OFSTED OUTCOME SEPT 2011
'OUTSTANDING'
A Step Ahead Children's Nursery is situated just off the A281 in Lower Beeding (about 8 minutes drive from Horsham and the A24). There has been a nursery on the village hall site for over 20 years, but in 2000 A Step Ahead opened and has continued to develop ever since responding to the needs of the surrounding villages and commuters from further afield.The Nursery has grown from a 28 place pre-school which opened in November 2000 to a 50 place nursery with a baby unit having been completely refurbished in August 2007. The children now enjoy a modern vibrant nursery building in a beautiful country location which makes learning inside and out huge fun. There are no problems with access or parking as the nursery is located by the village hall and sports fields - which also means there is plenty of fresh air and a much loved newly landscaped garden for the children to have fun in every day.
We have 3 main rooms which were named by the children themselves. 'Monkeys' are the older group aged 3 and 4 years, 'Koalas' are our 2 to 3 year olds and 'Ladybird Room' is home to our baby unit where we look after babies from 3 months to 2 years of age (with a separate sleeping room and zoned play areas). Outside all the children enjoy playing in the castle, climbing and sliding on the Buzz Tower, riding around on trikes and bikes, hoola-hooping, gardening, digging and many other activities!
The nursery received an Outstanding Ofsted report in September 2011 and is very proud of this achievement. We are hugely proud of the care and environment we provide for the children - please come and visit us and see for yourself
Parents Guide
View our Ofsted report
Newsletter
Aims and Objectives
- To provide a safe, happy environment with the appropriate adult to child ratio in accordance to OFSTED Welfare Requirements and EYFS for under 8's.
- For Children to reach their full potential through activities with meaning and purpose encouraging individuality.
- To encourage parental/carer involvement by keeping them informed in their child's progress, group plan and activities.
- To enhance the children’s confidence and self-esteem by praise and encouragement.
- To plan and provide a wide range of equipment and activities with appropriate adult interaction where the children can succeed.
- To follow child led play but to link this with a semi-structured term plan creating progression in the children’s learning abilities, linking their skills and understanding.
- To provide a well balanced curriculum, which will encourage the children to use their ideas and imagination to further their understanding of the world.
- To encourage the staff to update and further their training to ensure quality care for the children.
- To provide a Childcare Centre in which children are treated and respected equally regardless of gender, race, disability or religion.