First Steps Day Nursery

First Steps Day Nursery 26 Church Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1SB

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 May 2016 23 October 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 Staff provide a range of experiences to capture children's interests and promote their next steps in learning. All children make good progress from their starting points.  Children are happy in the setting and they form strong emotional attachments with the staff. They show good levels of confidence, eagerly explore the environment and take part in activities enthusiastically.  Staff promote children's physical well-being and understanding of the natural world effectively. For example, they plan activities where children explore their natural surroundings and learn about growth.  Staff provide incredible support to help parents continue their children's learning at home. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress.  The management team has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the nursery through effectively self-evaluation. It makes positive use of the views of

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This provision is good

children, staff and parents to make improvements.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 At times, staff do not promptly identify and support those children who are not highly engaged and challenged in their play and learning.  The manager assesses the progress of individual children but does not yet have an effective system to monitor the achievements of different groups of 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

 ensure that all children are highly engaged and motivated to play and learn at all times through the activities provided  develop systems for assessment to more precisely monitor the progress of different groups of children to identify any gaps in learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector spoke with children, staff and the manager at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at documentation, including policies, children's records and the nursery's self-evaluation.  The inspector spoke with parents and took account of their views.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager ensures that policies and procedures are in place to safeguard children's welfare. Staff attend regular safeguarding training and have a thorough understanding of procedures to follow if they have concerns about children's welfare. Safer recruitment processes are in place to check and verify the suitability of all staff working with children. The centre has improved since the previous inspection. The manager monitors children's learning and development during regular team meetings and supervision sessions. She uses this information to identify any gaps in learning for individual children. Staff benefit from regular training opportunities. For example, the manager provides coaching and mentoring. She encourages staff to extend their skills and knowledge further to help raise outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff make regular observations of children's learning and use these to accurately assess children's progress and plan exciting activities. Resources are easily accessible to children and they make independent choices in their play. For example, children enjoy exploring with dough, soil, water, paint and a range of drawing materials to encourage their imaginative skills. Staff support children's literacy skills well. For example, children enjoy looking at books and have many opportunities to recognise their name and practise their early writing skills. Children explore a wide range of different cultures and celebrate various festivals. This helps children learn to respect each other and embrace similarities and differences.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff provide a welcoming and stimulating environment for children and their families. They work closely with parents to support children's individual needs. For example, staff take time to get to know the children and build their confidence well. Children's behaviour is good. Staff are good role models and offer clear guidance on expectations for behaviour. For example, they effectively support children's understanding of good manners and ways to keep themselves safe. Staff teach children how to stay healthy. For example, they encourage physical exercise and good hygiene practices. Staff promote children's independence well. For example, children tidy away resources and manage their personal care needs.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress and develop the skills they need for their eventual move on to school. Children begin to use their mathematical skills as they play. For example, they count in sequence as they walk along balancing beams. Children develop good social skills. For example, they play cooperatively, share and take turns.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY289832 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 1028319 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register Age range of children 0 - 5 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 40 Name of registered person First Steps Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 October 2013 Telephone number 020 8681 8430

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reference number

First Steps Day Nursery registered in 2004. It operates from a two-storey renovated chapel in central Croydon, within the London Borough of Croydon. The nursery is open each weekday from 8am to 6pm for 51 weeks of the year. The nursery receives funding for the provision of free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The nursery employs six members of staff. The owner holds early years professional status and the manager holds an early years foundation degree. There is one member of staff who holds an early years qualification at level 3.

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reference number

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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reference number

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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reference number

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reference number

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reference number

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

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