Stepping Stones (SW) Ltd

Inspection of Stepping Stones (SW) Ltd Hudson Way, Taunton, Somerset TA2 6UP

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children are joyful, self-assured and curious to explore in this welcoming setting. The youngest children are confident and proud to announce that 'this is our nursery'. Children have warm, nurturing relationships with staff and feel safe and secure. As a result, they are happy to engage in discussions with inspector about their favourite things and ask for books to be read to them, which they read back to the inspector using the pictures. Children are eager for staff to join their play and shriek with delight when they are found during a game of dinosaur hide and seek or when staff 'drink' pretend hot coffee made by the children in the mud kitchen.

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The provision is good

Children's behaviour is consistently very positive and staff remind them of the rules, for example when they are using the pond area. Children and adults listen respectfully to each other. Children are reminded to use their 'slow feet' inside and 'fast feet' outside. They help each other to put on their wellington boots and push each other in the cars in the outdoor space.

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The provision is good

Children's emotional well-being is a priority, and adults model and teach skills and behaviours to support children's understanding. Staff help children to identify and label emotions and discuss the feelings of others. For example, children suggest making cards for people who are feeling sad following a discussion about emotions. The curriculum is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are learning English as an additional language. Staff plan activities so that every child is included and able to make progress from their starting points.

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need to do better?

n Staff build children's strength, balance and coordination through climbing, balancing, pedalling bikes and yoga, so children move confidently and manage risks safely. n Staff know what children can do and plan next steps carefully, so all children, including those with SEND, make good progress. Sometimes staff need to be sharper to challenge and extend activities with all children that are engaged. n Children are encouraged to be independent and responsible. Staff build independence through small, everyday routines such as self-care and tidying. Children sort food waste for compost at lunchtime, which develops responsibility and care for the environment. Children are encouraged to persevere and have a go, for example, when sawing pumpkins. n Children enjoy shared story times. Staff ask purposeful questions and teach new words, so children talk confidently about stories and predict what might happen

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need to do better?

next. Some children may be less confident in group activities; therefore, staff

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need to do better?

30 September 2025 need to consistently support those children. n Staff teach healthy choices and link food to giving you energy to be active, so children understand how to look after their bodies. Children are taught about recycling and practise this in the setting, using a compost bin and sorting different recyclable materials, which supports understanding of the world around them. n Children with SEND are well supported. Staff identify needs early, work with parents and external professionals, and act on advice so children achieve well. n Parents say children are happy and well cared for and that key persons share next steps daily, which helps learning continue at home. n Staff plan local visits and work with families to celebrate cultures and teach key vocabulary, helping children who are learning English as an additional language to broaden their understanding of the world and their language. n Leaders prioritise well-being and professional development of staff through

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need to do better?

regular supervision and open communication. This means staff feel valued and confident, which contributes to consistent, high-quality teaching for children.

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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 make the intended learning clear in planning and in teaching, so that adults know precisely what to teach and children build and connect knowledge over time. n help less confident children to join in and share their ideas during group times, so they build confidence in speaking.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY393742 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 10408199 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 37 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Stepping Stones (SW) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01823 324 566 Date of previous inspection 28 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Stepping Stones registered in 2009. It operates from a privately owned building independently run on the site of Staplegrove Church of England Primary School in Taunton. The setting offers funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children. Sessions run from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, term time only. The staff team includes qualified practitioners at levels 2 to 4 and early years professional status.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together inside and outside to discuss the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector spoke to staff at appropriate times and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector and the manager carried out a joint observation. 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

30 September 2025 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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