First Steps Nursery

First Steps Nursery Robson Way, Lowton, Nr. Warrington, Cheshire, WA3 2RD

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Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 November 2016 21 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

 The quality of teaching is good. Staff carefully plan activities that support children's individual needs and interests well.  Leaders and managers have a good understanding of the 'Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage'. They carefully monitor the educational programme and children's assessments. This ensures that children are making good progress in their learning and development.  Staff have developed close relationships with children in their care. As a result, children's emotional well-being is well supported.  The nursery provides a welcoming environment for children and their families. Staff work closely with parents to ensure that there is a shared approach to supporting children's care, learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 On some occasions, staff do not always provide enough opportunities for children to develop their independence skills.  There is scope to develop the number of resources and activities that support children to learn about the wider world.

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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

 maximise opportunities for children to develop their independence skills even further. For example, by allowing children to take part in routine tasks such as serving their own meals and washing their own hands and faces  increase the number of activities and resources that support children to explore, observe and find out about people, places and wider communities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspectors observed the quality of teaching and carried out a joint observation of a communication and language activity with the assistant manager.  The inspectors took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspectors reviewed a range of documentation such as policies and procedures, children's planning and assessments, and staff appraisals.  The inspectors spoke with leaders and managers about their knowledge and understanding of the early years foundation stage framework and reviewed the nurseries improvement plans.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. This helps to keep children safe. Staff are well qualified and attend regular training. There is an effective programme of professional development which has a positive impact on staffs' practice with the children. There are clear plans to improve the nursery. These plans are regularly reviewed by leaders and managers to ensure that they are well focused on improving the nursery. The management team review the educational programme for young children to make sure that planned activities are helping children to make good progress towards the early learning goals. The nursery has developed strong professional relationships with external agencies. This helps to ensure that staff can readily access additional support for those children that need it. Staff are positive role models to children. They implement clear rules and boundaries to help promote children's good behaviour.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The quality of teaching is good. Staff plan a wide range of activities that supports children to make good progress and prepare them for the next steps in their learning and school. Children enjoy playing simple rhyming games during group time which helps them to develop their early reading skills. When children first start at the nursery, staff work closely with parents to gain information about their child's development needs. This helps to involve parents in their children's learning from the very beginning. Ongoing observation and assessment of children, ensures that staff can easily identify and plan the next steps in learning. Young children enjoy exploring the sand and using tools to cut the playdough. This supports their creative development well. Children enjoy learning about festivals around the world. However, activities and resources that reflect different people, places and communities are limited. This does not fully support children to learn about the

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff have developed strong relationships with children in their care. This helps to support children to feel safe and secure. Children are developing some independence skills. For example, they put on their own coats ready for outdoor play. However, on some occasions staff carry out routine tasks for children that they could do for themselves. This does not make best use of everyday opportunities to support children to be independent. Mealtimes are a sociable occasion where children are learning about the importance of healthy lifestyles. This is complemented by the regular outdoor play which supports their physical development.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children enjoy their time at the nursery and as a result, they are keen to learn new things. Children work comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. Where children are falling behind the gaps are closing because staff have implemented an effective programme of support. Children move on to school with the skills they need to support their future learning. Consequently, outcomes for children attending the nursery are good.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY101522 Local authority Wigan Inspection number 1077431 Type of provision Sessional provision Day care type Childcare - Non-Domestic Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 226 Number of children on roll 161 Name of registered person First Steps Private Day Nursery (Lowton) Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 21 October 2013 Telephone number 01942 678 803

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reference number

First Steps Nursery was registered in 2002, and is situated in the Lowton area of Warrington, Cheshire. The nursery employs 34 members of childcare staff. Of these, 33 hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery opens each weekday from 7:15am until 6:30pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children.

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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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