Stepping Stones Day Nursery, Clay Cross

Play dough scented with herbs and spices, birdwatching conversations and children helping serve lunch give the August 2022 picture of this Clay Cross nursery its character. Everyday experiences supplied opportunities to talk, practise practical skills and take responsibility.

At its August 2022 inspection, Ofsted graded the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good learning progress, with prompt support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The setting has 48 places in total.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the August 2022 examples included conversation, sensory play and practising movement.

In August 2022, children compared the smells of ingredients added to play dough, chopped herbs and squeezed fruit. These activities connected language with practical hand movements. Birdwatching also gave children something specific to discuss, including the difference between birds seen during the day and those active at night.

Older children used a large outdoor space for bicycles, climbing and ball games. However, in August 2022, babies needed better support indoors to develop standing and walking; adult-led activities also needed more challenge to extend children's existing knowledge. Those are useful distinctions between an enjoyable activity and one that moves learning forward.

In August 2022, stories and colours helped children express feelings, while picture cards made routines easier to follow. Staff listened to children's ideas and conversations. Familiar routines gave children practical ways to participate, from putting belongings away to helping tidy resources.

Daily feedback to parents in August 2022 supported learning at home. Work with local schools had also informed activities developing the hand skills needed for early writing. These were preparation activities, rather than an admissions advantage.

Ash House, Tower Business Park, High Street, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, S45 9DX is the nursery's address. It opens Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, throughout the year except bank holidays, and accepts ages 0 to 96 months.

In August 2022, the nursery received funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated funding position, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Babies' movement. In August 2022, improving the indoor environment and support for early standing and walking was an improvement priority. On a visit, ask how babies now practise those movements.
• Challenge during play. Adult-led learning needed greater stretch in August 2022. Look for how practitioners adapt an activity once a child has mastered it.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window is 8am to 6pm. Before choosing an attendance pattern, request a written quotation covering booked hours, funded entitlement, food and consumables.

Families seeking weekday childcare in Clay Cross have a nursery with practical, conversational learning in its August 2022 account and a Good judgement from that visit. The strongest decision points are how today's baby provision supports movement and how activities extend learning. The opening window also gives families a concrete starting point for planning their working week.