First Steps Day Nursery

First Steps Children's Day Nursery 148 Hendford Hill, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2RG

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24 July 2015 24 February 2011

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Outstanding 1

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is outstanding

 Children make consistently excellent progress in their learning and development. This is because staff use their meticulous observations of children exceptionally well to develop highly individualised learning plans for each child. This results in staff challenging children of all ages because they know what makes them unique and what motivates them to learn.  Staff provide outstanding and skilful support, and prepare children extremely well for school. They encourage older children to make predictions, test their ideas and think of solutions to problems.  The successful key-person system enables babies and children to form strong attachments. This provides a firm base from which children feel confident to explore their surroundings.  Staff work exceptionally well with outside agencies to ensure they meet the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They use words in context

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This provision is outstanding

and sign language with visual aids. This promotes the language skills of all children, including babies and those children learning English as an additional language.  Following the last inspection, staff now have highly successful links with other early years providers. In addition to their outstanding partnerships with parents and outside agencies, this has a significant impact on children's well-being and learning.  The management team leads a culture of constant reflection, highly effective self- evaluation and commitment to training. All staff take an active part in monitoring how effectively the setting supports children's welfare, learning and development. As a result, they continue to seek ways to improve even further and enhance outcomes for children.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 consider further ways to promote children's already strong literacy skills in all areas of the environment, particularly for those who learn best outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and the quality of teaching indoors and outdoors.  The inspector spoke with staff, children and parents and took account of the setting's self-evaluation.  The inspector held a meeting with the manager and carried out a joint observation.  The inspector checked safeguarding information and the premises.  The inspector sampled documentation, including policies and procedures, children's development records and planning.

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who attend. This is outstanding

All children are excited to engage in the activities staff plan and they demonstrate excellent concentration and prolonged interest. For example, at the inspection, children on a bug hunt talked about how a log must be dead because it did not have roots to drink water. They made suggestions as to how they could lift the climbing frame using a strongman from the circus or a crane. Children used books to know the specific parts of snails and draw around their shadows. They used discovery resources to look closely at the creatures and discussed their similarities and differences. Staff provide excellent role models, showing children that they too continue to learn new things, such as another language. They praise children's attempts at new skills and support them extremely well in persevering to achieve. Children are highly independent and staff use routines to support their development even further. For example, toddlers find their own shoes, looking

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who attend. This is outstanding

closely at detail to know how to match pairs.

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outstanding

Parents state that staff know their children extremely well, including their learning styles and individuality. Staff prepare children exceptionally well for their move to another room and eventual transition to school. Staff make excellent use of the outstanding environment both indoors and outdoors, but have not fully considered how they always promote some aspects of literacy for children who prefer to learn outdoors. Children learn excellent practices to keep themselves safe and healthy. Babies practise their walking and balancing skills under the close supervision of staff. Staff demonstrate excellent hygiene practices and provide children with highly effective role models. The nursery provides nutritious, appetising and plentiful meals and snacks, which children enjoy immensely.

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provision is outstanding

The manager's ambition and drive leads this high quality provision, where staff continue to gain higher qualifications. As a result, expert staff know how to support children to reach their full potential. The manager has excellent systems to oversee every child's development, identify any gaps and seek additional support to close them rapidly. Parents comment positively on the open relationships they have with staff. They state there is excellent verbal and written communication which helps them support learning at home. The manager is currently seeking training for staff to develop opportunities for older children to take part in more risky play, and has long-term plans for an outdoor classroom. Staff keep children safe and secure within the nursery because risk assessments and supporting procedures are extremely rigorous. All staff attend safeguarding training and have a firm knowledge of what to do should a child be at risk of harm.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 142863 Local authority Somerset Inspection number 825808 Type of provision Full-time provision Registration category Childcare - Non-Domestic Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 47 Number of children on roll 80 Name of provider Heather Norris and Penelope Sealey Partnership Date of previous inspection 24 February 2011 Telephone number (01935) 474314

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Setting details

First Steps Day Nursery registered in 1991. It is a privately owned nursery situated in a residential area of Yeovil, Somerset. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years old. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm all year round. There are 21 members of staff. Of these, one holds Early Years Teacher Status and three have an early years degree. One member of staff holds a qualification at foundation degree level and 14 hold early years qualifications at level 3. One member of staff has an early years qualification at level 2 and is working towards a qualification at level 3. The staff are supported by a cook who holds a relevant qualification at level 3.

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Setting details

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted 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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Setting details

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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 Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, 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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Setting details

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Setting details

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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