Stepping Stones Day Nursery Durham Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are confident, happy and secure at this small and very friendly nursery. They form close bonds with staff who are supportive, warm and kind. New children settle quickly. Staff gather information from parents on children's interests, preferences and routines at home. They use this information to plan individual support that helps children settle and feel welcome and included.

Staff plan strong support for children's personal, social and emotional development. They support children to share as they dig for shells buried in the sand pit. Children learn to take turns as they build with blocks and play games with dominoes and cards. Children learn about nature through a wide range of exciting experiences. They visit allotments where they learn about composting and growing fruits. Children use magnifying glasses to observe cocoons as they turn into butterflies.

Children are focused and engaged. They show persistence and are willing to have a try. Staff praise and encourage children. This helps boost their confidence and self-esteem. Staff support children's growing independence well. Children put on their shoes and coats, ready to go out to the park to play. They butter their toast at snack time and learn to pour their own drinks. Staff help children to make simple choices and decisions. For example, which piece of fruit to eat and what to play with next.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• The very experienced staff team plan a wide range of exciting experiences that stimulate and challenge children. For example, children blow bubbles and enjoy picnics and parachute games. They take part in listening walks and gather sticks at the nearby park.
• Staff provide good support for children's developing physical skills. Children learn to use their hands in different ways as they make marks in shaving foam and take part in threading games. They learn to use tools, such as tweezers, gardening trowels and forks.
• Children develop their core strength as they take part in yoga and music and movement sessions. They squeal with delight as they stretch and wave material during group games. Children climb and run during daily visits to a local park. They balance on beams and stepping stones.
• Staff plan activities that match children's interests and stages of development. They model new skills and skilfully support children's learning. However, staff do not always encourage children to solve problems for themselves. For example, by supporting children to think of ways to use available space fairly as they play.
• Children enjoy lovely conversations with staff who chat with them about their play. Staff share stories with children and encourage them to take part in singing and rhymes. Staff introduce descriptive words, such as 'bumpy' and 'smooth', to help extend children's vocabularies.
• Overall, staff provide strong support for children to help them manage their behaviour. However, they do not always explore with children the impact of their behaviour on others.
• Children learn about life outside the nursery through trips, such as to a cathedral and a local cafe. They learn how to stay safe and healthy through a road safety day and visits to a local dentist surgery.
• There is strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff are skilled at identifying early any areas where children might need additional help. They understand the importance of working together with other professionals in education and health, to provide a consistent approach to support for children.
• Parents speak very highly of the nursery. They praise the supportive, warm and friendly staff team and the range of activities and experiences they provide. Parents say staff know their children really well and treat them with individual attention and care.
• The staff team are dedicated and hard working. They work very well together. Children know all staff well. This helps to reassure them when they move up from one playroom to the next. There is a strong focus on preparing children well for school or the next stage in their learning.
• Staff are motivated and keep their skills up to date. The manager and staff reflect well on activities and experiences for children. They are passionate about their work and have a positive attitude towards the continuous improvement of the nursery.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• encourage children to think of more ways to solve problems themselves
• support children to understand better the impact of their behaviour on others.