Staff interact with sounds and the use of early language. The children respond with laughter and giggle with joy.

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need to do better?

n The setting has a clear intent for children's learning. Staff contribute and work together so they understand what this means for their practice. Staff use their secure knowledge of children to plan next steps. All children progress well in their learning. n Staff plan activities to support children's understanding of the world and the community they live in. For example, they take children to visit the beach and the theatre, and children receive visits from zoo creatures and the ice-cream van. This supports children's to build their knowledge of the wider world. n Children gain good literacy skills. Staff promote children's love of books. They have a book of the week where they focus on using particular words from the book in context to help extend children's vocabulary. Children independently access a range of books to read. Some older children read to the younger ones, showing confidence in their reading abilities.

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need to do better?

n Staff interactions support children in developing their communication and language skills. Children are encouraged to use new vocabulary and repeat words back. Staff use visual prompts to support communication. Staff seek information and training from outside agencies so that they can help any

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need to do better?

1 November 2024 children who are struggling with their language and communication development. This has supported children to make significant progress and even catch up before starting school. n Children participate in activities such as making pizza for tea. Staff interact with children and discuss what they need to do. However, not all staff consistently challenge children's thinking so that they can solve problems for themselves. n Staff provide opportunities for children to practise gripping, squeezing and pinching with their fingers. This helps to build the small muscles in their hands and supports children with making marks. n Staff encourage children to develop their awareness of self-care, such as handwashing and blowing their noses. Older children independently use the toilet, just letting the staff know where they are going. n The setting successfully works in partnership with parents. Parents are very

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need to do better?

complimentary about the setting. They talk about their children settling well, how friendly and supportive the staff are, and that they are well-informed about their children's progress. n The setting works closely with the local school, receiving feedback on the children who transition to the school. This enables them to reflect on practice for the next cohort of children moving up. The setting and the school share ideas on how to support the children and this helps children to have a smooth transition. n Staff feel well supported in their well-being and they enjoy their roles. They are encouraged to reflect on their practice and discuss any training needs they have. Staff identified that they needed to focus on communication and language with the children. To support this, they joined a programme to boost children's language skills, which has helped them to develop children's communication and language.

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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 support staff so that they are all consistent in helping children think through problems themselves before offering solutions.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2691667 Local authority Cornwall Inspection number 10363591 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 Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 45 Number of children on roll 76 Name of registered person Major Steps Childcare Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01637 520843 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Major Steps Nursery registered in 2022. The nursery is situated in St Columb Major, Cornwall. It provides care all year round, from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The setting offers government funded places. There are 14 members of staff, seven of whom hold a level 3 early years qualification or above.

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Inspection activities

n The leadership team and the inspector discussed how the curriculum for the setting is organised. n Parents spoke directly to the inspector and sent emails. Their comments were taken into consideration as part of the inspection. n The inspector and the leader carried out a joint observation together and discussed plans for evaluating any areas identified for improvement. n A leadership meeting took place with both members of the leadership team. n The inspector observed teaching and learning, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's development.

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Inspection activities

1 November 2024 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

1 November 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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