Stepping Stones, Lewes Community Nursery Ltd

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are safe and happy in this friendly and welcoming nursery. They settle very well and transitions between each room are very well managed. For instance, children's key persons move with the children. As a result, children develop a deep sense of security and staff know them very well. Children know what is expected of them. They are polite to visitors and behave extremely well.

Leaders and staff implement an exciting curriculum for all children. They effectively use children's interests to provide stimulating learning experiences. For instance, an interest from older children in den building results in a purposeful outing to the woods. Attentive staff encourage children to talk about their ideas and help them to problem-solve, such as how to tie ropes to tree trunks.

Babies and toddlers are well cared for. Staff are very focused on their needs and help them to understand how to behave towards each other. Children's independence is encouraged from an early age. For example, toddlers use cutlery with confidence. They clear their plates away after meals and snacks. Older children use real porcelain crockery and glasses. This helps them to understand how to look after items and provides them with a sense of responsibility.

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

• The manager is passionate and committed to the nursery's continuous development. She shares her enthusiasm with the staff and is well supported by the experienced provider. Leaders prioritise staff's well-being and they have regular supervision meetings to discuss training needs and children's welfare. Staff speak highly about the manager and value the support that they receive.
• Staff make good use of the local environment to help children to learn about the world around them and how to keep safe outdoors. They take children on outings every day and wear appropriate clothes for the weather. On the way to the woods, children have great fun splashing in puddles. Other outings include trips to nearby parks and visits to the market, where children buy fruit for their snack.
• Staff caring for younger children help them to build on their skills. For example, they sing songs and nursery rhymes to help support children's emerging language. Babies enjoy discovering the sounds that musical instruments make and learn how to balance when using the physical play equipment. Staff help toddlers to find hidden items in the sand. They provide a running commentary during their play and children attempt to copy the words that they hear. This helps to support their emerging language.
• Children's interests and ideas are highly valued. They are inquisitive and eager to learn. For example, older children work together to mix chalk, stones, sand and water to make 'cement'. Staff ask probing questions to help support their ideas and to problem-solve. As a result, enthusiastic children discover how they can use a ramp to transfer their mixture from one container to another.
• On the whole, staff plan activities very well and funding for children is effectively used. However, at times, staff do not always notice when quieter children need more support to join in with activities. As a result, learning opportunities for them to share their thoughts are sometimes lost.
• Staff encourage children to learn about what food keeps them healthy. For example, older children help to cut up vegetables that are used by staff to make soup. During mealtimes, children enjoy serving themselves.
• Staff successfully help children to develop good independence skills. For instance, children take off their raincoats and wellingtons with ease. This supports their readiness for school. Children know to wash their hands and they talk about the reasons why they do this.
• Parents speak highly about the staff at the nursery. They say that the staff are like family and that they receive good communications about their children. New parents say that their children have settled very well.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• support staff to develop a more consistent approach to helping children join in with activities, particularly those who are quieter, so that their voices are heard.