First Step Nursery Day Care

Inspection of First Step Nursery Day Care 52 Deptford, Broadway, Deptford, London SE8 4PH

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Requires improvement

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The provision is good

Children benefit from a well-resourced environment and activities that build on their interests and extend their learning. They are happy, confident and eager to choose an activity that interests them from the moment that they arrive at the nursery. The manager and staff set high expectations and plan a curriculum that suits the needs of all children. For example, they provide an extensive range of play and learning experiences in the garden to stimulate children's curiosity. Children display a positive attitude to learning. For example, pre-school children maintained high levels of concentration and engagement while listening and re- enacting scenes from their favourite story, 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt'. Babies are curious and move confidently in the well-organised play area. For example, on the day of the inspection, babies became enthralled while exploring play foam; some decided to sit in the foam and used their hands and feet to explore its

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The provision is good

texture, supporting their physical development. Meanwhile, toddlers enjoyed practising their mark-making skills while using rollers to paint. Overall, children behave well and are making good progress in their learning and development.

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need to do better?

n Self-evaluation is effective. The management team and staff work well in conjunction with other early years professionals and specialists. They have implemented many positive changes since the last inspection to raise the quality of education to consistently good levels. n The management team has introduced a simpler assessment system to improve accuracy and ease workload for staff. Staff report that they are now able to track children's learning easily. They can identify any weaknesses and plan challenging activities to address them. In addition, parents are now able to see what their children are learning and how they can extend this at home to help provide continuity. n There is a high proportion of children who speak English as an additional language. Staff use effective teaching strategies to help improve their communication and language skills, overall. Some older children are becoming confident communicators and use a good range of vocabulary. They were

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need to do better?

excited to talk to the inspector and share their experiences at the nursery. n The systems used by the manager to monitor staff are effective and help to support their ongoing professional development. The manager and staff benefit from good training opportunities and they are encouraged to reflect on their practice. n The manager and staff provide a well-designed curriculum. This helps children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to acquire the skills they need for future learning and life. For example, they organise and fund trips to farms and other interesting places for the children to become familiar with

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need to do better?

17 January 2020 things that they would not normally have at home. This successfully builds on children's understanding of the world. Staff provide healthy meals and regular outdoor play to support children's physical well-being. n Overall, staff give clear rules and expectations for behaviour and encourage children to share and take turns. This helps children to understand the difference between right and wrong. However, staff do not consistently build on children's awareness of risks and how to stay safe, to help minimise disruption to their play. For example, some children did not use play equipment safely when playing outside. n The key-person system is effective. Staff spend time getting to know the children well and build secure attachments. This contributes positively to children's emotional well-being. n Parents speak positively about the nursery. Parents report that staff are approachable, keep them well informed and treat their children as individuals.

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need to do better?

n The arrangements for children who are delayed in their communication and language development are not strong enough to help them catch up with children of similar ages.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding is effective. Staff have a suitable understanding of the nursery's safeguarding policy. They know what action to take should they have any concerns about children's welfare, including their responsibilities under the 'Prevent' duty. The manager and provider follow rigorous procedures when they recruit new staff and induct them thoroughly to help ensure they are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities. The manager ensures that risk assessment is thorough and deploys staff well to supervise and support children's learning.

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should:

n review and improve existing arrangements to support children who are delayed in their communication and language development, to help them make the best possible progress n build on children's awareness of how to use play equipment safely and minimise disruption to their play and learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY422898 Local authority Lewisham Inspection number 10106859 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 1 to 4 Total number of places 41 Number of children on roll 57 Name of registered person First Step Daycare & Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 0208 0454421 Date of previous inspection 12 March 2019

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Information about this early years setting

First Step Nursery Day Care registered in 2011 and is located in the London Borough of Lewisham. The nursery operates each weekday from 7.30am to 6.15pm. It receives funding for the provision of early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs 11 staff who work directly with the children. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications ranging from level 2 to level 6.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and its impact on children's learning both indoors and outside. n A learning walk of the play areas was conducted by the inspector. n The inspector spoke with staff at appropriate times and took into account the views of the children and parents spoken to on the day of inspection. n An observation was conducted by the inspector with the nursery manager and discussions were held about children's learning. n The inspector looked at a range of documents, including evidence of staff suitability and qualifications.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection 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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Inspection activities

17 January 2020 regulates and inspects to 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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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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