About Us
Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool is the culmination of more than thirty years of experience in childcare and education. As the owner and Manager, and as a mother of four grown up children and four grandchildren, I understand that starting nursery is a huge milestone for both you and your child and we at Stepping Stones strive to make this time as enjoyable as possible.
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Our Reggio Emelia Inspired approach follows an educational philosophy based on child-centred, experience-led learning. The principles of personal responsibility, respect for others and the environment and a strong sense of community are the foundation by which the children explore and discover through an individualised curriculum.
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Alongside this, the ‘Planning In The Moment’ method is used by our skilled practitioners to scaffold the children’s learning and ensures that the majority of time is spent engaging with the children rather than with paperwork!
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Within our nursery we provide healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day. We also provide equally nutritious vegetarian options and cater for special dietary requirements, religious/cultural preferences and food allergies.
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At Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool, we care greatly about the future for our children and our planet and therefore try to be as environmentally friendly as possible across the whole nursery. Therefore, we make purchases mindfully and reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible to avoid waste going to landfill. For example:
Fresh, whole milk is delivered in glass bottles (tastes so much better than in plastic too!).
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Our cleaning products are safe and bio-degradable.
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We recycle our paper/cardboard, plastic, glass and metal, as well as compost our food waste.
We provide clean, reusable cloth nappies and wipes which are free from chemicals, safe and highly sanitised between uses.
We reuse materials such as bottle tops, buttons and fabric for art work.
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Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 7.30am - 6pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool Team
Meet the team
Our team, led by Owner and Nursery Manager, Catherine, is highly qualified and experienced in childcare and education. All our Early Years Educators are qualified to at least a Level 3 in Childcare and all hold a Paediatric First Aid Certificate, Food Hygiene Certificate and Safeguarding Children training.Â
Only the most caring, experienced and qualified staff, who fully support our mission to provide the best possible care and education for our children, are employed at Stepping Stones Day Nursery and Preschool...
Catherine Balogun
Nursery Manager & Owner
BA Early Childhood Studies (First Class Honours)
My interest in children’s development began more than thirty years ago, and whilst raising four children of my own, I began my career in early years education as a childminder. Over the following years, I have taught in, managed and owned Day Nurseries and Pre-schools, both in England and abroad. I have also been instrumental in setting up several nurseries for their Ofsted inspections and led nurseries and pre-schools through their inspections. All this experience has led to the establishment of Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool.
Our Testimonials
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