First Steps Day Nursery

In December 2023, peeling fruit, pouring drinks and investigating melting ice gave First Steps Day Nursery a practical, hands-on character. At its December 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, with communication, independence and imaginative play prominent in its findings.

Based on Cliff Road in Hornsea, the nursery has capacity for 26 children aged from birth to five. Its inspection picture also includes two clear improvements: extending children's interests during routine activities and removing potential hazards more promptly after creative play.

In December 2023, learning followed children's interests, with communication and language given particular attention. The early years foundation stage is the required framework for children's learning, development and care; here, its everyday expression included conversation, play and practical exploration.

Children chose nursery rhymes at circle time, with props helping sustain their attention. Conversations revisited earlier activities, giving children opportunities to remember and explain. Melting ice prompted discussion about changes in materials, while pasta threading exercised small hand movements. These were concrete routes into language and physical skills.

The outdoor area supported painting and shared imaginative play. Regular park and community visits extended experiences beyond the premises. However, staff did not consistently give children enough scope to explore a subject further when their interest continued.

At the December 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and found that staff used speech and language strategies to support children awaiting professional intervention. Clear pronunciation, repetition and running commentary helped build vocabulary during that period.

In December 2023, staff encouraged children to discuss feelings and explained expectations for behaviour. Reassurance helped tired children, while adults acknowledged children's drawings and other creations. Parents received information through an online application, connecting home with nursery life.

Practical independence featured in snack routines: children laid the table, selected fruit, peeled it and poured drinks. The brush bus introduced dental care, and a time to try day brought unfamiliar foods into children's experience. Handwashing after nose-blowing connected hygiene with an everyday task. These observations belong to December 2023.

The address is 24 Cliff Road, Hornsea, HU18 1LN. Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with bank holiday closures.

In December 2023, the nursery's session times ran from 7am to 6pm, and it also closed for a week at Christmas. That inspection-time closure is relevant when planning care around the festive period.

• Following children's interests. In December 2023, staff did not consistently extend exploration in response to children's interests. Ask how routine activities now allow children's questions and ideas to develop.
• Creative-play safety. The December 2023 improvement action called for quicker responses to potential hazards after creative activities. Ask how staff organise checks and clear-up during these experiences.
• Attendance arrangements. The nursery opens across the year from 7am to 6pm on weekdays. At a visit, discuss which booking pattern would fit your family and how Christmas closures are handled.

First Steps suits families who value practical independence, conversation and learning through everyday experiences. Its December 2023 examples give that character substance: children handled their own snacks, explored changing materials and played together outdoors. The balance for parents is clear: these experiences sit alongside specific improvement actions on extending learning and responding promptly to creative-play hazards.