Stepping Stones Day Nursery, Dogsthorpe

Real tools, tree stumps and knot-making gave learning a practical character at this Dogsthorpe nursery in February 2022. At its February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated Stepping Stones Outstanding overall and for education, behaviour, personal development and leadership.

Stepping Stones Day Nursery, Dogsthorpe accepts children aged 3 to 60 months. Its inspection-era home was a converted Victorian manor house, an individual setting for the hands-on activities described below.

In February 2022, older children took part in tool school, using actual tools and learning safety rules, and forest school sessions involving outdoor exploration. Hammering nails into stumps, winding materials around them and tying knots gave children concrete tasks requiring patience and coordination. These were activities with something to work out, rather than simply something to finish.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In February 2022, this meant experiences spanning language, movement and exploration: babies enjoyed music and sensory activities, while younger children practised carrying watering cans and pouring water.

Staff used questions that invited children to think, then allowed time for them to solve problems together, including working out how to connect cogs. Home-language words were used too, with attention to pronunciation. That made communication part of everyday interaction, rather than a separate activity.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding, strong emotional support and a carefully sequenced curriculum supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those receiving early years pupil premium funding.

In February 2022, babies' routines from home shaped their care as they settled, and key persons paid close attention to individual interests and needs. Parents had opportunities to participate in learning and understand what their children were doing. For families, the useful combination was continuity of routine and a relationship with staff who knew the child.

Staff wellbeing was also a leadership priority at that time, alongside support for families facing local difficulties. Staff turnover was low, and children participated in charitable and fundraising activities. Everyday interactions encouraged consideration for others, including offering another child a turn.

The address is 10 Welland Road, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, PE1 3SF. Opening hours are 8am to 5.45pm, Monday to Friday, with an all-year opening schedule.

In February 2022, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four, and closed on bank holidays. Those arrangements belong to that inspection period.

• The working-day finish. Closing time is 5.45pm. Families whose working day ends late will need to fit collection around that deadline.
• Settling today. Following babies' home routines was a strength of the February 2022 account. During a visit, how would staff accommodate your child's current feeding and sleep routine?

This is a nursery worth considering for families drawn to practical exploration and individual attention. The February 2022 account gives substance to that appeal: tools, water, problem-solving and continuity with babies' home routines. Its all-year opening schedule also suits families seeking care beyond school terms, provided the 5.45pm finish fits their day.