--- title: "Next Steps Preschool — Rated Good by Ofsted | Nursery Advice" description: "Next Steps Preschool, a nursery in Dover — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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The pattern combines longer days with a shorter midweek session." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded childcare hours does Next Steps Preschool accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting accepts universal 15-hour funding for 3- and 4-year-olds, along with 15-hour funding for disadvantaged 2-year-olds. These entitlements support eligible families using funded early years childcare." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What grade did Ofsted give Next Steps Preschool?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Next Steps Preschool has a current Ofsted overall grade of Good, following the inspection on 25/04/2024." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the outdoor space at Next Steps Preschool work?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children use an outdoor area for digging in sand and mud, and staff have created a sensory space where children can relax. Plans are also in place to develop an outside forest area with families." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Next Steps Preschool support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children with SEND are described as confident and comfortable in the setting, with close bonds formed with staff who know them well. Staff remain patient and calm, and children make good progress from their starting points." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South East](/search?region=South+East) 4. Next Steps Preschool # Next Steps Preschool Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Apr 2024) · St Martins Church Hall, Church Road, Dover, CT17 9LW · Kent Number of places 50 places Age range 2–4 yrs Last inspected Apr 2024 Local authority Kent About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery Next Steps Preschool, located in St Martins Church Hall in Dover (CT17 9LW), offers a kind and caring environment where children and families are at the heart of its provision. First registered in 2016, this pre-school operates Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with a shorter session on Tuesdays from 8:30 am to 11:30 am. The dedicated team of seven staff, five of whom hold a relevant early years qualification at Level 2 or above, work together to provide high-quality care and education for children aged two to four years. The pre-school has a strong focus on fostering independence and confidence in children, as evidenced by activities such as children buttering their own toast and washing up after snacks. Staff effectively promote good behaviour through praise and by acting as positive role models, helping children to develop strong self-esteem. The setting also has a positive relationship with the local church and community, and plans are underway to develop an outdoor "forest" area. Next Steps Preschool has consistently achieved a "Good" rating from Ofsted, including its latest inspection on April 25, 2024, reflecting its commitment to providing an enriching and supportive early years experience, enabling all children to make good progress from their individual starting points. What it's like Children and families are at the heart of this kind and caring pre-school. Staff welcome children at the door with smiles and cuddles, effectively supporting children's emotional well-being. Staff promote children's positive attitudes to learning well, encouraging them to do things for themselves, such as buttering their own toast at snack time. Staff have high expectations of children, planning an interesting and motivating curriculum based on children's needs and interests. Kind and caring High expectations Independence skills Effective safeguarding Good behaviour Enriching environment ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds ## Key facts Opening hours Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm and Tuesday from 8.30am to 11.30am Term time / All Year Mixed Established 2016 ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Next Steps Preschool Inspection date Apr 2024 Inspection no. 10335379 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50248050)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY500822) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed St Martins Church Hall, Church Road, Dover, CT17 9LW [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/1.29076/51.12246/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Dover - [Day nurseries in Dover](/search?q=Dover) - [Day nurseries in South East](/search?q=South+East) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=next-steps-preschool-ct17-9lw-ey500822) Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Next Steps Preschool Last inspected 25 April 2024 Overall effectiveness Good What it's like to attend Children and families are at the heart of this kind and caring pre-school. Staff welcome children at the door with smiles and cuddles, effectively supporting children's emotional well-being. Staff promote children's positive attitudes to learning well, encouraging them to do things for themselves, such as buttering their own toast at snack time. Staff have high expectations of children, planning an interesting and motivating curriculum based on children's needs and interests. Inspector highlights - Children and families are at the heart of this kind and caring pre-school. - Staff promote children's positive attitudes to learning well and encourage children to do things for themselves. - Staff have high expectations of children and plan an interesting and motivating curriculum. - Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are confident and comfortable, forming special bonds with staff. - Staff encourage children to recall previous learning to help them develop key skills. - Staff promote children's understanding of others, helping them to feel included and learn that all families are special. - Children benefit from staff who prioritise their understanding of self-care and encourage good oral health. - Leaders and managers are passionate and hardworking, with very positive relationships with the local church and community. Areas to develop - 1 Strengthen the deployment of staff so that children receive more consistent support to extend their learning during their play. - 2 Support staff to implement further strategies to encourage younger children's early communication skills. Inspection #10335379 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50248050) Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities demonstrate that they are confident and comfortable at the setting. They form special bonds with staff, who know them well. Staff are patient and calm. All children make good progress from their starting points. Outdoor space Children especially enjoy exploring outside, spending time digging in the sand and mud. Staff create a special sensory space where children can relax. Staff are excited to work with families to develop an outside 'forest' area in the future. Inspection history Date: June 2018 - April 2024 Good - June 2018 Good ## Frequently asked about Next Steps Preschool ### What are the opening hours at Next Steps Preschool? ### Which funded childcare hours does Next Steps Preschool accept? ### What grade did Ofsted give Next Steps Preschool? ### How does the outdoor space at Next Steps Preschool work? ### How does Next Steps Preschool support children with SEND? ## Nearby day nurseries in Dover Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Next Steps Preschool. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Happy Feet Nursery Dover · CT17 0DD ](/nursery/happy-feet-nursery-ct17-0dd-ey556968) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Jack in a Box Nursery Dover · CT17 9HJ 4.9(10 reviews) ](/nursery/jack-in-a-box-nursery-ct17-9hj-ey287295) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Kid Ease Dover Triangles Dover · CT17 0HL ](/nursery/kid-ease-dover-triangles-ct17-0hl-ey278153) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.9 mi ### Kaleidascope Childcare Dover · CT16 2LH ](/nursery/kaleidascope-childcare-ct16-2lh-ey312272) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.0 mi ### Discovery Nursery Dover · CT16 1PH ](/nursery/discovery-nursery-ltd-ct16-1ph-ey290188) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.1 mi ### Maison Dieu Nursery Dover · CT16 1RU ](/nursery/maison-dieu-nursery-ct16-1ru-127363) [See all nurseries in Dover →](/search?q=Dover) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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