Stepping Stones

Real china tea-sets, a community allotment and children helping to plan the garden give Stepping Stones a practical, hands-on character. In May 2024, these experiences connected everyday responsibility with learning to make choices and handle risk.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found that children progressed well and judged safeguarding effective. The Kirkham setting has 32 places in total and accepts children aged 0 to 96 months; those places are whole-setting capacity, not a group-size promise.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2024 examples show what that meant in practice: conversation through play, preparation for writing and opportunities to become more independent.

Reading had a practical purpose. In May 2024, text in the home corner and mud kitchen supported pretend play, including making up recipes. Threading tiny beads developed hand control for mark making. Staff followed children's changing interests, with an interest in trains prompting a visit to the local station.

Outdoor learning also involved responsibility. Children tended a community allotment, contributed ideas for the garden and practised climbing and swinging. Handling china tea-sets gave them another opportunity to learn care and judgement. These were concrete ways to practise making decisions, rather than simply being told what to do.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children formed secure relationships with staff and that support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities involved other professionals and thoughtful use of additional funding. Extra sessions helped families through difficult periods at home.

In May 2024, conversations with parents helped staff understand children's earlier experiences. Individual toilet-training plans supported independence, while helping to lay the lunch table gave children a useful role in the day. Staff training included managing risk during play, and colleagues shared what they learnt.

Assessment and hygiene needed greater consistency. In May 2024, the focus week assessment system sometimes produced learning targets that missed the areas needing extra help. Children also needed more consistent encouragement to manage personal hygiene, including wiping their noses. These were specific improvements, alongside the positive findings about relationships and learning.

The address is 76 Marsden Street, Kirkham, Preston, PR4 2TJ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with year-round opening except bank holidays.

In May 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise about a family's present entitlement.

• Learning targets. In May 2024, some next steps needed to match children's learning needs more closely. At a visit, ask how the focus week system now turns observations into individual targets.
• Everyday hygiene. The May 2024 improvement action concerned consistent self-care routines. Ask how staff help children practise these skills throughout the day.
• Age range and daily arrangements. The current accepted range is 0 to 96 months, while children at the May 2024 inspection were aged 0 to 4 years. For an older child, ask how attendance and activities fit their age.

Stepping Stones suits families who value practical independence, play with a purpose and learning connected to the local community. Its May 2024 examples give that judgement substance: tending an allotment, following an interest in trains and taking responsibility at lunchtime. The assessment and hygiene actions are useful points to explore alongside those strengths.