Step Start Nurseries Fyfield

Inspection of Step Start Nurseries Fyfield Unit 10, Fyfield Business & Research Park, Fyfield Road, Ongar CM5 0GN

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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

Children are happy in this child-focused, nurturing nursery. They are eager to explore an impressive range of activities and authentic resources that enable them to recall real-life experiences through their play. Staff are committed to supporting all children to reach their full potential. They identify and consistently review what children need to learn next so that they learn through a sequenced approach. Babies have plenty of opportunities to explore using their senses. Staff respond to their curiosity by showing them how to make swirls in sand on the floor. This motivates babies to copy this action and discover how the sand falls as they reach up and sprinkle it. Younger children collect natural items and mix them in a saucepan in the mud kitchen. Staff interactions enhance children's imagination and expand their vocabulary. They show them how to turn a tap left and right and introduce them to words, such as 'ingredients', and their meaning. Older children

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The provision is good

learn to solve mathematical problems. Staff teach them about quantities, size and weight. This challenges their critical thinking as they make comparisons and predictions.

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The provision is good

Staff have high expectations for all children. They teach them important skills, such as how to respect other's space when lining up and to walk sensibly from the outdoor area to their rooms. Children learn about cultural festivals, such as Hanukkah. Staff support them to safely light eight candles and teach them how each one symbolises hope, faith and the miracle of light.

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need to do better?

n All children are active and develop strong physical skills. They enjoy the inviting main outdoor area. On occasion, children of all ages mix together to help them build social skills in larger groups and form positive relationships with all staff. Babies develop strength and spatial awareness as they carefully navigate the environment. Younger children quickly gain confidence in their abilities as staff provide safe and challenging activities, such as climbing large blocks and jumping onto a soft mat. Staff praise their achievements and children respond with pride, saying, 'I did it myself.' n Leaders are reflective and committed to supporting staff's professional development. They regularly observe staff practice and provide meaningful feedback. Training is targeted at the individual needs of staff. New knowledge is shared with the whole team to support a consistent approach. Leaders prioritise staff well-being and take steps to reduce any unnecessary workload.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from well-balanced and nutritional meals, where staff implement robust measures to manage any food allergies or preferences. However, daily routines such as transition times for younger children before and during lunch are not always well organised. For instance, children sit at tables and wait too

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need to do better?

7 August 2025 long for staff to offer them their full meal, so they can serve themselves. Therefore, these children are not always engaged in meaningful learning. n Partnerships with parents are a strength of the nursery. There is effective two- way communication between staff and parents. Staff share updates on children's achievements and ideas to support learning at home through an online platform and in daily conversations. Parents are warmly welcomed to parent meetings held at the weekend to help accommodate the needs of working parents. Parents describe staff as 'amazing' and 'professional' and appreciate the calm environment staff provide for their children. n Staff implement a school readiness programme that naturally builds on the ambitious child-led curriculum that inspires children to be inquisitive learners in a rich, enabling environment. This equips older children with key life skills and

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need to do better?

fosters independence. Children confidently manage personal needs, take on responsibilities and develop a love of literacy through activities, such as the 'letter of the week'. They share items from home and explore early phonics. Children show a love of books. They are appropriately challenged to write their name and familiar words. n Staff make best use of information from parents to help children swiftly settle and follow their individual routines. Babies receive warm, nurturing cuddles to help them drift off to sleep, while older children show awareness of their own need to rest after lunch. Staff diligently monitor all children as they sleep to ensure their safety. However, for older children who do not sleep and prefer learning outdoors, staff do not utilise the adjoining outdoor area at this time to reduce disruption for those who are resting. n Children's behaviour is appropriate for their age and stage of development. Staff

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need to do better?

manage minor disagreements calmly and with sensitivity. Babies learn to take turns to push the buttons on a popular toy, younger children begin to form friendships and older children learn to regulate their behaviour. They listen to each other's ideas, enabling them to resume their play harmoniously.

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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 refine the organisation of transition times for younger children, particularly before and during lunch, to minimise waiting time for children n make the most of the outdoor area for older children to fully support those children who prefer to learn outdoors and minimise disturbing children who are

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Setting details

Unique reference number 2833383 Local authority Essex Inspection number 10420937 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 70 Number of children on roll 70 Name of registered person Step Start Nurseries Fyfield Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 01277 572004 Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Information about this early years setting

Step Start Nurseries Fyfield registered in 2019. The nursery is open from 7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for one week over the Christmas period. There are 13 staff members who work directly with the children; of these, eight hold relevant childcare qualifications at level 3. The nursery provides government funded early years education for all eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The inspector and manager completed a learning walk across all the areas of the nursery to understand how the curriculum is organised. n A joint observation of an activity was carried out by the inspector and the manager. The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities indoors and outdoors. She assessed the impact this has on children's learning. n The inspector held a number of discussions with staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. n The inspector held a meeting with the manager. She looked at relevant documentation, such as evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery. n The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and their written feedback.

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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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