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Step Start Mountnessing

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2024)
·
4.3(6 parent reviews) ·281 Roman Road, Mountnessing, Brentwood, CM15 0UH · Essex
Number of places
70 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2024
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Step Start Mountnessing provides a nurturing environment for children from 6 weeks old until the September following their fourth birthday, with options for deferring school entry to remain at the nursery longer. The nursery prides itself on a fair and transparent admissions process, guided by The One Childhood Approach, which focuses on fostering curiosity, confidence, and a love for learning.

They adhere to statutory requirements such as EYFS staff-to-child ratios and Ofsted space regulations, ensuring a safe and stimulating environment. Children are placed in age-appropriate settings, and a minimum of two days attendance per week is generally required, although this can be reduced to one stretched day for families utilising 15 funded hours.

Regular attendance is encouraged to support settling-in, build strong relationships with practitioners, maintain routines, encourage social connections with peers, and support consistent learning and development. The application process involves checking availability, completing a registration form, and paying joining fees, which include a non-refundable registration and uniform fee and a deposit, with exemptions for funded-only places.

Step Start Mountnessing is committed to providing high-quality education and care to all children, regardless of whether they are funded or fee-paying.

Our ethos

The nursery's pedagogical approach is guided by The One Childhood Approach, which aims to foster children's curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. Step Start Mountnessing is committed to providing high-quality education and care to all children.

What it's like

Children happily arrive, eager to explore the activities provided. They are greeted by happy, friendly and enthusiastic staff, who help them to settle quickly into an activity of their choice. Children demonstrate curiosity and engagement as they explore the well-considered learning environment.

EYFS curriculumFocus on curiosity and confidenceFlexible funding optionsExtended care with optional add-ons

Pricing & funding

The nursery charges a flat registration and uniform fee, alongside a deposit based on weekly booked days. Fee structures include policies for deferrals, early place confirmation, and administrative charges for incomplete documentation. Optional daily add-ons are available for meals, consumables, enrichment, and extended hours.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Good to know

  • Non-refundable registration and uniform fee of £99 per child.
  • Deposit of £80 per booked day per week is credited against the first month's invoice.
  • Deferrals are possible for up to 3 months with a £250 monthly holding fee.
  • Early place confirmation fee is £50 per requested day per calendar month.
  • A £200 administrative fee is charged if documentation deadlines are missed.
  • Optional daily packages are offered for food, consumables, enrichment, and extended hours.

Key facts

Opening hours

51 weeks of the year, closing for public holidays and the working days between Christmas and New Year

Age range

6 weeks old until the September after their fourth birthday

Waitlist

Waiting list available if no immediate place

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Step Start Mountnessing

Last inspected 20 November 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children happily arrive, eager to explore the activities provided. They are greeted by happy, friendly and enthusiastic staff, who help them to settle quickly into an activity of their choice. Children demonstrate curiosity and engagement as they explore the well-considered learning environment.

Inspector highlights

  • Children show a strong sense of self-worth and are positively encouraged to make choices about their day.
  • All children attending make good progress, with staff fully aware of individual needs and interests.
  • Children learn skills to be independent and about healthy lifestyle through daily routines.
  • Children learn about the natural world and wider community through planned outings and activities, such as observing stick insects and learning about their habitat and eating habits.
  • Children make good progress in their speech and language development and use Makaton to ensure all children can communicate.

Areas to develop

  • 1help children to understand how to take more care of their environment and resources, particularly when they are leading their own play.
Inspection #10367361 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say that communication is good as staff share information with them about their children's learning.

They appreciate the ideas about how to continue their child's learning at home.

Parents say that their children's language development and confidence have improved since attending the nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff are fully aware of children's individual needs and interests, including those who require additional support. Activities are provided with a precise focus on supporting each child's individual needs.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy fresh air and exercise in the garden daily.

Parent Reviews of Step Start Mountnessing

4.3
(6)
Neo
8 months ago

Facilities are fine. Welcome tour is great. However, this was all taken down by their back office service. They don't include their terms and condition in their invoice which can be a tricky part. No cooling-off period with their service. Be careful when you use their online service when securing a place for your little one, they have a no refund policy for the reservation fee and deposit which cost me around £400! Their communication is horrible. Their email response is very slow and sometimes they don't respond at all. Especially when you call their number, it is difficult to get hold of anyone. And if you do, please stay away from Vicki from their accounting department. Very rude and not helpful at all. She is one of the main reason why we gave this rating and cancelled our service with Step Start.

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Jasmine
7 months ago

My son adored it here ❤️ he would ask daily when he was going to nursery and be so excited to tell em about his day when he got home. Thank you for being such amazing caregivers x

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L X
2 years ago

I absolutely FELL IN LOVE with this nursery! The organisation blew me away. These people know what they are doing with these young children. There is structure and everything is in order. The children listen and they are extremely alert. The cleansingness of the building was like I’ve never seen in any nursery in my life! When I walked in one of the staff was actually steam cleaning the floor ready for the children to come back in. Sarah is also a real credit to this nursery. I want to say a big thank you to Sarah, she was so professional and also covered absolutely everything leaving me with no questions to ask, really down to earth lady too and fantastic with children. Thank you all for a fantastic visit!

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Siobhan Copland
4 years ago

Can honestly say this nursery is 5 star, the staff are professional, knowledgeable, passionate about their work, genuinely care about the children. Our daughter was slightly delayed with speech, and I truly believe the support at step start helped tremendously with her development in this area and other areas. They have a great system where they share updates daily on your childs routine, from the activities they take part in with photos of them engaged in activities, as well as food diaries. They give varied nutritious food. Most importantly my daughter was very happy here, only sad that her time with Cerys, Danni and the rest of the staff is up, will definitely be sending my other children here.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Step Start Mountnessing. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: February 2019

  • November 2024Good
  • February 2019Good

Frequently asked about Step Start Mountnessing

About the setting

Step Start Mountnessing registered in 2017 and is situated in Mountnessing, Essex. The nursery employs 22 members of childcare staff, 16 of whom hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 2 or above. The nursery opens Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year, from 7am until 6pm and provides funded early education for children aged between nine months and four years.

URN
EY547550
Registered person
Step Start Nurseries Mountnessing Ltd
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more