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First Steps in London

Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2022)
·
5.0(23 parent reviews) ·1 Pond Road, London, SE3 9JL · Greenwich
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2022
Local authority
Greenwich

About this day nursery

First Steps Pre-School, located in Blackheath Village, South-East London, provides a stimulating and supportive environment for children from 9 months to 5 years old. The nursery champions the innate curiosity of young children, fostering imaginative play and individual learning paths.

With a commitment to making learning enjoyable, First Steps provides spacious indoor and outdoor areas, including a dedicated forest space, enabling children to explore nature and develop resilience through real-world experiences. The approach is inspired by Montessori principles, promoting independence and a genuine love for learning within thoughtfully designed, homely spaces.

The dedicated team focuses on each child's well-being and development, ensuring a safe, caring, and vibrant setting where every child feels valued and supported to achieve their full potential.

Our ethos

First Steps Pre-School champions children's innate curiosity, fostering imaginative play and individual learning paths inspired by Montessori principles. They are committed to making learning enjoyable through exploration of nature and real-world experiences, promoting independence and a love for learning.

What it's like

Children are happy and settle well, greeted warmly by staff, fostering a sense of security. They explore independently, make good progress, and learn eagerly, supported by practitioners who follow their interests and encourage positive social interactions. The setting also helps children understand themselves and the wider community through diverse activities.

Montessori-inspired approachSpacious outdoor areasDedicated forest space

Pricing & funding

Charges are billed in advance with a minimum booking requirement of two sessions. Fees include snacks, drinks, and resources, and remain payable during all absences, holidays, inset days, and unforeseen closures. Sibling discounts are available, and government funding can be claimed for eligible children.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • Breakfast Session£10.00 / session
  • Morning Session£48.00 / session
  • Pre-school full day£65.00 / day
  • Afternoon Session£45.00 / session
  • After school (Next Steps)£16.50 / session

Good to know

  • Minimum booking of 2 sessions is required.
  • Fees include snacks, drinks, and resources.
  • Full fees are payable during all absences, sickness, holidays, inset days, and unforeseen closures.
  • A 10% sibling discount is available.
  • Requires a non-refundable registration fee and a deposit upon booking.
  • Fees are payable in advance by BACS, standing order, or childcare vouchers.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm with sessions from 9.30am to 12 midday and from 12pm to 3pm.

Age range

9 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

2018

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for First Steps

Last inspected 28 March 2022 · Katie Smith

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 well, greeted warmly by staff, fostering a sense of security. They explore independently, make good progress, and learn eagerly, supported by practitioners who follow their interests and encourage positive social interactions. The setting also helps children understand themselves and the wider community through diverse activities.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager is dedicated and has a clear vision for the curriculum, including supporting children with additional needs.
  • Children benefit from a curriculum based on their interests and individual learning needs.
  • Practitioners have a strong focus on children's communication and language, supporting development effectively.
  • Children who speak English as an additional language make good progress.
  • Parents speak very highly of the nursery, praising the family feel and the care and patience of practitioners.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen staff practice to develop their questioning techniques to further extend children's thinking skills and allow them time to respond.
Inspection #10190308 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak very highly of the nursery and say that their children enjoy attending.

They discuss the family feel and the care and patience the practitioners show towards their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The manager has a secure knowledge of how to support children with additional needs. Practitioners specifically track the development of children who speak English as an additional language to ensure they are not left behind.

Outdoor space

Practitioners provide opportunities for children to access fresh air and exercise to support their physical development and well-being. Children also develop their understanding of nature as they care for their tortoise and explore the natural environment.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language make good progress. Practitioners use a variety of resources to help children develop in English and their home language. The manager specifically tracks the development of children who speak English as an additional language to ensure they are not left behind.

Parent Reviews of First Steps

5.0
(23)
Gayani Raheem
4 months ago

We had a wonderful experience at First Steps Nursery. From the very beginning, the staff were incredibly welcoming, nurturing and attentive, while also providing a stimulating and engaging environment for our two-year-old. As this was her first experience in a nursery setting, we were so impressed by how quickly she settled in, which was undoubtedly due to the kindness, patience and care shown by the team. Our daughter truly thrived during her time at First Steps, gaining confidence, developing socially and emotionally, and building a strong foundation that prepared her beautifully for moving on to join her brother at the pre-school attached to the primary school. We feel so fortunate to have found First Steps and are incredibly proud of the progress our daughter made while she was there. We genuinely miss the whole First Steps family and will always be grateful for the care and support they gave her.

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Jennifer Milton
3 months ago

Wonderful place. We were looking for a nursery/preschool quite suddenly as our circumstances had changed. First Steps Pre-School has been extremely accommodating and helpful at getting our 4-year-olds started straight away. The teachers are wonderful. It’s a small group compared to other nurseries, which I like. It’s a very nurturing place. We also love that they do trips every term!

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Michael Flavin
7 months ago

Our daughter has attended First Steps for several months and absolutely loves it. The staff are amazing - so caring and passionate towards creating an enjoyable environment for the kids. The outdoor space is perfect and is safe for them to explore, and our daughter enjoys the variety of activities the nursery puts on each day. I'd highly recommend First Steps!

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Dan MacPherson
4 months ago

A fantastic preschool. Our daughter absolutely loved it here. The staff were caring and responsive - could not fault them.

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Chrisi White
a year ago

My daughter has been attending First Steps from age 2 and could not be happier. The staff are so lovely and caring, settling in was a breeze! She has gained massively in confidence and made many great friends. There are also lots of opportunities for parents to be involved so it feels more like a little family - we love it!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for First Steps. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

28 March 2022

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about First Steps

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