First Steps Nursery

Inspection of First Steps Nursery Ice House, Victor Street, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN32 7QN

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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 Good

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The provision is good

Children arrive happy and are warmly greeted by staff who know the children and community very well. Managers and staff use this knowledge to plan learning that sets high expectations for all children. This includes expectations of children's behaviour, that children quickly learn and understand. Learning is carefully thought out, so that it gives all children the skills and knowledge they need for later life.

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The provision is good

Staff encourage children to develop a love of books and stories. Children actively seek out staff members to read with them. They sit and listen in small groups together. Staff read with enthusiasm and engage children in the stories that they are reading. Children later share books with staff members. They learn to turn the pages and they attempt to retell stories from the pictures on the pages.

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The provision is good

Staff promote children's independence in many ways. They help them to access their snacks independently. They are nearby as children navigate the ladders on the slide. They encourage them to put their coats away after outdoor play. Staff show them how to put their coats on and take them off independently. Children have lots of opportunities to select their own activities and games. Staff are well deployed across the setting. They engage with small groups of children, guiding their play. This ensures that children are engaged and occupied in what they are doing.

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need to do better?

n Managers and staff help children to build on their existing knowledge and skills. For example, they carefully select books that introduce children to more information. Younger children enjoy books with textures, bold words and pictures. Older children learn about the author, title, and illustrators. Staff help children to continue to learn and securely embed knowledge. n Staff develop children's social skills. They promote turn taking as they play ball games together. Staff play a bingo game with children where they take turns. When they forget, staff sensitively remind them. Children develop their memory skills as they try to remember where their items are on a matching game. Children develop their skills across all areas of learning. n Staff help children to learn how to use cutlery as they eat their dinner. Later, children who have not had this opportunity at lunch, use cutlery to cut fruit and

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need to do better?

vegetables outdoors. This helps all children to develop their independence and fine motor skills. n During group times, staff help children to learn some simple mathematical concepts. They count with them and talk about shapes. However, mathematical concepts are not consistently introduced in child-initiated play, to help children to develop deeper knowledge in this area.

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need to do better?

5 December 2024 n Care routines are used well to promote independence and social skills. Managers are clear about how these key times help children to make good progress. They help children to learn to sit at the table. They eat together and make healthy choices. This is shared with parents so that they can do this at home. n There are strong partnerships with parents that support a two-way flow of communication. Strategies to support home learning are effective. Staff support parents to focus on self-care skills, sharing books and stories and how they can help their children's communication skills. n Staff help all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to build positive relationships and develop their skills. They focus learning so that it is targeted at individual needs. There is focused time, where they help children to develop their language and attention spans. All

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need to do better?

children make good progress from their starting points. n Managers support staff to develop their skills and knowledge. They have high expectations of all staff. They provide training opportunities and observe practice. They provide clear feedback and challenge to staff. However, this is not yet ensuring that all staff have the confidence and skills to consistently do what is expected of them. n Funding for vulnerable children is used effectively to further support children's learning. Managers carefully consider any gaps in experiences and knowledge. For example, they provide books for children to take home. Children benefit from sports and expressive arts activities that supports their confidence and self- esteem. Managers ensure that these activities are available for all children who attend on different days. This ensures that all children benefit from these exciting experiences.

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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 develop staff skills to help children to develop a deeper understanding of mathematics during child-initiated play n strengthen existing performance management procedures to focus on consistency of staff performance.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 205542 Local authority North East Lincolnshire Inspection number 10374306 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 52 Number of children on roll 96 Name of registered person First Steps Grimsby Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 01472 352524 Date of previous inspection 24 June 2019

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Information about this early years setting

First Steps Nursery registered in 1998 and is situated in Grimsby. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff. Of these, one holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, two hold qualifications at level 4, six hold qualifications at level 3 and four are qualified to level 2. The manager holds early years professional status. The nursery opens all year round from Monday to Friday. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education.

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Inspection activities

n We carried out this inspection as a result of a risk assessment, following information we received about the provider. n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. 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 snack time. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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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

5 December 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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