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Stepping Stones Day Nursery in Maryport

Ofsted: Good
(May 2022)
·Stepping Stones Day Nursery, 58-62 Wood Street, Maryport, CA15 6LD · Cumberland
Number of places
65 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2022
Local authority
Cumberland

About this day nursery

Stepping Stones Day Nursery, situated in Maryport, Cumbria, is a family-operated childcare establishment that has been serving the community since 1991. The nursery caters to babies, toddlers, and pre-school children, fostering their early development through age-appropriate play and exploration.

Their dedicated team of qualified and first-aid-certified staff strive to create a stimulating, secure, and joyful environment for all children. Emphasising strong relationships with both children and their families, Stepping Stones Day Nursery provides consistent communication and daily updates.

They also offer a "Jungle Club" holiday programme for school-aged children, providing a range of fun activities. The nursery is conveniently located on Wood Street in Maryport and is open throughout the year, with exceptions for the Christmas period and Bank Holidays, from 7:30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

What it's like

Leaders recognise the impact of the pandemic on children, particularly babies and younger children, and tailor settling-in procedures such as sharing photographs and using special family books to aid their emotional security. Relationships between staff and children are positive, fostering a calm and inclusive environment where children are happy and settled. Leaders and staff ensure children enjoy their learning, with activities tailored to age groups, from sensory exploration for babies to obstacle courses for younger children and musical instrument play for older children.

Family-run nurseryCaters to babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolersSchool holiday club availableExperienced and qualified staff

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

7:30am to 5pm - Monday to Friday, open all year round (except Christmas period & Bank Holidays)

Age range

Babies, toddlers and pre-school children

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Flexible hours available

Established

2013

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Stepping Stones Day Nursery

Last inspected 24 May 2022

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

Leaders recognise the impact of the pandemic on children, particularly babies and younger children, and tailor settling-in procedures such as sharing photographs and using special family books to aid their emotional security. Relationships between staff and children are positive, fostering a calm and inclusive environment where children are happy and settled. Leaders and staff ensure children enjoy their learning, with activities tailored to age groups, from sensory exploration for babies to obstacle courses for younger children and musical instrument play for older children.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders have significantly reduced staff paperwork, enabling them to spend more time with children and provide well-suited learning experiences.
  • Staff are placing a sharper emphasis on supporting children's communication and language development, introducing visual aids.
  • Proactive staff ensure children with SEND receive early help and support, threading advice from parents, carers, and health professionals into individual support plans.
  • Partnerships with parents are good, with staff keeping them informed and inviting them to specialist training events.
  • Additional funding is used well to encourage healthy lifestyles, with older children, including those with SEND, enjoying regular walks and using new exercise equipment during outdoor play.
  • Children demonstrate their understanding of behaviour rules, sharing toys and using resources like puppets to explore feelings and develop consideration for others.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to gain a greater understanding of the highly effective teaching strategies that they should consistently use to build on children's early language development further
  • 2form stronger connections with practitioners from other settings that children attend, and share in-depth information about children's learning and progress, to help children to make more rapid and substantial progress.
Inspection #10219687 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and staff aim to ensure that children 'enjoy their learning'. Babies, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), use their senses to explore materials, such as bubbles. The proactive staff ensure that children with SEND receive the early help and support that they need. They thread advice from parents, carers and health professionals into children's individual support plans, to help to close any gaps in their learning. Children with SEND enjoy the positive interactions from their key person. Older children, including those with SEND, enjoy regular walks to local areas, such as the harbour.

Outdoor space

Younger children use increasingly good physical skills when completing an obstacle course. They show resilience when learning to throw and catch balls outdoors. Older children, including those with SEND, enjoy regular walks to local areas, such as the harbour. They use new exercise equipment, including balls and hoops, during outdoor play. This supports children to participate in regular physical activity and contributes towards their ongoing good health.

Inspection history

Date: March 2013

  • May 2022Good
  • August 2016Good
  • March 2013Good

Frequently asked about Stepping Stones Day Nursery

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