First Little Steps

First Little Steps King Georges Playing Field, Tudor Drive, Morden, SM4 4PN

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 2 November 2016 23 November 2012

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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 have a good understanding of children's developmental needs. They observe, assess and plan accurately for their learning. Staff consider information provided by parents and other professionals involved in children's care and learning.  Staff develop strong relationships with parents. They help parents to continue their children's learning at home. For example, staff provide books for parents to read to their children to support their early literacy skills.  The manager monitors individual and groups of children's progress. She helps staff to quickly close any identified gaps in children's learning and help them catch up. Children make good progress from their starting points, including children who have special educational needs.  Children have good opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles. For example, they participate in activities that enhance their awareness of food that is good for their

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This provision is good

bodies. They play outside daily and have a positive attitude to exercise.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, staff miss opportunities to develop children's understanding of the natural world around them. For example, they do not encourage children to observe the changes of the seasons and the elements, such as the effect of the wind.  Sometimes, staff do things for children that they can do for themselves. For example, staff put on children's hats, coats and gloves for them, limiting their independent 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

 create more opportunities to help extend children's understanding of the natural world  encourage children to manage more tasks by themselves to build on their independence skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities indoors and outdoors.  The inspector talked with staff, children and the manager at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, and checked evidence of the suitability checks and qualifications of staff.  The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. The manager has a strong knowledge of the safeguarding procedures. She ensures all staff understand the signs that indicate a child's welfare may be at risk. The manager ensures staff are vigilant to help protect children's safety and welfare. She uses rigorous recruitment procedures to ensure staff are suitable to work with children. She reflects on and evaluates the provision to make improvements, taking careful account of the views of staff, parents and children. For example, following feedback from parents, the manager and staff have improved the learning environment for children who prefer to learn outside. The manager supports staff's professional development. For example, she encourages them to gain higher qualifications. The qualified staff use their new knowledge to improve outcomes for children.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff skilfully extend children's thinking and speaking skills. For instance, they use carefully worded questions to encourage children to develop their thoughts as they solve problems and join in discussions. Staff support children to concentrate and focus very well. For example, they encourage children to take part in group time, and help them to listen and express their ideas. Staff teach children to take some risk and develop their physical skills. For instance, they encourage older children to try to climb a tree, while the younger children work out how to use a spade to build a sandcastle. Staff engage children in early reading. For example, staff encourage children to join in stories enthusiastically and they repeat words and repetitive phrases excitedly.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Children form very close bonds with their key person and seek them out when they need help or reassurance. Staff celebrate children's achievements and efforts. They value children's work and share their success with their parents. Staff teach children to listen and take turns. For example, staff remind children to be polite and respectful of staff and each other. Staff help children to learn about people's similarities and differences, and to be thoughtful and respectful of others. For example, children learn about each other's cultural festivals, and they say 'excuse me' when someone is in their way.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children develop good foundations for their future learning. They are interested in early writing. For example, older children learn to write their name and younger children make marks in the sand. Children develop good early mathematical skills. For instance, they competently count, and they know the value of numbers one to five. All children are eager to learn and are very confident in their abilities. They communicate effectively and behave very well.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY426071 Local authority Merton Inspection number 1058998 Type of provision Full-time provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 2 - 4 Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Michelle Coker-Hounslow

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 23 November 2012 Telephone number 02083307851

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reference number

First Little Steps nursery registered in 2011. The nursery is privately owned and operates from the upstairs maisonette of the pavilion that is situated within King Georges Fields, in Morden. The nursery opens each weekday from 8am to 6pm. There are nine staff; six members of staff, including the manager, hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and three staff hold a qualification at level 2. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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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