Step by Step Day Nursery

Step by Step Day Nursery combines a long-established Lewisham setting with unusually concrete evidence about how its youngest children build confidence. It moved from an Inadequate judgement in February 2023 to a Good Ofsted rating that June, after leaders addressed the earlier weaknesses. The regulatory history also lists a concern document dated October 2024, making the current Ofsted record essential reading.

The nursery has capacity for 54 children at Benden House, Monument Gardens, and accepts children from three months to five years. Its own site advertises full-time and part-time places. The clearest strength in the latest inspection is personal care: children settled readily, sought adults for comfort and formed secure relationships with their key person.

Rooms and Ages

Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are all named in the nursery’s material, although room-by-room age bands are not given. In June 2023, a baby room was in use. There, furniture had been arranged to give babies useful physical challenges: they could pull themselves upright, strengthen their legs, and practise climbing and sliding. That makes movement part of the room itself rather than a single adult-led activity.

Learning and Named Experiences

The Early Years Foundation Stage is the curriculum framework here. In practical terms, staff connect play with the next steps in children's communication, physical development, independence and social confidence. In June 2023, art had a second purpose beyond making: adults encouraged children to explain what they were creating, turning their ideas into early speaking and storytelling practice.

Familiar stories and songs brought children and adults together. Staff also modelled sharing, turn-taking and respectful language, while older children discussed the move to Reception. One limitation matters. The indoor offer was stronger than the outdoor one, and the nursery was asked to make learning across all areas equally accessible wherever children chose to play.

Key-person relationships were central to the care observed in June 2023. In June 2023, children went to familiar adults when upset, and patient responses helped them return to play. Staff encouraged handwashing and supported older children to manage toileting more independently. The nursery was nevertheless asked to give more everyday responsibility for children, such as helping at mealtimes or putting toys away.

Support for children with SEND was purposeful. When staff identified a delay, they made a support plan, agreed learning targets with parents and used external referrals where needed. This joins home and nursery around a shared next step rather than leaving families outside the process. Parents also reported receiving regular information about daily experiences.

Safeguarding was judged effective in June 2023. Staff understood how to recognise, record and report concerns, and leaders had strengthened risk assessment after the earlier judgement. The later concern entry makes the current regulatory history an important part of a family’s decision.

Sessions and Attendance

Step by Step is at Benden House, Monument Gardens, Hither Green, Lewisham SE13 6PY. The provider advertises full-time and part-time places for children aged three months to five years. The detail supplied does not set out named session products or clock times for part-time care.

Funding and Paid Extras

The June 2023 inspection recorded funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Free-entitlement information for two-year-olds is signposted. Current delivery patterns and the treatment of meals, consumables and additional charges need to be set out in a provider-specific quotation.

• Later regulatory record. The Ofsted history lists a concern document dated 30 October 2024 but supplies no findings or outcome. The current regulatory history and any resulting changes are decisive points for families.
• Outdoor learning. In June 2023, inspectors found that outdoor provision did not give children the same breadth of learning as indoor play. The current breadth of garden learning deserves close attention alongside its physical play.
• Part-time pattern. Part-time places are advertised, but session names and times are not set out. The current options need matching carefully to the family’s working week.
• Included items. Meals and non-food consumables need clarifying for both funded and private hours.

Step by Step's strongest evidence is about relationships and practical learning. Babies had a room designed around movement, older children built independence, and children needing extra help had plans shaped with parents. The rapid move from Inadequate to Good in 2023 is significant, although the later concern entry means the current regulatory record deserves attention.

This setting could suit families seeking either full-time care or a part-time arrangement, especially those who value a close key-person bond and explicit SEND planning. Its less complete practical information means the details of sessions, charges and the current outdoor offer should be settled before joining.