First Steps, Chichester

Heavy tyres moved together and animated conversations about stories give First Steps, Chichester's August 2023 nursery day its clearest character. Children had opportunities to solve practical problems together, while staff connected books with their experiences. Learning involved both movement and conversation.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 2 August 2023. It caters for babies, toddlers and preschool children at Chichester College, Westgate Fields, Chichester, PO19 1SB.

In August 2023, the nursery occupied purpose-built accommodation on the Chichester College campus. Its outdoor play area supported physical challenges: children worked in pairs to shift heavy tyres, discussing how to move them and persisting together. The task gave cooperation a practical purpose.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the August 2023 day included shared stories, conversation, physical activity and learning everyday routines. Staff planned activities using children's interests and experiences, with learning organised in a sequence as children developed.

During story time that August, children related the story to foods they liked and contributed their ideas to the discussion. Books became a starting point for children to talk about familiar experiences, rather than simply listen.

At the August 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described early identification of special educational needs and/or disabilities, individual learning plans, and collaboration with parents and other professionals that supported children's progress. Managers had also failed to report a significant incident to Ofsted. They acted promptly to improve practice, including introducing procedures to meet each child's dietary needs, and understood their responsibility to report future incidents.

In August 2023, staff comforted the youngest children and used gentle interactions. Adults also explained expectations and helped children manage emotions; children helped one another and showed consideration for their peers.

Personal care needed more consistent teaching that August. Handwashing featured in toilet and mealtime routines, but reminders about covering coughs and cleaning noses were less dependable. Transitions also needed attention: children sometimes waited while staff prepared the next activity. These were practical weaknesses in the daily routine, with implications for independence and time spent learning.

The address is Chichester College, Westgate Fields, Chichester, PO19 1SB. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. Families needing care through college holidays should distinguish this year-round opening calendar from college teaching terms.

In August 2023, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, rather than a promise about a particular child's entitlement.

• Activity changes. In August 2023, children sometimes waited between activities because preparation was incomplete. During a visit, ask how staff now manage these changes and explain what comes next.
• Everyday independence. August 2023 practice included handwashing but inconsistent teaching about coughs and nose wiping. Ask how these habits are reinforced throughout the day.
• Your attendance plan. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm, with bank-holiday and Christmas closures. What booking pattern and written quotation would fit your family's schedule, including meals and consumables?

First Steps suits families seeking weekday, year-round childcare on the Chichester College campus. Its August 2023 practice gives concrete reasons to consider it: collaborative outdoor tasks, conversation around stories and individual support plans. The weaknesses in transitions and personal-care teaching deserve equal weight when assessing the nursery's present daily routine.