Newtown Community Learning Center t/a First Steps Day Nursery

Inspection of Newtown Community Learning Center t/a First Steps Day Nursery Newtown Community Primary School, Newtown Road, Carlisle, Cumbria CA2 7LW

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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 Outstanding

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The provision is good

Staff know children well and create a friendly and inviting environment where children happily learn and play. Children play independently and with their friends, choosing from the wide range of enticing resources and activities. Staff join children's play and embed their learning well. They ask thoughtful questions to extend children's thinking skills and refer to prior learning. Staff promote interesting discussions offering children a wide vocabulary to hear and practise. Staff understand what children need to learn next and plan effectively to build on what they know and can do. Staff embed the golden rules of the nursery throughout children's learning fostering confidence and boosting children's self- esteem. Staff are good role models and children generally display positive attitudes towards their learning.

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The provision is good

Staff foster a sense of excitement about the next stage of children's education. Children learn and practise the skills they will need as they move on to school. Staff promote a love of books and stories. Children listen attentively as staff read with enthusiasm, capturing children's interest. Staff sing interesting songs which children enjoy learning and demonstrating. Children enjoy hearing the sounds they can make with unusual instruments such as an accordion. Staff help children to adopt healthy habits such as good hygiene and oral health routines. Children learn physical skills and about keeping their bodies healthy through movement, for example. Children make good progress in all areas of their learning.

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need to do better?

n Staff promote children's language skills well. They use interesting contextual vocabulary such as talking about pigments while painting. Staff encourage parents to read with their children at home. Back-and-forth interactions support babies early communication skills. Children become articulate and confident in their communications. n Children learn social skills such as sitting for meals with their friends, taking turns and sharing resources. Staff support children to manage their own self- care needs. They learn skills such as setting the table for snacks and clearing away their own crockery afterwards. Children become increasingly independent. n Staff teach children about managing risk and keeping themselves and others safe. For instance, they learn about water safety through a fun song. They also find out how guide dogs help to keep people with visual impairments safe. Staff help children to appreciate and celebrate their unique characteristics. Children's

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need to do better?

personal development is thoughtfully considered. n Tailored strategies support children's individual needs and help to narrow and close gaps identified through effective monitoring of their progress. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those in receipt of additional

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need to do better?

Nursery 24 June 2025 funding are supported well. Funding is spent thoughtfully, and staff access timely support from other professionals. All children make good progress from their starting points. n Staff's sensitive interactions with babies help them to settle well and form attachments to their key staff. Babies are busy and curious, generally enjoying their play and experiences. On occasion, staff do not adapt routines to help babies get the most benefit from each aspect of their day. For instance, staff interrupt babies who are engaged in their play, moving them on to a different activity before they are ready. n Staff are positive role models and children generally behave well. However, staff do not always ensure that children understand the expectations of them at nursery. For instance, staff are occasionally unsure about how to manage some aspects of children's behaviour and about how to promote consistent

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need to do better?

understanding. n Staff build supportive relationships with parents who note how helpful and supportive staff are. Staff offer individual support around parenting issues such as weaning and sleep routines. The good two-way flow of information between parents and staff promotes consistency of children's care and learning. n Leaders are reflective of practice and the provision and receptive to advice and ideas. They seek out the views of staff and parents. Leaders offer strong support for staff who are new to the sector and to those wishing to develop and enhance their practice further. Staff training is targeted to enhance the quality of practice and education. Staff feel valued in their roles and children benefit from the continual drive to raise standards.

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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 staff to manage routines for the youngest children to foster a sense of choice and control throughout their day n develop staff's confidence to help all children understand the expectations of them to promote consistently positive attitudes and behaviours.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY288187 Local authority Cumberland Inspection number 10392143 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 68 Number of children on roll 55 Name of registered person Newtown Community Learning Centre

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reference number

Telephone number 01228 522249 Date of previous inspection 6 August 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Newtown Community Learning Center t/a First Steps Day Nursery registered in 2004. The nursery operates independently on the site of Newtown Community School in Carlisle, Cumbria. Sessions are from 8am until 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year. There are nine staff employed at the nursery. The manager holds a level 5 qualification. Seven staff hold appropriate qualifications at levels 2 and 3. The nursery offers government funded places for childcare and early education.

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Inspection activities

n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children and staff spoke to the inspector during the inspector. n The inspector spoke with the nominated individual about the leadership and management of the setting. n Parent shared their views with the inspector. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, along with the manager, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. 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

Nursery 24 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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