First Steps Day Nursery

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

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Inspection date 17 August 2018 Previous inspection date 17 May 2016

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 Effectiveness of leadership and management Good 2 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2 Outcomes for children Good 2

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The provision is good

n The manager supports staff's individual professional development well. For example, she identifies appropriate training to ensure her staff are well qualified and have up-to- date professional knowledge. She regularly evaluates practice and the provision to help maintain good-quality teaching and care for children. n Staff have high expectations of children based upon their capabilities. They provide exciting activities linked to children's interests. Children engage and concentrate very well. Children progress well in learning. n Staff take pride in the nursery. The environment is welcoming and stimulating. Staff are warm and caring. They help children to feel valued and praise them for using good manners and listening. Children form secure attachments with staff and are happy. Behaviour is good. n Partnerships with parents, other professionals and schools are strong. They provide effective continuity for children, including children who have special educational needs

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It is not yet outstanding because:

n At times, staff miss opportunities to extend older children's concepts of mathematics, for example, weight, sorting, matching and simple addition. n Although the manager has improved systems to assessments and evaluate children's development, this is not yet fully effective in identifying groups of children to help raise learning even further.

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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

n use opportunities more consistently to help enhance older children's knowledge of simple mathematics n use information gained from monitoring children's achievements more effectively and further develop how groups of children are supported and improve learning even more.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

Inspection activities n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager/owner and the deputy manager. The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of staff working with children, and discussed the nursery's self-evaluation and improvement plans. n The inspector conducted a joint observation with the deputy manager. n The inspector spoke with staff and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and from some parents' written feedback.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is good

Safeguarding is effective. Staff are confident in their knowledge of safeguarding and know how to recognise a child's welfare might be at risk of harm. They understand the procedures to follow and effectively promote children's safety and welfare. The manager has a good knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation. There is a robust complaint procedure which is effectively implemented. The manager successfully deploys staff and organises groups of children safely. For example, she ensures the environment is safe and secure, and adult-to-child ratios are effectively maintained. The manager regularly reviews staff suitability checks to ensure they are consistently suitable to work with children. She provides regular support for staff to develop their skills, for example, coaching, team meetings and staff supervisions.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

Staff skilfully use children's interests to plan resources and keep children excited in their learning. Staff's enthusiasm encourages children's motivation and eagerness to learn. For example, staff excitedly help older children learn how to use scissors and encourage their determination to use them independently. Staff interact with children positively and help them to engage and concentrate as they happily explore with sand. They use questions effectively to challenge children's thinking and play. Staff encourage children well to solve problems, express their ideas and make connections. Parents are very pleased with the level of support from staff and their children's learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

Staff are kind and respect each other, parents and children. They are warm and caring towards children, and support their emotional well-being effectively. Children settle quickly. Staff encourage children's sense of belonging. For example, they display children's marks, drawings and photographs for children to see in and around the nursery. Staff listen and value children's ideas and help build their self-esteem. They record accidents and incidents, and share these with parents promptly. Staff encourage children to develop good physical health. For instance, children are active, they follow effective hygiene routines, and meals and snacks are healthy and nutritious.

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Outcomes for children are good

All children make good progress from their starting points. They gain important skills for their next stages in learning and the future. They are confident and sociable with children of all ages. Younger children develop their walking skills well, while older children confidently develop their finger muscles. For example, using a variety of tools to make marks in preparation for early writing. Children enjoy playing in the sand, making pretend ice cream and listening to stories. Children concentrate very well and are self- motivated to learn. They learn about the wider world and are respectful. Children are happy and enjoy their time at the nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY289832 Local authority Croydon Inspection number 10062362 Type of provision Full day care Registers Early Years Register Day care type Childcare on non-domestic premises Age range of children 1 - 4 Total number of places 32 Number of children on roll 12 Name of registered person First Steps Nurseries Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 17 May 2016 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. Five of whom work directly with the children. The manager/owner holds early years professional status. Three staff hold an early years qualification at levels 2 or 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.ofsted.gov.uk . 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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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T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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