Early STEPS Nursery and Children's Centre opened in 2000 and is owned by the Stocksbridge
Training and Enterprise Partnership (STEP), which is a charitable trust.

The nursery and children's centre is based on the lower ground floor of the STEP Centre and
is self-contained. Children are cared for in two rooms and are grouped according to age. Children
have access to a fully enclosed area for outdoor play. The nursery is open each weekday
throughout the year from 8.00 to 18.00. The centre has a separately registered out of school
club at another premises, but the pre-school room is, very occasionally, used to provide holiday
play care for one or two children aged under eight years during the school holidays.

• The provision is good.

• The provision is satisfactory.

• The provision is satisfactory.

• The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory.

• The provision is satisfactory.

• The organisation is satisfactory.

• The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.
• The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

Quote from outside play:

“Outdoor playtime is planned several times each day, so that all children enjoy plenty of fresh air and exercise. They use the small outdoor space well as they run around, enjoying the freedom of movement. They help get out and put together the balancing beam, to practise their balancing skills. They pedal the bikes back and forth and happily share the cars. They make obstacle courses with hoops and tyres, balance on the stilts and rock to and fro on the see-saw. They climb confidently on the climbing frame and wriggle energetically through the tunnel. They laugh with delight as they 'whiz' fast down the slide. Toddlers love clambering on the little climbing frame in their playroom and scrambling into the ball pool. They have sturdy toys to push along to support their developing mobility. A good variety of outdoor play experiences is planned to develop children's physical skills.”

Quotes about the Nursery:

“The nursery environment is cheerful and welcoming.”

“Parents are fully consulted about their child's health and dietary needs.”

“Meal times are relaxed and sociable as staff and children sit together, sharing conversation. Children become independent in feeding themselves. Older children pour drinks independently from the water jug.”

“ Staff provide opportunity for children to develop appropriate levels of independence within a safe environment. Children begin to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe, as staff discuss limits and boundaries with them within everyday activities.”

If you prefer you can download a full/complete copy of the OFSTED Report from the OFSTED website at
www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports

If you have any questions regarding this Report, please e-mail the nursery staff on
nursery@step-online.org.uk