Positive Steps Childcare LTD

Inspection of Positive Steps Childcare LTD 4 Loudon Street, Derby DE23 8ER

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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 Inadequate

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The provision is inadequate

The provider does not follow their safeguarding procedures. They fail to manage allegations made against staff appropriately. This compromises children's safety. Furthermore, the provider does not provide Ofsted with necessary information to meet all requirements.

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The provision is inadequate

Despite the breaches identified, children receive a significantly improved quality of education, and as a result, they show positive attitudes to their learning. Children engage well in the activities staff provide. Their learning is age-appropriate. For instance, staff support children to learn mathematical concepts through gardening. Children help staff count the scoops of soil needed to fill a pot. They recognise when the pot is full and use this mathematical language as they talk about what they are doing. Children who learn English as an additional language make secure progress in their language acquisition. They use descriptive language that they have learned from staff to explain what they are doing. For example, 'I'm mixing'.

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The provision is inadequate

Children know what is expected of them. Staff implement appropriate rules and boundaries, and children respect these. For example, children remind others to push their chairs back under the table. Children learn how to take care of themselves. They happily oblige when staff remind them to wash their hands before they eat. Staff promote children's good health and hygiene, and support them to take on such tasks independently. This helps children to get ready for school and beyond.

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need to do better?

n Although noticeable improvements have been made, the provider continues to breach the statutory requirements that are in place to keep children safe. They fail to meet their statutory responsibilities to inform agencies in a timely manner when any allegations are made against staff. This potentially compromises children's safety and welfare because the relevant professionals do not have all the information to look into these allegations to make sure those looking after children are suitable to do so. n The provider has failed to provide Ofsted with the information they need to confirm their ongoing suitability. This means that Ofsted has not been able to fulfil their statutory duty to carry out the necessary checks to ensure the provider remains suitable. This has a negative impact on the overall safeguarding arrangements at the setting and therefore children's safety cannot be assured. n The provider has redesigned the curriculum that staff deliver. Staff have a clear

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need to do better?

understanding of what they want children to learn. There is a strong focus on supporting children's communication and language development, which is

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need to do better?

30 September 2025 particularly relevant for the many children who attend that are learning English as an additional language. n Staff adopt a reflective approach to their teaching. They make accurate assessments of children's learning and development and adapt activities where required so that all children can make good progress. For example, instead of reading long texts, staff choose to read books that have short and repetitive sentences. This helps children to quickly learn key words and phrases. n Staff promote children's good health. They talk to children about the importance of eating healthy food and drinking water. Children know that these things make them strong. Staff provide parents with information on how they can maintain children's good health at home. For instance, they provide leaflets on finding a dentist and how to clean children's teeth. n Staff use effective strategies to help shape children's good behaviour. This has a

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need to do better?

positive impact on children's social development. For example, staff encourage children to use a sand timer to help with their turn- taking skills. Children go on to negotiate their play without this visual aid, demonstrating how they have successfully learned to share resources. n The provider and staff have engaged positively with professional learning and development opportunities since the last inspection. This has influenced many of the improvements found in the care and education they offer. That said, staff are yet to embed some of this learning consistently into their practice. For example, they know they should speak slowly and give children time to answer their questions, but sometimes they do not implement these strategies. n The provider and staff work effectively with parents and other professionals. This helps all children, but it is particularly beneficial for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff act on advice from professionals,

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need to do better?

such as speech and language therapists. They make sure there is consistency between children's home lives and their experiences at the setting. For instance, the use of visual cards to help children communicate their needs and wants. This joined-up approach promotes successful outcomes for children.

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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

30 September 2025 ensure that the correct safeguarding procedures are followed when any allegations are made against staff, including sharing information with the relevant agencies 28/10/2025

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Due date

ensure that Ofsted is provided with the information they need to confirm the ongoing suitability of the provider and that this is done in a timely manner. 28/10/2025

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should:

n support staff to consistently implement knowledge gained from their ongoing professional learning and development.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2747438 Local authority Derby Inspection number 10406391 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 Sessional day care

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inspection

Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 6 Name of registered person Positive Steps Childcare Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 07747468926 Date of previous inspection 18 March 2025

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Information about this early years setting

Positive Steps Childcare LTD re-registered in 2023 and is located in Derby. The setting employs two members of childcare staff. Both hold relevant qualifications at level 2 or above. The setting opens from 9am to 12.15pm, Monday to Friday, term time only.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors Charlotte Whalley Christy Dave

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspectors discussed the early years curriculum and how the setting was organised. n The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n Children confidently interacted with the inspectors. n The inspectors carried out joint observations of a group activity with the manager. n The inspectors spoke to parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspectors spoke to staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspectors 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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