Opening hours
Monday to Friday all year round, from 7am to 7pm
Second Steps Day Nursery (Althorne)
Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2024)
Number of places
62 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2024
Local authority
Essex
About this day nursery
Second Steps Day Nursery (Althorne) Ltd, established in 2022, operates Monday to Friday all year round, from 7am to 7pm, providing a welcoming and homely environment for children aged 0-4 years. Rated 'Good' by Ofsted on 8th November 2024, the nursery prides itself on its dedicated team and a curriculum designed with each child at its heart, ensuring children leave their parents with ease and quickly engage in play.
The nursery offers rich learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors, with planning that supports children's interests and allows them to lead their own learning. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve good outcomes and are well-prepared for their transition to school.
Children benefit from daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise in a well-equipped garden, and also enjoy local walks and using climbing equipment in the park. Parents consistently speak highly of the setting, feeling reassured their children are in safe hands and making good progress, echoing the inspector's observation that children are at the centre of all decisions.
The gentle, nurturing staff are skilled in their interactions, offering praise and encouragement, fostering confidence and a strong sense of belonging among the children.
What it's like
The management and dedicated team of staff are committed to providing children with a most homely, calm and inviting environment in which to learn and have fun. The nursery offers rich learning opportunities and is welcoming for all children, who are at the centre of all decisions. Therefore, children leave their parents with ease and quickly engage in their play.
Homely and inviting environmentChild-centred approachGood outcomes for all childrenRich outdoor learningSupportive staffPositive parent feedback
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2022
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Second Steps Day Nursery (Althorne)
Last inspected 8 November 2024 · Lynn Hartigan
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
The management and dedicated team of staff are committed to providing children with a most homely, calm and inviting environment in which to learn and have fun. The nursery offers rich learning opportunities and is welcoming for all children, who are at the centre of all decisions. Therefore, children leave their parents with ease and quickly engage in their play.
Inspector highlights
- The management and team of staff ensure the curriculum is well planned, including planning in the moment, which is fully understood, allowing children to lead their learning.
- Staff know the children well, have a good understanding of child development, and provide a good quality of teaching.
- Children learn the importance of a healthy lifestyle through daily routines, with opportunities for fresh air and exercise in a well-equipped garden.
- Babies' individual routines are respected and fully discussed with parents, leading to babies being very happy, confident, and secure in their homely environment.
- Staff feel fully supported through supervision, their well-being is considered, and their professional development is positively encouraged.
Areas to develop
- 1strengthen the use of effective questioning skills to give children more time to think and respond to questions and enable them to share their thoughts and ideas
- 2include more focused activities within the curriculum to support children's understanding of emotions and develop their vocabulary further, to enable them to express how they feel.
Inspection #10367290 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents speak very highly of all aspects of nursery.
Parents comment they feel completely reassured their children are in safe hands and are making good progress.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve good outcomes and are prepared for their transition to school.
Outdoor space
Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in a well-equipped garden. They often walk in the local environment or develop large physical skills as they use climbing equipment in the local park.
Parent Reviews of Second Steps Day Nursery (Althorne)
5.0
(8)
Sheree Sainsbury
3 years ago
Nursery is absolutely out of this world its so clean and unbelievably tidy. All members of staff are so welcoming, lovely, polite and easy to talk to. They serve snacks throughout the day and also provide a hot meal at lunch... My son started in September and has settled in extremely well ☺️ he looks forward to going everyday.. very happy and highly recommended. Thank you to all the staff for doing amazing everyday.
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Lucy Searles
3 years ago
Our little boy loves going to Second Steps Althorne. Although he has only been attending for a short time, we have seen a huge difference in him. He had a bad experience from a previous nursery but thanks to the girls at Second Steps he has stopped getting upset when we leave him and put faith back into myself and my husband about child care. Highly recommend, exceptionally clean, home from home experience and fresh home made food!
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Samantha Perry
3 years ago
Second steps is amazing all the team are so wonderful and made my 2 boys feel so welcome they absolutely love going to Nursery and love all the staff. It's a real home from home feel with so much fun activities to do both of my boys have grown so much in confidence since joining this beautiful Nursey i can't thank them enough
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Devon evers
3 years ago
Brilliant nursery. My little girl who is 2 absolutely loves coming here. Always comes home telling me what a fun day they have had. The staff go above and beyond. Would recommend to anyone!
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Stevi Wheeler
2 years ago
Brilliant Nursery, my little girl loves it, her development has come on greatly since starting here. Every single one of the team are so lovely. Thank you for all you do. X
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Second Steps Day Nursery (Althorne). See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: November 2024
- November 2024Good
- November 2024Good
Frequently asked about Second Steps Day Nursery (Althorne)
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