Term time / All Year
Term Time
Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jul 2024)
Number of places
30 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2024
Local authority
Stoke-on-Trent
About this day nursery
The highly committed manager and staff share the highest expectations and aspirations for all children, with an exceptionally well-designed curriculum that ensures continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills. This commitment to educational excellence is reflected in their latest Ofsted overall rating of Outstanding from the inspection on 16th July 2024.
The setting excels in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) through a well-designed curriculum and targeted support, working with external agencies to provide timely assistance. Children are exceptionally well cared for in a safe and stimulating environment, forming close, caring relationships with staff.
They develop excellent physical skills, enjoying practice and development in very well-resourced indoor and outdoor areas. Communication and language are a particular strength, with children immersed in literacy and staff using ambitious vocabulary.
What it's like
Children are exceptionally well cared for in this safe and stimulating environment. Staff greet them warmly, and they settle very quickly, developing close, caring relationships. The committed manager and staff share the highest expectations and aspirations for all children, with a well-designed curriculum helping them to continuously acquire knowledge and skills and make rapid progress.
Outstanding Ofsted ratingAges 2-4 yearsTerm-time onlyExcellent SEND provisionRich outdoor learningStrong communication skills
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school
Last inspected 16 July 2024
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children are exceptionally well cared for in this safe and stimulating environment. Staff greet them warmly, and they settle very quickly, developing close, caring relationships. The committed manager and staff share the highest expectations and aspirations for all children, with a well-designed curriculum helping them to continuously acquire knowledge and skills and make rapid progress.
Inspector highlights
- The dedicated and enthusiastic manager works closely with the deputy manager to ensure that the needs of children, their families and staff are met.
- Staff waste no time in getting to know children and their families, working closely with parents to find out about each child's needs and interests.
- Communication and language are supported exceptionally well, with children immersed in literacy and staff using ambitious vocabulary.
- Children become confident and competent individuals, inviting and immersing inspectors into activities, demonstrating that learning is everywhere.
- Children gain excellent physical skills, thoroughly enjoying practising and developing these in the very well-resourced and planned outdoor and indoor areas.
Inspection #10357053 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
The staff go above and above to provide a nurturing home from home.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The exceptionally well-designed curriculum helps all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to continuously acquire knowledge and skills. Staff identify any gaps in learning and put in place well-targeted support, working with other agencies to ensure children and families receive support quickly.
Outdoor space
Children gain excellent physical skills. They thoroughly enjoy practising and developing these, including balancing and jumping, in the very well-resourced and planned outdoor and indoor areas.
Parent Reviews of Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school
5.0
(17)
Karlie Moore
3 months ago
Both of my children attended Stepping Stones Nursery, and I truly cannot praise the setting enough. From the very beginning, the care, professionalism, and dedication shown by the entire team were outstanding. The owner is a highly educated and knowledgeable woman whose leadership is clearly reflected in the nursery’s glowing Ofsted reports and overall standards. My children thrived during their time there — growing in confidence, independence, and learning in such a nurturing and supportive environment. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in each child’s development. Communication with parents is excellent, and you always feel reassured that your child is safe, happy, and progressing. I am incredibly grateful for the positive start Stepping Stones gave my children and would highly recommend it to any family looking for exceptional early years car
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Myra Javed
3 months ago
I would honestly give this nursery 100 stars if I could.The level of care and attention they give to every child is absolutely outstanding. The staff are so attentive, nurturing, and genuinely invested in each child’s development. You can really see how much they care. The education they provide is amazing — it’s not just about learning the basics, but about building confidence, social skills, and a love for learning. They make every activity engaging and fun while still focusing on strong educational foundations. As a parent, knowing my child is in such a supportive, safe, and encouraging environment gives me complete peace of mind. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
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Hana Rafeeq
2 years ago
THE BEST NURSERY IN STOKE-ON-TRENT! A warm & welcoming start to your child’s educational journey! I highly recommend Stepping Stones Nursery to everyone I know. Enrol your child, you won’t regret it! 10/10
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Afzal Hassan
8 months ago
Stepping Stones Nursery is truly exceptional and deserves every bit of its Ofsted Outstanding rating. Our daughter Khadija started earlier this year and will finish next summer, and the progress she has made in such a short time is incredible. She has grown in confidence, independence, and learning, and she comes home every day excited to share her songs, stories, and new skills. The management and staff are second to none warm, professional, and completely dedicated to the children. The care, planning, and thought they put into each day is outstanding, and they have created an environment that is safe, nurturing, and inspiring. The communication with parents is excellent, and we always feel involved in Khadija’s journey. We feel so fortunate that Khadija has spent this important stage of her early years at Stepping Stones. The whole team goes above and beyond, and we couldn’t recommend this nursery highly enough to any family wanting the very best start for their child.
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Danielle Barton
2 years ago
Amazing nursery 💕 Before this nursery My son went to 2 different nurseries and didn't settle in any of them. I brought him here, and just the way they spoke and cared for the children, I put his name down straight away. My son absolutely loves coming to stepping stones, I've never had any problems and he always goes in with a smile and comes out with a smile. The staff are just brilliant, very friendly and kind I recommend this nursery to everyone 🩷
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2024
Date: January 2014
- July 2024Outstanding
- December 2018Good
- July 2014Good
- January 2014Inadequate
Frequently asked about Stepping Stones Community Organisation & Pre-school
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