First Steps Nursery School (Dore) Ltd

Inspection of First Steps Nursery School (Dore) Ltd First Steps Nursery School, Dore Old School, Savage Lane, Sheffield S17 3GW

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Children are happy as they enter the nursery and show eagerness and enthusiasm about their learning. They are very keen to participate in all activities that are available. This environment enables children to access all areas of the indoor provision. Children show confidence in their learning abilities and share their achievements with staff. In response, staff offer praise and recognition for children's successes and invite children to celebrate these. Children thrive and benefit from a highly ambitious curriculum that incorporates the seven areas of early learning.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's personal, social and emotional development is very well supported, with children's well-being a primary focus of the nursery, along with communication and language. Children's learning and next steps are tailored to individual needs and capabilities, including individual education plans. Children acquire appropriate skills very well. Inclusive practice is excellent and the provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exceptional.

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The provision is outstanding

Children develop close attachments to the caring and nurturing staff, who provide the children with feelings of safety and security. Children behave remarkably well and form strong friendships with one another. Staff work hard to get to know and understand the children in their care. This is done by providing settling-in visits, which staff use to observe children while playing and then use this information to plan more activities based on the children's interests.

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need to do better?

n The extremely dedicated leadership team leads by example and offers continuous support, encouragement and guidance to the highly qualified staff team. Leaders have excellent practices in place to promote staff's well-being. This includes development and training opportunities within the nursery as well as additional opportunities for discussions and reflection. n Leaders are effective in decision-making that provides support for the whole staff team by arranging regular staff meetings and discussions. This ensure that staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities for the nursery and how best to support the children and their families. Leaders and managers also use these meetings to identify appropriate curriculum activities for the children. Staff are also able to contribute to this process, which encourages a collaborative ethos. n Children's progress is tracked and monitored meticulously so that appropriate

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need to do better?

next steps are planned to support children's development. Leaders provide staff with clear aims and objectives for what they want children to know and learn. Children make excellent progress and are ready for the next stages in their development.

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need to do better?

3 June 2025 n The nursery's ambitious curriculum focuses on developing children's physical, social and communication skills, along with a particular emphasis on early literacy and mathematics. For example, children are encouraged to make shapes that can be folded to create symmetrical patterns. This helps to develop an early understanding of these mathematics concepts. Children are also encouraged to look at books at regular intervals during their time at the nursery. This helps to develop a love of reading. n Staff engage well with children and promote conversation skills by talking to children constantly during learning activities. For example, children play with the small figures and are shown words that support the activity. This builds on children's knowledge and understanding of words such as 'cat', 'mat' and 'bat' as well as the concept of rhyming words with the replacement of letters. n Parents compliment the dedicated staff on how well they support children in

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need to do better?

their development. Parents are invited to contribute to children's online learning profiles. They are provided with information about what children are learning about at the nursery as well as daily care routines. n The nursery is highly inclusive. Children with SEND excel in their development. Staff work in partnership with other professionals and help children focus their learning. Staff also provide consistency with rules and boundaries that support children's understanding and promote positive behaviour. Children behave well and demonstrate good manners. n Children are encouraged to be independent. This is done through a series of activities, including being encouraged to make choices and decisions for themselves, self-dressing, washing their hands and toileting independently. This has an impact on children's personal development, as they understand more of their own capabilities and develop a sense of self-assurance.

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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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Setting details

Unique reference number EY448429 Local authority Sheffield Inspection number 10392918 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 40 Number of children on roll 60 Name of registered person First Steps Nursery School (Dore) Limited

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reference number

Telephone number 0114 235 3801 Date of previous inspection 17 October 2019

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Information about this early years setting

First Steps Nursery School (Dore) Ltd registered in 2012. It is situated in a converted school building in Dore, Sheffield. The nursery employs 14 members of childcare staff. Of these, eight hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or higher, including five with qualified teacher status and one with a masters degree in early years. The nursery opens Monday to Friday for 45 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 5.30pm. The nursery offers the government- funded places for childcare.

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Inspection activities

n The senior teacher joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. 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 senior teacher and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n Parents shared their views of the nursery with the inspector. 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

3 June 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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