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STEPPING Stones playgroup has received a good report from OFSTED inspectors.

The under-fives group, which meets at Chalkstone Community Centre, was set up in 1989 and is run by supervisor Elaine McManus and a team of 10 staff. It caters for a total of 43 children aged between two-and-a-half and five.

Ofsted inspectors found Stepping Stones created a well-ordered environment with many activities for children to choose from. Children are well behaved and keen to learn, with staff relating well to the pupils.

However, there was some lack of staff curriculum knowledge, particularly relating to mathematics and knowledge of the world, which resulted in some gaps in the educational programme.

Overall the quality of learning is satisfactory and the children's learning in communication, language and literacy is good. They enjoy stories and rhymes and understand how to use books, the inspectors found.

Children are also progressing well towards early learning goals for physical and creative development. There are good links with parents and the local community.

THE REPORT IN BRIEF
* Staff set and maintain clear expectations for behaviour. Consequently the children understand what is right and wrong, behave well and display good attitudes and manners.

* Sessions are well structured and enable children to learn in a variety of ways.

* Each session offers a good range of activities which enables children to exercise a high degree of choice about their learning.

* There is a need to improve staff knowledge and understanding of earl learning goals.

* There should be more use of mathematical ideas linked to problem solving in daily routines and activities.

* Assessment should be used for informed planning, to provide suitable challenges for individual activities.

CAPTION: Top of the class … supervisor Elain McManus, centre, with some of the pupils from Stepping Stones playgroup. From left, Aaron Millar, Harry Johnston, Lewis Deeks and Chloe Billings, all aged four.