Derwent Stepping Stones

About this day nursery

YMCA Stepping Stones Nursery, originally established in 1988 as Derwent Stepping Stones, arose from a community need for accessible and affordable childcare in Derby. It was founded by a group of women who faced challenges returning to work due to the lack of suitable childcare options.

Operating as both a Limited Company and a voluntary organisation, the nursery provides flexible childcare and early learning for families in the local area. Located on St Marks Road in Derby, the nursery boasts light and spacious rooms designed to encourage exploration, learning, and development in a creative environment.

It has received an 'Ofsted rated 'Good' assessment, underscoring its commitment to quality. The nursery aims to deliver high-quality early years childcare that supports children in recognising and achieving their full potential.

They prioritise honesty, striving to build trusting relationships with children, families, and the wider community. A genuine passion for early years education drives their team to provide excellent support and learning experiences.

The curriculum is built around the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, preparing children for their future educational journey by focusing on seven key areas of learning, including communication, physical development, and literacy. The framework is a dynamic document, with input from practitioners, parents, and children continually enriching its development and ensuring a stimulating and relevant learning experience both indoors and outdoors.

Our ethos

To deliver high quality early years childcare, which helps all individuals recognise their full potential and enables them to be ambitious in achieving it. We are honest and transparent and strive to build lasting and trusting relationships with the children in our care, their families and our wider community. A genuine love for what we do drives us to perform at our best to deliver excellent early years education and support.

What it's like

Leaders and staff learn about children's interests and needs to prepare them for nursery, creating a supportive and secure environment. Staff use children's interests to comfort them and continuously assess risks to keep children safe. The environment sparks curiosity, with children exploring new and familiar resources and engaging in creative activities.

Pricing & funding