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First Steps Barley Croft

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2025)
·
3.7(3 parent reviews)
·Linney Road, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, LE4 0UU · Leicester
Number of places
40 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2025
Local authority
Leicester

About this day nursery

First Steps is a Leicester-based childcare provider that offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 2 to 5 years. Operating term-time from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, the nursery provides a variety of sessions focused on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.

This includes a balanced approach to learning across Prime Areas such as Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, and Physical Development, as well as Specific Areas like Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design. The nursery emphasises learning through play and practical experiences within a free-flow curriculum, encouraging children to develop confidence and make their own choices.

Both indoor and secure outdoor spaces are well-equipped to support a wide range of activities. First Steps also highly values parental involvement, believing it is crucial for a child's development, and aims to maintain strong partnerships with families.

Our ethos

First Steps follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, emphasising learning through play and practical experiences within a free-flow curriculum. They encourage children to develop confidence and make their own choices, valuing parental involvement as crucial for a child's development.

What it's like

Children are happy and settle quickly at this inclusive and welcoming setting. Staff form strong bonds with children in their care. Children develop positive attitudes to their learning and confidently make choices in their play. All children make good progress in their learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

EYFS-based CurriculumPlay-based LearningSecure Outdoor Play AreaParental PartnershipTerm-time Only

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 9:00am until 3:00pm, term-time

Age range

2 to 5 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Session types

variety of sessions

Established

2016

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for First Steps Barley Croft

Last inspected 19 June 2025 · Cathryn Clarricoates

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and settle quickly at this inclusive and welcoming setting. Staff form strong bonds with children in their care. Children develop positive attitudes to their learning and confidently make choices in their play. All children make good progress in their learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders and managers provide extensive support for staff development and well-being, leading to consistently high-quality teaching.
  • Staff have a good understanding of children's learning needs and a clear vision for their achievement.
  • Partnerships with other professionals are strong, which helps to address any identified gaps swiftly.
  • All children have regular opportunities to practise their large- and small-muscle skills and exercise in the fresh air.
  • Staff help children to gain a love of books, promoting their early literacy skills.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to plan and engage even more effectively with children for group activities
  • 2strengthen the two-way exchange of information with parents to ensure a consistent approach to children's care and learning development.
Inspection #10398050 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children make good progress in their learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Partnerships with other professionals are strong, which helps them to address any identified gaps swiftly. Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

Outdoor space

All children have regular opportunities to practise their large- and small-muscle skills and exercise in the fresh air. Staff deliver a well-thought-out physical development curriculum that helps to build on children's good physical skills. This includes when older children climb and balance on large equipment and run vigorously in open spaces while playing games.

Parent Reviews of First Steps Barley Croft

3.7
(3)
Agrita Abdan
a year ago

I couldn't be happier with First Spets Beumont Leys.The staff are incredibly caring,kind and patient, and my daughter has thrived in their positive environment. The nursery's curriculum is engaging and stimulating, and I love seeing my child learn and grow. Plus, the nursery uses the Tapestry app, which keeps me well-informed about my child's day. Thank you so much for everything you do!

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sophie hardy
2 years ago

Awful experience at first steps Beaumont however these nurseries are both linked Awful experience for my son wouldn’t wish it on anyone.wish it was possible to rate zero stars. Staff are vile and rude My son is now well settled in specialist provision and diagnosed . Staff didn’t care to help with that process at all. Infact they held him back without giving him the correct support which in turn made him regress. This has in turn delayed his diagnosis and significantly impacted on his ability to learn as he’s been held back. For a child who already has significant delays in all areas this is shocking that a nursery that’s supposed to care for children in there care and want the children to work at the best of their abilities would think that this is acceptable. Staff also believe sending a child with complex needs into a store room for observations is appropriate. Disgusting nursery with staff who roll There eyes during meetings with professionals. Not only this but make you feel like your being judged on a daily basis due to the unprofessional staff who behave like children in a playground ! Please do not send your child to this setting … this is your warning!! Stay well away and avoid unless you want to put your child through the trauma that mine endured. So glad my child is well away and has been supported fully in mainstream and now has moved on to a specialist provision that’s 100000X better than anything this nursery could ever provide Be warned you will Think it’s wonderful when your child first starts but the staff in the room when they move up are a complete different kettle of fish Nursery where reported to ofsted … and if I’m completely honest the staff need sacking and should not be around children especially children with COMPLEX ADDITIONAL NEEDS Not the only parent who thinks this way either … Glad my child is well away and I’d advise if your thinking of joining this place or have a child here either leave or don’t bother …. No child deserves to be treated In this way by staff who are qualified in the “caring professions” Especially not vulnerable children either !! - will most likely have this review taken down due to pure honesty as they’ve already deleted the Facebook page that’s along with it Truth hurts I guess 🤣

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NEBA FOOTBALL
3 weeks ago

I’ve had a really positive experience with First Steps Barleycroft since my son started in September. Naturally, I was a bit apprehensive at first—especially with everything you hear about nursery settings and concerns around health and development—but after sitting down with Abi and seeing the environment for myself, I felt reassured. The children already attending were welcoming, and my son didn’t want to leave after his initial visit. He settled well during his taster sessions. His first full day was emotional, which is to be expected, but within a week he had adjusted and now genuinely enjoys every session. The staff have been excellent from day one. My son knows his teachers by name, feels comfortable, and shows real confidence in the setting. A special mention to his key worker, Grace, along with the rest of the team—they are warm, attentive, and provide regular updates, which I value. Overall, I’m very happy with the care and support provided. The only downside is that I wish the opening hours were a bit longer. Aside from that, it’s a solid 5-star experience. ⭐️

Read on Google

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Inspection history

Date: December 2018

  • June 2025Good
  • October 2019Good
  • December 2018Requires improvement

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