Stepping Stones Nursery School

Worms, rulers and puppet stories give Stepping Stones Nursery School a recognisable character: practical exploration becomes a route into language, numbers and imaginative play. At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding and found that children made rapid progress, including those learning English as an additional language.

The nursery has capacity for 65 children aged 24 to 60 months. Its address is Granchester House, 5 Hinchley Way, Esher KT10 0BD. The detailed account below describes nursery life in April 2022.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, its inspection-era examples included learning through stories, exploration and practical play. In April 2022, staff extended vocabulary while children investigated worms, introducing words for their anatomy and the soil around them. Pretend spaghetti worms became measuring materials: children used rulers, arranged lengths and practised writing numbers. These were concrete ways to connect conversation with mathematics.

Storytelling used props, while older children invented and narrated puppet performances. Outdoors, trikes and obstacle courses gave children opportunities to practise movement; dance and action activities added another way to develop coordination.

Learning also drew on families' experiences. In April 2022, parents discussed cultures and celebrations, including Eid, and staff used words from children's home languages in songs and games. Children could connect nursery activities with life at home.

At the April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and an effective key-person arrangement that helped staff recognise children's starting points and respond to learning gaps.

In April 2022, the special educational needs coordinator worked with families, colleagues and outside agencies. Staff also helped children identify feelings and practise sharing and kindness, giving everyday disagreements a language children could use.

Communication included video calls, written reports, newsletters and parents' evenings, alongside ideas for continuing learning at home. Children grew vegetables and helped prepare them for snacks, making food preparation part of their learning. Staff training was tailored to children's needs, connecting professional development with the children attending at that time.

In April 2022, opening hours were 7.45am to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. That calendar matters for families whose work continues through school holidays.

At that time, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. This is an inspection-era account of participation, rather than a promise about an individual child's entitlement.

• Planning attendance. The April 2022 timetable operated during term time. At a visit, what attendance pattern and funded-hours arrangements would fit your week, including the treatment of meals and consumables?
• Age of the quality judgement. The Outstanding judgement dates from April 2022. It provides a detailed account of teaching and care at that point; weigh its age when deciding how much it tells you about your child's future experience.

Stepping Stones suits families seeking provision for children aged 24 to 60 months who value practical language and number activities. Its April 2022 account gives substance to that preference: measuring, puppet storytelling and conversations about living things were woven into play. The term-time timetable described then is also a significant consideration for families planning childcare around school holidays.