First Little Steps Day Nursery Ltd

Inspection of First Little Steps Day Nursery Ltd 195 Middleton Road, Carshalton SM5 1HE

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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

Children are welcomed to the nursery by warm, friendly staff. Children, including those who have recently started, separate from their carers with ease. They are encouraged to independently hang up belongings. Staff have established close relationships with children, who benefit from cuddles and attentive interactions. This supports them to develop feelings of safety and security. Toddlers and pre- school children showcase their developing independence. They choose activities and cut their own fruit using knives at snack time. They have developed a good understanding of self-care, while toileting and washing their hands.

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The provision is good

Children are physically active every day, accessing the well-equipped garden and climbing walls, riding bikes and constructing with large blocks. They join 'funky finger' activities, which help them develop strength for pre-writing. Staff encourage children to use words from their home languages, and celebrate these during circle time. Children's early language is particularly supported well. Staff model listening, they repeat and pronounce words correctly for children. They use visual prompts and sign language to support all children. Staff swiftly identify children who may have an additional need. They put support in place to ensure these children make good progress.

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need to do better?

n The key-person system is effective. All staff have built strong relationships with children. The nursery gathers information about children and their families when they start. This helps build on their interests and support their next steps. Children settle at their own pace; staff are caring towards children and children seek them out to share their interests. Children are encouraged to follow rules within the nursery, such as tidying up. This helps them to learn about caring for their environment. n The curriculum has a holistic approach, is well designed and builds on the interests of the children that attend. Children are encouraged to be creative through role play and art activities, helping them to develop a sense of belonging. Children of all ages mix together as they play, where older children model expected behaviour. However, there are occasions where the environment becomes less organised, leading to some inconsistency in how well

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need to do better?

children are engaged. There are opportunities to develop early mathematical skills throughout the environment. Older children count in order as they build towers and use language around quantity as they fill and empty containers. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported, overall. Staff are advocates for children with SEND, maintaining excellent links with the local children's centre. Staff work cohesively with families and professionals to ensure early support is put in place. Children from

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need to do better?

25 September 2023 disadvantaged backgrounds are supported well, additional funding is thoughtfully used to help them acquire essential skills to progress, such as good communication skills. n Leadership at the nursery is strong, leaders spend a significant time monitoring practice and ensuring children's individual needs are met. They complete regular supervisions and check-ins with staff. They then use this to support good continuing professional development and well-being. However, some staff would benefit from further training to support children with additional needs. Leaders work closely with the local authority to support development at the nursery, for example working with specialist teachers and applying for grants to enhance their sensory space. n Parent partnerships are strong. Parents comment on how caring and friendly staff are, and how quickly their children are settling at the nursery. Leaders

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need to do better?

ensure they keep parents informed about children's progress, meeting regularly with them and sharing activities to extend learning further. They work hard to sign post parents to additional support at the local family hub, and provide parents with information on how to use the internet safely. They educate children and their families about healthy meal and lifestyle choices, which supports children to have the best start in life.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff complete regular risk assessments on the environment and head count children regularly. There is sufficient knowledge of reporting procedures for any concerns about a child or an adult. Alongside knowledge of how to identify concerns for other areas, such as domestic violence and abuse linked to faith or belief. Leaders ensure all staff keep their paediatric first-aid training up to date. They keep abreast of local safeguarding issues and have good systems for checking the ongoing suitability of staff.

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should:

n continue to strengthen training opportunities, so that staff can support children with additional needs even further n review the organisation of the learning environment to ensure children of all ages remain highly engaged in activities.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2648324 Local authority Sutton Inspection number 10301092 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 38 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person First Little Steps Day Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07730481449 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

First Little Steps Day Nursery Ltd registered in July 2021. The nursery is based in the London Borough of Sutton and is open from 8am to 6pm, term time only. There are four staff working with the children. Of these, one has qualified teacher status, two hold a level 3 qualification and one staff member is unqualified. The nursery offers funding for free early years 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 provider. n The deputy manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation during circle time. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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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

25 September 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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