Opening hours
Monday to Friday 8am till 6pm
East the Water Stepping Stones Pre School
Ofsted: Good
(May 2023)
Number of places
44 places
Age range
1–5 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Devon
About this early years setting
East the Water Stepping Stones Pre School is a term-time nursery in Bideford for children aged from one to five years. It operates from 8am until 4pm, Monday to Friday. The organisation received an Ofsted rating of Good in May 2023. The inspector reported that children settle quickly and feel secure, with parents commenting on how welcoming the staff are and how they value the communication about their child's learning.
Children can choose to play freely inside and outside. The outdoor provision includes a separate space for younger children to practise their balance with spinning toys. Older children can use a large pirate ship for climbing, sliding, and imaginative games, and use magnifying glasses to search for insects. Staff work with parents and other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, using strategies such as providing 'fidget toys' to aid concentration. The inspector suggested the pre-school could provide more opportunities for children to develop their independence.
What it's like
Children settle quickly into the pre-school and enjoy choosing from a wide range of resources. The warm relationships between staff and children help children feel secure, and parents value the communication about their children's learning.
Nurturing environmentAge-appropriate learningFlexible hoursSupports early development
Pricing & funding
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Age range
3 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for East the Water Stepping Stones Pre School
Last inspected 25 May 2023
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children settle quickly into the pre-school and enjoy choosing from a wide range of resources. The warm relationships between staff and children help children feel secure, and parents value the communication about their children's learning.
Inspector highlights
- Staff work very well together as a team and effectively discuss children's progress to plan effectively.
- The manager provides professional development training for staff to keep their knowledge updated.
- Staff work with parents and other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Children understand routines, including tidying up and sun safety, and enjoy healthy fruit snacks.
- Staff praise children for persevering in mathematical activities and encourage their understanding of plant growth.
Areas to develop
- 1use effective strategies consistently to support all children's communication skills even further
- 2provide more opportunities for children to develop their independence.
Inspection #10280241 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents comment on how welcoming the staff are.
Parents value the way that staff communicate with them about their children's learning.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff work together with parents and other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They assess children's learning and have a clear understanding of what children need to learn next. They support parents with children's learning at home, for example using strategies to help children begin to use a potty. Staff ensure all children can learn in a group by providing some children with a 'fidget toy' to support their concentration.
Outdoor space
Children are able to choose to play freely inside and outside. Younger children play in their own outdoor space, learning to balance as they explore spinning toys. Older children are curious about using magnifying glasses outside to search for insects and play games on a large pirate ship in the garden, practising climbing, sliding, and imaginative games.
Inspection history
Date: October 2012
- May 2023Good
- September 2017Good
- September 2013Good
- October 2012Inadequate
Frequently asked about East the Water Stepping Stones Pre School
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