Stepping Stones Nursery

Inspection of Stepping Stones Nursery Gledhow Lane, LEEDS LS8 1RT

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Overall effectiveness Good

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

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The provision is good

Children are happy and have formed good relationships with their key person. Settling-in sessions are tailored to individual children as staff recognise that some children may take longer to settle than others. Babies settle quickly and demonstrate they feel safe, giving them the confidence to explore the room independently. Transitions to other rooms are also well supported.

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The provision is good

Staff have good knowledge of child development and are aware of when children may require additional support. There are clear plans in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This helps to ensure all children can make good progress and be ready for their next stage of learning, including school.

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The provision is good

Staff model a range of positive behaviours and teach children about different emotions. This helps to support children to understand how they are feeling. For example, staff ask children about times when they have felt happy or shocked and explore these feelings in more detail. Staff plan a range of exciting activities that allow children to have choices in where they play. As a result, children become engaged in their learning. For example, children are interested in a local carnival taking place. They enjoy in dressing up with garlands and blow horns to replicate the sounds from the carnival.

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need to do better?

n Children's opinions are highly valued. A 'pre-school council' ensures children have a voice within the nursery. The council takes part in meetings at a nearby café to discuss a variety of topics. This gives children an immense sense of pride and helps them to feel valued. n The nursery forms an integral part of the local community. Educational trips and outings are carefully planned to teach children how to become active citizens. Children visit the local residential home to meet and engage with residents. Likewise, residents visit children in the nursery. This teaches children further about who lives within their local community. Children also take part in activities, such as litter picking and sponsored walks, to raise money for charities that are relevant to families attending the nursery. n A well-sequenced curriculum builds on children's knowledge as they move through the nursery. Staff complete regular assessments to identify any gaps in

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need to do better?

children's learning. Leaders and managers regularly meet with staff to discuss children's progress. This gives a clear oversight of the nursery and helps to identify any additional training needs for staff. For example, there has recently been a focus on supporting children's listening and attention skills. n Staff skilfully embed a range of mathematical language within play and daily

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need to do better?

7 August 2025 routines. For example, staff use language such as 'heavy' in context. Additionally, staff provide children with mathematical problems, such as asking how many more cups they might need for all of the children. This helps to provide children with number problems in context. n Children's language is generally well supported. Staff model a range of words to children clearly and engage in discussions. However, while children are confident in their learning and ask a range of questions, opportunities for staff to extend children's language and thinking skills further in a meaningful way, are sometimes overlooked. n Children are extremely independent and love to help. At mealtimes, children help to hand out plates and cups to their friends. Children pour their own drinks and serve themselves. Staff give children small jobs to complete like putting away a book. Children thrive on these additional responsibilities.

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need to do better?

n Leaders and managers are passionate and dedicated to their role. Apprentices are well supported and qualified staff have opportunities to pursue higher qualifications to deepen their understanding of child development. The manager regularly checks in on staff's well-being. Along with robust recruitment processes and highly focused professional development opportunities, this ensures suitable people are recruited and retained. n Partnerships with parents are strong. Staff ensure parents are fully involved in nursery life and their children's learning. The nursery shares information with parents through an online app that parents value. The manager holds regular meetings with a panel of parents. Together with questionnaires, this helps to determine areas for development. Parents are able to attend workshops in the setting, for example, to help them understand about their children's readiness for school. Parents value these and the information shared.

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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 further develop staff's ability to extend children's language and thinking skills in a meaningful way.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY544696 Local authority Leeds Inspection number 10407378 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 85 Number of children on roll 151 Name of registered person Stepping Stones Nursery School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01132668005 Date of previous inspection 7 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

Stepping Stones Nursery registered in 2017. The nursery employs 29 members of childcare staff. Of these, 24 hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above, including three at level 6. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, excluding bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6.30pm. The nursery provides government-funded childcare

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Inspection activities

n The inspector viewed the provision and discussed the safety and suitability of the premises. n The manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the nursery and discussed the early years curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to the manager about how they support children with SEND. 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 inspector observed the interactions between staff and children. n The inspector carried out a joint observation of an activity with the manager. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the

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Inspection activities

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

7 August 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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