Newtown Community Learning Center t/a First Steps Day Nursery

About this day nursery

First Steps Day Nursery, operating independently on the site of Newtown Community School in Carlisle, Cumbria, has been fostering a positive learning environment since its registration in 2004. With a capacity for 68 children and 55 currently on roll, the nursery provides full day care from 8am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year.

The dedicated team of nine staff, including a manager with a level 5 qualification and seven staff holding appropriate qualifications at levels 2 and 3, ensures a high quality of education. The nursery places a strong emphasis on children's language development, encouraging parents to read with their children and supporting babies' early communication skills through back-and-forth interactions.

Children are taught social skills, self-care, and risk management, fostering their independence and personal development. The setting continues to make good progress in all areas of learning, supported by effective safeguarding arrangements and a drive to raise standards.

What it's like

Staff know children well and create a friendly and inviting environment where children happily learn and play. Children play independently and with their friends, choosing from the wide range of enticing resources and activities. Staff join children's play and embed their learning well. They ask thoughtful questions to extend children's thinking skills and refer to prior learning. Staff promote interesting discussions offering children a wide vocabulary to hear and practise. Staff understand what children need to learn next and plan effectively to build on what they know and can do.