Step by step children's nursery Ltd

Inspection of Step by step children's nursery Ltd Polegate SDA Church, 7 Hailsham Road, Polegate, East Sussex BN26 6NJ

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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 are enthusiastic as they welcome children into the setting. The caring interactions of staff helps children to settle quickly. Staff effectively support all children to make good progress in their learning, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They place a high priority on children's emotional security. Staff show genuine care and affection for children and respond sensitively when children need more support.

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The provision is good

Staff have clear expectations for children's behaviour, and they model this well. They listen to what children have to say. All children, particularly younger children, are given time to process instructions. This allows them to contribute their own thoughts and opinions. Staff support children to be curious in their play. For example, children become excited when finding worms in the soil. Staff use this time to encourage children to think about the characteristics of other small creatures. They learn that insects have six legs and worms live underground. Staff remind children to always be kind and gently replace creatures where they have found them.

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The provision is good

Staff have organised the learning environment well to enable children at different stages of development to play safely. Children demonstrate that they are happy and confident as they make their own choices about their play. Staff positively nurture the children in their care and recognise that each child is unique.

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need to do better?

n Leaders regularly review all aspects of the provision. They have a good understanding of the setting's strengths and areas that need development. Staff feedback that the nursery is a 'wonderful place to work'. They feel that leaders are supportive and are invested in their well-being. Leaders value the importance of working in partnership with parents. Staff work closely with parents and ensure that children who need additional support are given a targeted programme which allows them to make progress in their learning. n Staff effectively support children's communication and language development. They model language well as they engage in conversations with children. Staff make use of visual cues to reinforce vocabulary for those children who are not yet speaking. Children engage in rhymes and stories throughout the day. Staff explore sounds with children. For example, younger children join in making

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need to do better?

animal sounds as they discover farm animals in a box. Older children contribute their thoughts when staff read stories to them. n Staff know each child well and they use this knowledge to provide a broad and balanced range of activities. However, staff do not always plan all aspects of the curriculum in a well-sequenced way. For example, they provide children with

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need to do better?

29 May 2025 regular access to paint and sensory activities. Children enjoy the opportunities to express themselves creatively but staff do not fully consider how to introduce new ideas or teaching to extend children's skills. Consequently, some planned activities do not consistently build on what children know and need to know next. n Children learn about healthy lifestyles. Staff provide them with opportunities to develop their physical skills. They plan environments that encourage children to be physically active. Children develop their core muscles as they confidently climb, run and jump in the garden. They negotiate space as they use ride-on toys. Staff teach children how to propel themselves forward using their feet. Children are provided with a nutritious home-cooked meal and take part in activities to encourage good oral health. n Staff provide opportunities for children to develop their independence through

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need to do better?

daily routines. For example, older children use a tray to collect their plates and food. They pour their own drinks. Younger children are given support in practising tasks, such as putting on coats and taking shoes off. Children of all ages show high levels of independence in their play, confidently choosing activities and taking a lead in their own learning. These experiences help to equip children with the abilities needed to enable them to thrive in the next phase of their learning, such as going to school. n Staff provide a rich set of opportunities that help children to learn about people, families and communities beyond their own experience. Children have very regular day trips in the nursery's minibus. They learn about the natural world as they experience watching chicks hatching from eggs. Staff take children to visit elderly residents of a local care home. This helps children to learn that not all

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need to do better?

disabilities can be seen and helps them to develop empathy for others.

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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 support all staff to plan more precisely for what they want children to learn and to understand how to reflect this in the delivery of the curriculum.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2731598 Local authority East Sussex Inspection number 10399020 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 21 Number of children on roll 43 Name of registered person Step by Step Children's Nursery Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07485147294 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Step by step children's nursery Ltd re-registered in 2023. The nursery is situated in Polegate, East Sussex and employs seven members of staff. Of these staff, six hold appropriate childcare qualifications up to level six. The nursery is open all year round from 7.30am to 5.30pm and provides government funded early education places for children aged from nine months to four years.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and the inspector completed a learning walk and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector observed the quality of education during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector spoke with staff and children during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector completed a joint observation together. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. n The inspector viewed relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of staff working in the setting.

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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

29 May 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.

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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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