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First Steps Nursery in St. Leonards-on-Sea

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2022)
·The Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St. Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7RD · East Sussex
Number of places
92 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2022
Local authority
East Sussex

About this day nursery

First Steps Nursery, located in St. Leonards-on-Sea, provides childcare for children aged 1 to 4 years old. 45am to 6pm, all year round, closing only on bank holidays.

Since its previous inspection, First Steps Nursery has moved to new, purpose-built premises within the hospital grounds, where children are reported to enjoy their time. Upon arrival, children receive a warm welcome, helping them to feel safe and secure in their environment.

The staff at First Steps Nursery are committed to supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, working closely with parents and professionals like speech and language therapists to ensure individual needs are met, including the use of sign language and visual prompts. The nursery prioritises healthy lifestyles, ensuring children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise, and is actively working on improving its outdoor area.

Parents consistently praise the nurturing approach of the staff and managers, highlighting the positive difference they make to their children. The nursery excels in helping children understand the diverse society they live in through various activities and discussions, and overall teaching is strong, with staff planning engaging activities based on children's interests.

What it's like

Since the last inspection, the nursery has relocated to new, purpose-built premises in the hospital grounds. Children enjoy their time in the new building. They receive a warm welcome at the door and on entering their classroom. Children feel safe and secure.

Caring and nurturing approachStrong parental partnershipsFocus on healthy lifestylesEffective SEND provisionGood overall effectiveness

Key facts

Opening hours

6.45am to 6pm, all year round, closing on bank holidays

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for First Steps Nursery

Last inspected 25 February 2022 · Jo Gunne

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Since the last inspection, the nursery has relocated to new, purpose-built premises in the hospital grounds. Children enjoy their time in the new building. They receive a warm welcome at the door and on entering their classroom. Children feel safe and secure.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager works closely with staff to ensure that well-being is high and staff feel supported.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong.
  • Staff very successfully help children to understand about leading a healthy lifestyle. Staff recognise the importance of ensuring that children have opportunities to get fresh air and exercise daily as part of developing healthy lifestyles. They are currently working to improve the outdoor area.
  • Children are well supported to understand the diverse society they live in.
  • Overall, teaching is strong.

Areas to develop

  • 1monitor and take action to minimise the distractions, primarily caused by high noise levels, in the group rooms of the youngest children to support their language development more effectively
  • 2provide support for individual staff to improve their skills in planning so that activities are targeted more effectively and have a clearer intent for children's learning.
Inspection #10226595 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents report positively about the caring and nurturing approach of all managers and staff.

Parents and carers are keen to feedback on the positive difference the staff make for their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Arrangements for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are effective. Staff liaise well with parents and relevant professionals, such as speech and language therapists, to make sure that children's needs are met. Staff use sign language and visual prompts to support individual children.

Outdoor space

Staff recognise the importance of ensuring that children have opportunities to get fresh air and exercise daily as part of developing healthy lifestyles. They are currently working to improve the outdoor area.

Inspection history

Date: June 2009

  • February 2022Good
  • May 2017Good
  • June 2016Good
  • May 2013Requires improvement
  • June 2009Good

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more