1st Steps Day Nursery

Inspection of 1st Steps Day Nursery 15 Cambridge Road, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 1RR

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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 Not applicable

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The provision is good

The motto of 'every little step matters' is what makes this setting so special. The atmosphere buzzes with children's excitement and their eagerness to explore. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, children wave their parents off at the front door and embrace adults with hugs. They settle exceptionally well and form close bonds with their friends. Children are happy, content and feel safe. They confidently greet the inspector. Children show him construction models and share their favourite stories with him. They behave well and show positive attitudes towards their learning.

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The provision is good

Babies giggle with delight while exploring sensory toys. They show good coordination as they climb using low-level apparatus outdoors. Toddlers show good concentration skills while they build towers and beam with delight while singing. Pre-school children attempt to write their names and become enthralled while talking about the 'Queen Ant' that they are caring for.

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The provision is good

Children spend a lot of time outdoors, exploring the 'zen garden'. They learn about the processes of planting and growing. Children talk about the life cycles of animals and search for bugs. Their laughter fills the air as they learn how to make the swing go faster and skilfully ride bicycles. Staff play ring games with children and teach them new dance moves. Children become immersed in deep imagination as they enact roles of superheroes and builders.

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need to do better?

n Leaders have a clear and aspirational vision for the setting. They lead with determination and want all children to achieve the very best. Self-evaluation is accurate and includes the views of parents and staff. A successful 'children's council' helps children to have their say about the setting. Leaders aspire to be outstanding and want the setting to be a centre of excellence. n Staff provide children with an ambitious curriculum that builds on what they know and can do. They use their good knowledge of child development to plan activities that keep children motivated to learn. Children enjoy opportunities to visit the local care home. They take gifts to the residents and sing to them in the garden. Gaps in learning close and children are well prepared for their move on to school. n Overall, care practices are good. Staff provide healthy meals and talk to children about the importance of brushing their teeth. However, staff do not always

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need to do better?

teach children about the importance of following good hygiene practices. For example, children are not always taught to cover their mouths when coughing. When staff do remind children of this, they do not always teach them the importance of washing their hands. n In the main, supervision and appraisal systems are effective. However, current

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need to do better?

18 March 2022 training and coaching for staff does not have a sharp focus on raising their practice to a higher level. For example, staff do not always provide further challenge in children's learning to help them achieve the very best. n Respect and individuality are golden threads that run throughout this setting. Staff teach children about festivals and celebrations from around the world. Children are fascinated while learning about the make-up of different families. Staff teach children that it is okay to be different. These excellent experiences help to prepare children for life in modern Britain. n Staff support children's communication and language skills very well. They teach children new words and model how to blend letter sounds together. Children are confident communicators. They discuss dinosaur names and explain to their peers the names of three-dimensional shapes. n Partnership working is good. Links with external professionals and the local

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need to do better?

authority are built on trust and respect. Parents commend staff and leaders for providing 'an amazing place for children to learn'. Parents continue their children's learning at home and speak to staff on a daily basis about their children's day at the setting. n A strength of the setting is the support it has in place for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. Leaders leave no stone unturned in their efforts to remove barriers to learning. They are relentless in their pursuit to get children the support that they rightly deserve. Intervention plans are monitored with rigour and reviewed with precision.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Robust recruitment and vetting procedures are in place. Leaders ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. The premises are safe and secure. Leaders keep staff up to date with changes in safeguarding policy and legislation. They provide regular training on how to keep children safe and protected from harm. Staff teach children about e-safety and about 'stranger danger'. Staff have a good understanding of child protection and know the referral procedure. They know about safeguarding issues, such as county lines, spiritual possession and domestic violence. Ratios are met and staff supervise children with vigilance.

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should:

n support staff to help children to learn about good hygiene practices and why these are important n strengthen the arrangements for coaching and training, to help staff raise their practice to a higher level.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY558020 Local authority Sefton Inspection number 10210468 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

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inspection

Total number of places 63 Number of children on roll 58 Name of registered person Little B's Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01519441345 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

1st Steps Day Nursery registered in 2018 and is situated in Waterloo, Liverpool. The setting employs 13 members of childcare staff. Of these, 11 members of staff hold a qualification at level 2 and above. Two staff members are unqualified. The setting opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 5.30pm. The setting provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the provider received since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the provider and has taken that into account in his evaluation. n The management team and the inspector completed a learning walk. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children throughout the day and evaluated the impact these had on children's learning. n A joint observation was carried out by the inspector and the manager. n The inspector held discussions with the management team, staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n Relevant documentation was reviewed by the inspector, including evidence of the suitability and training of staff. n The views of parents were obtained by the inspector, through discussions and written testimonials.

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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

18 March 2022 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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