First Steps Day Nursery Chipping Sodbury Limited

Inspection of First Steps Day Nursery Chipping Sodbury Limited First Steps Day Nursery, Hounds Road, Chipping Sodbury, BRISTOL BS37 6EE

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are warmly welcomed by the friendly and devoted staff, whom they have formed secure relationships with. Children are friendly and confidently talk about what they are doing. They behave exceptionally well and are respectful of their friends and staff. Children say 'please' and 'thank you' and wait patiently for friends to finish activities. Staff have high expectations for children and are very good role models. Children respond well to clear routines and boundaries set. As a result, children have a strong sense of belonging at the nursery.

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The provision is good

The nursery has a clear and ambitious curriculum. Staff securely embed this through their planning and daily practice. Children show high levels of curiosity as they play and learn. Babies are inquisitive as they explore their environment. They enjoy the sensory experiences that staff offer. They calmly listen to stories in the lit-up cosy area, or smell 'mint play dough' and lemons in a large plastic tray. Younger children show excitement as toy cars travel down the ramp they have made. Staff enthusiastically join in with children's play. They skilfully use these moments to extend children's learning, such as their mathematical understanding. They discuss 'dividing fruit' and discussing shapes with the older children, such as mountains looking like triangles. Children benefit from the abundance of counting rhymes sung to them.

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need to do better?

n Partnership with parents is strong. Parents have lots of positive things to say about the nursery. They share that staff make them feel very welcome and their children are 'in safe hands'. Parents comment that there is a 'strong sense of community and belonging'. They feel included in every part of their child's learning and understand their next steps and progress. This helps encourage the continuity of care, learning and development. n Staff promote children's communication and language skills very well. They engage in conversation with the children as they play. Staff ask questions and allow the children time to think and respond. They use facial expressions and attentively respond to the sounds babies make. Toddlers learn new vocabulary and are encouraged to add words together, such as 'green pen'. Older children communicate expressively using well-constructed sentences and an extensive vocabulary.

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need to do better?

n Staff carefully plan and provide a range of opportunities based on children's interests and what they need to learn next. This positively ignites children's curiosity and thirst for learning. Children particularly enjoy group-time activities. They show delight as they join in with 'what is in the bag' or recall familiar phrases from stories. Overall, staff challenge children's abilities and check they understand what is being taught. However, occasionally, quieter children are not

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need to do better?

13 April 2023 as fully engaged as their more vocal friends. Therefore, they do not always benefit as much as possible from the learning experience. n Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities exceptionally well. The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) is very knowledgeable in her role and keeps her training up to date. She works closely with families and other professionals on children's targeted learning plans. This helps children to make good progress and promotes positive outcomes for them. n Children learn to take manageable risks. They skilfully use child safety knifes to slice their fruit for snack, and build an obstacle course outside. They develop their physical skills as they balance across the tyres and objects in place. Children have excellent attitudes to learn as they persevere when faced with difficulties. This helps develop children's self-esteem and resilience.

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need to do better?

n Children have plenty of opportunities for fresh air and play in secure outside areas. Children excitedly chase bubbles that staff have blown for them or move small logs to look for worms. They visit the local butcher's and greengrocer's with staff to buy ingredients for the nursery cook. Children borrow resources from the library to further support their learning. They have recently borrowed and enjoyed 'healthy eating' and 'road safety' boxes. n The management team have clear ambition for the nursery. They hold regular supervisions with the staff, supporting their professional development and well- being. Staff comment that they are very supported, valued and have manageable workloads. They enthusiastically talk about recent training they have attended, such as 'language champions'. Staff expertly use these skills to improve the outcomes for children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Safeguarding children is the utmost priority in the nursery. Staff implement effective risk assessments to ensure that children play and learn safely. They supervise children very well, including during meal and sleep times. Staff take part in regular training to keep their knowledge up to date. They are confident in identifying any signs and symptoms that may indicate a child is at risk of harm or abuse. Staff know how to report any concerns and the procedures to follow. This includes if they have a concern about a colleague's conduct. Recruitment procedures and suitability checks are in place to ensure children's safety.

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should:

n strengthen staff's implementation of group times to consistently meet the needs of all children who take part, especially those who are quieter than others.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY455099 Local authority South Gloucestershire Inspection number 10276688 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 54 Number of children on roll 118

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Name of registered person

First Steps Day Nursery Chipping Sodbury Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01454850134 Date of previous inspection 27 July 2017

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Information about this early years setting

First Steps Day Nursery first registered in 2005 and re-registered as a limited company in 2012. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year. There are 23 staff members who work with the children, of whom one holds a qualification at level 6 and 18 are qualified at level 3. The nursery receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years.

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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 their evaluation of the setting. n A learning walk was carried out with the manager to understand how they deliver the curriculum and what they want their children to learn. n The inspector conducted professional discussions with the leadership team, staff, the SENCo and designated safeguarding lead. n The opinions and views of parents were considered during the inspection. n The inspector observed the quality of the education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n A sample of documentation was reviewed during the inspection including suitability checks and first-aid certificates. n The manager and inspector conducted a joint observation together in the pre-

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Inspection activities

school room. n The inspector talked to the children and took account of their views.

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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

13 April 2023 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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