Little Steps Day Nursery

Inspection of Little Steps Day Nursery 1 Lancaster Road, St. Albans AL1 4EP

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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

Staff provide a happy and homely environment in which children thrive. Children are warmly greeted by staff, which helps to provide a smooth transition for the children's day. The manager knows what she wants children to learn and why. The nursery's curriculum is ambitious for all children and has a clear focus on helping them to acquire the key skills they need for their future learning. Staff provide children with a curriculum that is bespoke to their needs, particularly children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children make good rates of progress. Staff are nurturing towards babies, and they tailor the care to their individual needs. Staff support older children to develop their independence. They give children time to try to do things for themselves, such as dressing appropriately for outdoor play. Children enjoy being active outdoors in the fresh air, whatever the weather. They lead their own learning experiences. Children giggle with their

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The provision is good

friends as they splash in muddy puddles.

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The provision is good

Children are kind and behave well. They show an awareness of sharing resources and playing with others. Staff model good behaviour, and children learn about boundaries and expectations. Staff praise children throughout the day. This helps to raise children's self-esteem and develop their confidence.

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need to do better?

n The manager has designed a curriculum that is based around children's needs. Staff are aware of children's interests and know what each child needs to learn next. They follow what children want to do. When they identify children's specific individual needs, staff are confident in teaching the skills that children need to make progress, particularly for those with SEND. However, some staff do not always clearly understand what children should be learning during some planned activities. n Staff interact with children well, supporting their communication and language skills effectively. They regularly read stories and sing rhymes with children, providing good opportunities for them to hear and practise using words. Children enjoy joining in with stories and confidently talk about the pictures and what is happening in the book. n Children are familiar with the routines of the day. Staff understand the

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need to do better?

importance of consistent daily routines to promote children's feelings of security and their expectations of what happens now and what comes next. Children know what is coming next as staff give them cues to indicate a change in routine. They show their friends the picture timetable and turn over the sand timer to show that it is tidy-up time. n Staff place a strong focus on supporting children's emotional well-being. They help children to learn self-regulation and social skills. For example, older children

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need to do better?

28 March 2024 take part in activities to help them feel calm. Children listen to others and take turns to choose a colour for their 'breathing rainbow'. n Children of all ages enjoy being outside. Babies practise walking and climbing over the step to the garden. Older children explore the muddy slope and hunt for bugs. They enjoy walking and running up and down the slope and they hold hands and wait for their friends. They find a place to dig and explore the texture of soil and use words such as 'soft', 'hard' and 'wet'. Staff talk to children about how the texture of soil changes when it rains. Children develop a good understanding of the importance of outdoor play, keeping physically active and getting fresh air. n Parents speak highly of the support and care that they and their children receive. Staff work with parents and involve them in their children's learning. The manager meets with parents to gather feedback and share ideas on the

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need to do better?

plans for the nursery. n Staff speak positively about their roles in the nursery. They share what they have learned from training and measure the impact that this has on children. For example, recent training for working with babies and toddlers has helped staff to explore the unique care and development needs of under-twos. This helps them to further develop their interactions with children.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n strengthen teaching practice even further to help staff develop a clear understanding of the sequencing and priorities for learning so that they are implemented consistently across the nursery.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2664083 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10333076 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 52 Number of children on roll 65 Name of registered person Little Steps Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01727856651 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Little Steps Day Nursery registered in 2021 and is situated in St Albans. The nursery employs 16 members of childcare staff. Of these, 14 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above. The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 7.45am to 6pm. The nursery 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 nursery 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 nursery. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked about the nursery's curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Staff spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager. 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 how they check 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

28 March 2024 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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