Step By Step Nursery

Summary of outcome

All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, which you can find at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right.

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Summary of outcome

We received multiple concerns that the provider was not meeting requirements relating to safeguarding policies and procedures, whistleblowing, qualifications, training support and skills, supporting and understanding children's behaviour, special educational needs, safety and suitability of premises and the areas of learning and development.

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Summary of outcome

On 9 April 2026, we carried out a regulatory visit. We found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. We have served a welfare requirements notice. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this.

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that leaders implement and monitor procedures in relation to the safe storage of mobile phones and other devices that record to safeguard children and that staff follow these procedures at all times

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that all staff, leaders and Managers understand and follow the appropriate procedures to raise concerns about those working with children in line with local safeguarding partners

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Summary of outcome

n implement an effective induction process for new staff to regularly review progress and provide appropriate support and mentoring for them to fully understand and fulfil their roles

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Summary of outcome

n implement effective arrangements for staff supervision to provide all staff, including managers, with a purposeful programme of professional development and foster a culture of mutual support and teamwork across the nursery

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that all food and drink is stored appropriately and is safe for consumption, and that those in charge of working with food are supported to complete their role effectively

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Summary of outcome

n provide appropriate support to the SENCO to enable them to fulfil their role effectively, ensuring that formal plans for children requiring additional support are reviewed regularly so they can make sustained progress

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Summary of outcome

n deploy staff effectively to ensure children's individual and emotional needs are met, enabling them to form secure relationships with their key person

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that parents are fully informed about accidents that take place in line with written policies and that those with oversight continually monitor this process

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that all documentation and information is up to date, well organised and easily accessible to Ofsted Inspectors upon request.

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Summary of outcome

On 27 April 2026, we carried out an inspection. We found the provider had met some of the safeguarding and welfare actions but not others. Leaders had enhanced procedures to ensure that mobile phones and recording devices were safely stored and staff understand the process to follow. Arrangements to store food and drink safely and ensure it is safe for consumption have been strengthened. Additionally, the kitchen is properly organised and managed. Furthermore, communication with parents regarding accidents has improved and written policies are being followed. On the whole, documentation was better organised and accessible.

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Summary of outcome

The report card and inspection outcome will be published in due course. Following the inspection, we served a further welfare requirements notice on 30 April 2026. This is a legal notice that requires the provider to take the actions below within the timescales set out. The provider will be able to give parents further information about this.

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that those who hold designated safeguarding lead roles understand and can follow the local safeguarding procedures to raise concerns about children effectively

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that all staff, leaders and Managers understand and follow the appropriate procedures to raise concerns about those working with children in line with local safeguarding procedures

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that leaders follow up on child absences in a timely manner and recognise that these absences may be related to child protection matters

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Summary of outcome

n deploy staff effectively to ensure children's individual and emotional needs are met, enabling them to form secure relationships with their key person n implement effective arrangements for staff supervision to provide all staff, including managers, with a purposeful programme of professional development and enable rich discussion about children's progress to best support their development

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Summary of outcome

n implement an effective induction process for new staff, and agency staff, to regularly review progress and provide appropriate support and mentoring for them to fully understand and fulfil their roles

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Summary of outcome

n provide appropriate support to the SENCO to enable them to fulfil their role effectively, ensuring that formal plans for children requiring additional support are reviewed regularly so they can make sustained progress

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that all staff manage children's behaviour appropriately, recognising and responding to their individual needs and cues to provide them with positive and engaging support and interactions throughout the day

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that ongoing risk assessments are completed to minimise risks to children outdoors and that staff are deployed appropriately to reduce the risk of accident or injury and provide meaningful interactions to build on children's learning

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Summary of outcome

n ensure that all parents know who their child's key person is and establish a successful two-way flow of communication to share vital information about children

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Summary of outcome

On 1 June 2026, we carried out a regulatory visit. The focus of the visit was to check whether the provider had met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised at their last inspection. We found that the provider had improved their knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, including being able to raise concerns about those working with children in line with local safeguarding procedures. Designated safeguarding leads understand procedures to raise concerns about children. Leaders now have clear processes to follow up with child absences. The key person system has been enhanced and a system to strengthen communication with parents is in place. Staff are deployed appropriately outdoors. Arrangements for staff induction and supervision have been enhanced, including for agency staff. Leaders have ensured that support for those who hold the SENCo role have been adjusted to enable them to fulfil their roles effectively. Work has been done to ensure

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Summary of outcome

that staff manage children's behaviour appropriately to provide them with positive support.

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Summary of outcome

We are satisfied the provider has met the safeguarding and welfare actions raised. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.

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Publication of complaints

We publish details of complaints made against childminders, home childcarers and childcare providers where we or the provider have taken action in order to meet legal requirements.

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Publication of complaints

We publish details of complaints on our website for a period of five years.

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Publication of complaints

For further information about the complaints process please view the Concerns and complaints about childminders and childcare providers leaflet .

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