Little Stepping Stones Day Nurseries

Inspection of Little Stepping Stones Day Nurseries Argento Tower, Mapleton Road, London SW18 4GA

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 Requires improvement

p.1

The provision is good

The provider has taken steps to improve since the last inspection. Leaders and managers have engaged with the local authority to access support and guidance to improve the quality of care and learning experiences for children. Children are lively and excited to attend the nursery. They arrive happy and part from their parents and carers with ease. Children greet their friends with smiles and hugs and quickly settle in to play. They confidently make choices about where to play, such as exploring in the sand tray or building with construction blocks. Older children develop their imaginations as this role play with dolls together. Children learn to follow simple rules, such as 'good listening' and 'walking feet', which helps them to learn to regulate their behaviour.

p.2

The provision is good

Staff support children to gain confidence in their physical abilities. Toddlers learn to move their bodies. They spin around saying 'whee' and join in with action songs. Older children gain more control of their bodies, such as they learn to throw and catch balls during daily trips to the park. Staff support children to learn about the world around them. Children enjoy discovering wildlife in the park. They explore the texture of bark and pick flowers to give to staff. The provider has clear learning intentions for children. The curriculum is sequenced well so children have opportunities to build on their abilities and make good progress. As a result, children are well prepared for each stage in their learning.

p.2

need to do better?

n Staff know children well and build good relationships with them. They observe where children are making progress and use this to plan the next steps in their development. Staff know what they want children to learn and plan suitable activities to support this, such as threading beads to develop their hand-eye coordination. n Children are interested and engaged in the learning experiences provided. Toddlers persevere to stack rings and pre-school children concentrate as they make rainbow fish with dough. Overall, children develop positive attitudes to their learning. n At times, staff focus on teaching children in group activities, such as circle time and parachute games. However, they do not tailor these activities consistently to meet the learning needs of all children. This means that some children find it difficult to maintain attention and join in. However, this does not significantly impact on children's development overall.

p.2

need to do better?

n There are effective strategies in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff implement plans effectively to help children to join in with learning experiences, such as giving them resources to help them focus. The provider liaises with parents and carers and other

p.2

need to do better?

12 June 2025 professionals. As a result, children receive a consistent approach to their learning. n Staff use songs to support children's understanding of instructions, such as how to wash their hands. They use repeated words so children learn new vocabulary, such as the names of animals. Children engage in back-and-forth conversations and respond to questions. Children's communication and language development is supported well. n Children learn to meet own personal needs, such as using the toilet independently and taking off their shoes. Staff remind them to have a drink regularly and talk to them about healthy foods. This teaches children important skills for later life. n Staff encourage children to take turns with resources. Older children ask to use craft materials and toddlers say 'my turn' when they want a book. Staff recognise children's achievements and give them lots of praise and encouragement. This supports children's personal, social and emotional

p.2

need to do better?

development. n Partnerships with parents are good. Staff share regular updates on children's progress through written reports and face-to-face meetings. Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive and speak highly of the good care provided by the staff team. n Leaders and managers are strong role models. They model positive interactions with children and support staff during busy times of day. Staff say they feel very supported and receive frequent guidance and advice to understand their responsibilities. n Leaders and managers are reflective and recognise areas where there is still room for improvement. For example, they recognise where staff need support and take steps to provide learning opportunities to help them develop their practice. This indicates that the improvements made will be maintained and children will continue to receive a good level of care and learning.

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 develop the planning of group activities further so they meet the learning needs of all children.

p.3

Setting details

Unique reference number EY467575 Local authority Wandsworth Inspection number 10358485 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

p.4

Registers

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

p.4

inspection

Total number of places 40 Number of children on roll 29 Name of registered person Little Stepping Stones Ltd

p.4

reference number

Telephone number 02088706824 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2024

p.4

Information about this early years setting

Little Stepping Stones Day Nurseries registered in 2013 and is located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The nursery is open each weekday, from 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year, except for bank holidays. There are 11 members of staff, including the manager. Of these, nine staff hold early years qualifications between level 2 and level 7. The nursery provides government funded childcare.

p.4

Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want children to learn. n Children told the inspector about their friends and what they like to do when they are at the nursery. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact on children's learning. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector carried out joint observations of group activities with the manager.

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

12 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.

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