First Steps Nursery

First Steps Nursery School Lane, Yateley, Hampshire, GU46 6NW

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 8 September 2016 9 January 2014

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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

 The staff plan interesting and challenging activities that motivate children to learn. All children, including those who have special educational needs, make good progress in their learning.  Staff follow good hygiene procedures. For example, they encourage children to wash their hands after toileting and ensure that they change babies' nappies regularly.  Partnerships with parents are strong. The regular sharing of information provides continuity for children.  Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively. For example, the manager has recently introduced a system whereby children have a second key person to provide consistency when the child's key person is absent.  Staff place a strong focus on safeguarding children. They have clear policies and procedures in place. For instance, they assess risks well and ensure staff supervise children effectively. They do not leave unchecked staff unattended with children and

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This provision is good

ensure that they record accidents thoroughly and notify parents.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The staff do not consistently provide opportunities for younger children to develop their early writing skills.  At times, staff do not encourage children to share their thoughts and ideas to fully support their thinking skills.

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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

 increase opportunities for younger children to develop their early writing skills  provide more chances for children to develop their thinking skills to fully extend their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had a tour of the areas used by the nursery.  The inspector observed staff and children during play and completed a joint observation with the manager.  The inspector examined a sample of children's records, policies and other documents.  The inspector spoke with several parents, children and staff to gain their views.  The inspector discussed the nursery's self-evaluation process with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The manager reflects on teaching practices well. She has addressed previous recommendations made at the last inspection and considers parents' and children's views to guide improvements. The manager has high expectations of the staff. She supports them with professional development effectively. For example, she monitors staff practice and offers regular support and encouragement. Safeguarding is effective. Staff are confident about the procedures to follow and what would give them concerns for a child's welfare. The manager ensures recruitment is rigorous and that staff are suitable to work with children. She monitors children's progress well and shares her findings with parents, to help involve them in their child's learning. Staff work well to support children at times of change, for example, during the move between rooms and on to school.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The well-qualified staff complete meaningful observations and accurate assessments. They plan for any gaps in children's learning quickly. They hold regular meetings with parents to share children's achievements and next steps in learning. Staff include mathematics well in children's play. For instance, they count with children as they stack blocks and discuss different shapes with them. Babies and older children develop an awareness of early technology as they explore a variety of resources. For example, younger children play with telephones and older children complete simple programs on computers. Children develop their creativity through a variety of activities, such as music, craft and imaginative play. They use a range of tools to explore different textures.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children form positive relationships with staff and feel safe and secure in their care. Staff support children's emotional well-being effectively. For example, staff gain valuable information from parents when children first start to plan for their needs from the outset. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise which support their physical well-being effectively. They explore the environment and make choices in their play. Children eat healthy foods and have fresh drinking water available to them. Children behave well and learn to respect others. They develop a good awareness of how to keep safe, for instance, as they learn to use knives safely to prepare fruit at snack time.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points. Children are confident and develop good independence skills. For instance, babies learn to feed themselves and older children learn to put on their shoes. Children of all ages enjoy looking at books. They have good opportunities to learn about the wider world and different cultural and religious festivals. Children gain the skills they need for school.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 110168 Local authority Hampshire Inspection number 1072308 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 72 Number of children on roll 108 Name of registered person Yateley School Governing Body

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 9 January 2014 Telephone number 01252 746963

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reference number

First Steps Nursery registered in 1992. It is situated on the Yateley School campus in Yateley Hampshire. The nursery opens from 8am to 6pm on Monday to Friday for 51 weeks a year. The nursery is in receipt of free early education funding for children aged two, three and four years. A team of 21 staff work with the children; 14 staff hold qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6. The Home From Home Breakfast Club opens from 7.30am to 9am on Monday to Friday, during term time. Home From Home After School Club opens from 3pm to 6pm. The Home From Home Club takes children from Westfield Infant and Primary Schools, Cranford Park and Yateley Infant School.

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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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