1st Steps Day Nursery

1st Steps Day Nursery 42 - 44 Irlam Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 4AL

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Inspection date 18 July 2019 Previous inspection date 2 August 2013

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This inspection: Outstanding 1

Previous inspection: Outstanding 1 Effectiveness of leadership and management Outstanding 1 Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding 1 Personal development, behaviour and welfare Outstanding 1 Outcomes for children Outstanding 1

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This provision is outstanding

n The nursery is a hub of excellence. Managers are extremely successful at conveying their vision to the whole staff team. In doing so, staff have the highest expectations for all children and their families. n Children who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive in this fully inclusive environment. Staff are patient and nurturing. They work closely with other professionals to implement outstanding teaching and care. As a result, children are able to achieve the best possible outcomes. n Managers monitor and coach staff superbly. For example, they use highly effective supervision to set targets to continually develop staff practice. Consequently, staff are equipped with remarkable skills and have an astute understanding of how children learn and develop. n Managers and staff monitor children's progress precisely. This enables staff to provide

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This provision is outstanding

specific support or challenge to enable all children to achieve their next steps in learning. n Staff know children extremely well. They use their exceptional knowledge of children's interests and individual needs to plan exciting and purposeful activities. Children make excellent progress from their starting points. n Partnerships with parents are excellent. Parents highly commend the nursery and are actively involved in all aspects of their child's learning and development. Amongst other things, they are kept extremely well informed of their child's progress through an online system. n Children's behaviour is exemplary. They have a clear understanding of what is expected of them. Children learn about friendships, responsibility and including others very well. Staff consistently praise children for their positive behaviour. n Managers and staff attend a variety of purposeful training programmes, which

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This provision is outstanding

positively impacts on outcomes for children. For example, the nursery has achieved a communication award for the effective way they support children's language 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

n strengthen even further the excellent links with parents and encourage them to provide more opportunities at home to extend children's love of reading.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector completed a joint observation with the manager. n The inspector held a meeting with managers. They discussed the nursery's safeguarding practice, monitoring and self-evaluation. n The inspector looked at documentation, including a sample of children's records, planning and assessment records, and evidence of the suitability of staff. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She took account of the views of parents through discussions and written feedback.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management is outstanding

Managers are awe-inspiring and lead with conviction. They are committed to ensuring that every child receives the very best start. They continually go above and beyond to provide seamless support to families. For instance, they attend hospital appointments with parents so they can gain an insight into how they can fully support children at nursery. Managers are highly qualified and work closely with partner agencies to effectively support children's welfare. Additionally, staff are extremely well versed in the nursery's policies and procedures. They have an excellent knowledge of a wide range of safeguarding issues and how to keep children safe. Safeguarding is effective.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding

Staff are highly qualified. They are inspirational and provide teaching that is worthy of sharing with others. For example, they expertly engage all children in language-rich activities for extended periods of time. Babies smile with delight as they copy actions to their favourite rhymes. Younger children's laughter permeates throughout the setting as they hold hands with their friends to play games and sing songs. Older children initiate discussions with staff about the illustrators of books. Furthermore, children benefit from weekly Spanish lessons to further enhance their learning. Staff are highly skilled in providing opportunities for children to develop their literacy skills. For example, older children confidently write their names on white boards to self-register their attendance. Staff are continually refining ways to provide parents with support to continue their children's learning at home. For example, they have use of a home-library service.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are outstanding

British values lie at the heart of this outstanding nursery. Children learn to embrace individuality and celebrate each other's similarities and differences. From a young age, children interact with their peers with kindness and tolerance. Children know how to share resources and take turns. They listen to each other with genuine interest and communicate with respect. Children benefit immensely from a variety of activities that help to develop their understanding of the wider world. For example, children visit the local recycling centre to learn how to care for the environment. Children quickly develop an awareness of how to manage risks in their play. For instance, babies know to turn and safely crawl backwards down stairs. Staff support children's health and well-being exceptionally well. For example, children benefit from yoga sessions and being physically active as they play in the extremely well-resourced outdoor area.

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Outcomes for children are outstanding

Children of all ages are extremely motivated and keen to learn. They show remarkably high levels of concentration and enjoyment in their play. They develop strong social skills and quickly grow in confidence. Babies are curious and show secure emotional attachments as they enjoy cuddles from staff. Toddlers are inquisitive as they delight in exploring sand. Younger children keenly involve staff in their play as they immerse themselves in their imagination and make a train from crates. Older children are extremely articulate, independent and competent learners. All children make rapid progress in their learning and develop key skills for their future learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY263881 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10109691 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 0 - 4 Total number of places 105 Number of children on roll 98 Name of registered person Little B's Limited

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reference number

Date of previous inspection 2 August 2013 Telephone number 0151 944 1345

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reference number

1st Steps Day Nursery registered in 2003. The nursery employs 23 members of childcare staff. Of these, 17 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, and two hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6. The nursery managers hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 6 and one holds qualified teacher status. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday all year round, except for bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm. 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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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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If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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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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