Stepping Stones Nursery

Translation pens, storytelling and balancing on planks give Stepping Stones Nursery a recognisable character: communication and growing independence run through its inspection-era account. At its March 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall, with Outstanding judgements for behaviour and attitudes and personal development, and found safeguarding effective.

Based at Lansdowne Cp School in Sittingbourne, the nursery has 28 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months. Its opening hours follow a term-time pattern.

In March 2022, children shared books, invented stories and performed for one another. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the inspection-era examples show learning through conversation, imaginative play and practical exploration.

Signing, translation pens and picture cards helped children communicate, including those learning English alongside another language. Learning also included other cultures. These were concrete ways to make conversation accessible rather than relying solely on spoken instructions.

Outdoor play in March 2022 included bikes and balancing activities using planks and crates. Nearby construction machinery prompted questions about what different machines did, turning children's curiosity into opportunities to develop vocabulary. Experiments explored melting ice and objects that dissolve. However, staff sometimes missed chances to extend children's thinking with further questions.

In March 2022, settling arrangements were tailored to individual children, using information from parents about their development before they started. Children developed close relationships with their key person. Staff also worked with families and other professionals on individual targets, connecting care with each child's needs.

Independence had practical expression: children managed coats, handwashing and toileting, and opened food wrappers themselves. Yoga sessions were used to support emotional wellbeing. Safety routines included understanding the boundary marked by a yellow line near the gate, while staff assessed risks indoors and outside and knew how to raise welfare concerns.

Regular staff supervision in March 2022 provided time to discuss practice and identify training needs. The account links support for practitioners with attention to children's everyday care.

The address is Lansdowne Cp School, Gladstone Drive, Sittingbourne, ME10 3BH. Opening hours are 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays. That calendar matters for families needing care throughout the year.

In March 2022, funded early education was offered for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Extending learning. In March 2022, questioning did not consistently stretch children's thinking. This is the main educational reservation alongside the positive examples of exploration.
• Term-time calendar. School-holiday closures make this a fit for families whose childcare needs follow term dates.
• Settling today. The March 2022 arrangements used detailed information from parents. On a visit, how is that information now used to shape settling and communication with families?

Stepping Stones suits families seeking term-time daytime care for children aged 24 to 60 months. Its March 2022 account gives particular weight to communication, practical independence and outdoor exploration. The qualification is educational: interesting activities needed more consistent follow-up questions to take learning further.