First Steps

Inspection of First Steps 5 Cheshunt Park Farm, Cheshunt Park, Cheshunt, WALTHAM CROSS, Hertfordshire EN7 6PZ

p.1

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

p.1

The provision is good

Children arrive smiling and quickly separate from their parents. Leaders and staff create a very warm and nurturing environment, where children are at the heart of everything they do and thrive. They are prompted to make their own choices of activities and resources to explore, indoors or in the large, stimulating garden. For example, when children express a particular interest in superheroes, staff provide dressing-up costumes and encourage them to engage in pretend play. As children play a role in this game and giggle with excitement, the nurturing staff ensure they take turns and share resources well. This helps supports children's imaginative skills and strengthens their social interactions.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff are very supportive and intuitive about children's needs. They have high expectations of children who are confident to follow the nursery's routines and boundaries exceptionally well. Children behave well and display good manners. For example, at snack time, young children are supported to make their own choices of fruits, while older children are encouraged to pour their own drinks. Staff and leaders continuously offer praise and recognition for children's efforts. As a result, children become positive and independent learners who show they feel valued during their time at the nursery.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff and leaders are very inclusive. Children form warm and effective relationships with all staff right from the start. Staff provide opportunities for children to broaden their experiences and understanding of the world as they often organise trips and outings to the local woods. They also take them to the farm to watch the horses, helping them to develop empathy towards living creatures. n Staff have good knowledge and understanding of children's development. They carefully consider children's needs and interests when planning a wide selection of activities that follow specific topics of learning. Staff complete regular observations, progress assessments and plan for the next steps in children's learning, which they share with the parents. Furthermore, they offer parents the opportunity to review their children's learning journals. However, staff do not always consistently adapt their interactions to help extend children's learning

p.2

need to do better?

further. n Staff create meaningful opportunities for older children to develop their mathematical skills in preparation for school. They organise fun games and prompt children to count and recognise numerals. Children quickly become confident in their mathematical skills and count to 22. In addition, staff also encourage children to develop their understanding of concepts such as 'loud' and 'quiet'. Children follow instructions correctly as they bang their drums 'very loud'

p.2

need to do better?

20 March 2025 or 'very quiet'. This also supports children's listening and attention skills. n Children enjoy exploring various sensory activities in the garden. A group of children use different materials to decorate a tree template to turn winter trees into summer trees. Staff clearly explain and demonstrate the purpose of the activity. They talk with the children about the colours they will be choosing to practise colour recognition. Staff also support younger children to spread the glue on the paper before sticking the leaves on. This supports children's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. n Children have opportunities to embrace a healthy lifestyle. In the garden, children use bicycles to ride on the tracks. They also explore large slides with great control, building on their gross motor skills, balance and coordination. Children also enjoy exploring a tray with sand, stones and diggers. As children

p.2

need to do better?

skilfully scoop the sand into the diggers, staff encourage them to talk about what they are doing. This helps to develop children's growing communication and language skills. n Leaders are reflective, with a clear vision for their nursery, and they are very passionate about what they do. Leaders value the staff who benefit from regular meetings and supervisions. They organise tailored training programmes for all staff to enhance their professional development. Leaders have formed effective relationships with other professionals, such as early years advisors from the local area. Staff and leaders are committed to providing the best start in their early education for all children. n Partnerships with parents are effective. They value the continuous support and warmth that staff and leaders offer to their children. Parents feel the communication is effective and their children make remarkable progress in their

p.3

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

p.3

Safeguarding

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

p.3

should:

n support staff to consistently adapt their interactions to extend children's learning further.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY255445 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 10372659 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 22 Number of children on roll 33 Name of registered person First Steps Partnership

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 01992 635416 Date of previous inspection 30 April 2019

p.4

Information about this early years setting

First Steps registered in 2003. The nursery employs seven members of childcare staff. Of these, six hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for all eligible children.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The inspector discussed with the manager how the curriculum is organised and what they want children to learn. n The inspector observed the quality of teaching and education and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with the staff at appropriate times throughout the inspection. n Children spoke with the inspector about the activities they were doing. n The inspector carried out a joint observation with the manager. n Parents spoke about the nursery to the inspector, who took account of their views. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of the staff working at the nursery.

p.5

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.

p.5

Inspection activities

20 March 2025 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.

p.5

Inspection activities

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspection activities

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

p.6

Inspection activities

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspection activities

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6