Opening hours
8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
Stepping Stones Day Nursery (Totton) Ltd, located in Southampton, SO40 9GF, offers childcare for children aged 0-4 years. The nursery operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.
Inspected by Ofsted on 7th October 2024, the nursery received an overall "Good" rating. Children are warmly greeted and settle quickly, forming strong attachments with their key person.
Staff are attentive and support children's choices, fostering self-esteem and independence. The curriculum at Stepping Stones Day Nursery effortlessly supports children's curiosity, with staff interweaving learning as children explore and investigate various materials, developing skills such as small motor control and expanding their vocabulary.
The nursery ensures effective key-person arrangements for all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), utilising additional funding to help close any learning gaps. Older children at the nursery are also involved in risk-assessing the garden area, developing their understanding of safety.
Parents commend the staff and management team for their good communication, support, and guidance, highlighting that their children flourish at the nursery.
What it's like
Children are happy and confident at the nursery, warmly greeted by staff, and settle quickly into familiar routines, forming strong attachments with their key person. Staff are attentive to children's needs, support their choices, and use effective strategies to promote positive behaviour, fostering self-esteem and independence. The curriculum supports children's curiosity, with staff interweaving learning as children explore and investigate, developing a range of skills including small physical skills and vocabulary.
Funding accepted
Opening hours
8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
Term time / All Year
All Year
Last inspected 7 October 2024 · Tracy Bartholomew
What it's like to attend
Children are happy and confident at the nursery, warmly greeted by staff, and settle quickly into familiar routines, forming strong attachments with their key person. Staff are attentive to children's needs, support their choices, and use effective strategies to promote positive behaviour, fostering self-esteem and independence. The curriculum supports children's curiosity, with staff interweaving learning as children explore and investigate, developing a range of skills including small physical skills and vocabulary.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Inclusion & environment
Effective key-person arrangements are in place to ensure that all children are well supported and their individual needs are met. Additional funding is used effectively to close any gaps in children's learning.
Older children are developing skills in how to keep themselves safe as they help staff to risk assess the garden area.
My daughter has been going to Stepping Stones for a few months now and she is loving it. The transition has been easy and not like what people told me to expect. She hasn’t once cried when I’ve dropped her off, in fact she reaches for the door! I love how regularly the team update the app, so I can see exactly how her day is going. I look forward to picking her up as I get to see her enjoying herself and the team are always so welcoming and happy to tell me about her day. You can tell how much they love and care for the children by the activities they design, the food they serve and the way they speak to & about them! My daughter has clearly built some lovely bonds with the ladies in her room and I can tell she is very happy and at ease with them. It is clear that all staff are professional, following policies well and they communicate exceptionally. I have no complaints or concerns and I look forward to seeing how much more she develops as time goes on!
Read on GoogleI cannot thank Stepping Stones Nursery enough for my son's start to nursery. I was really nervous about being separated from him but from the app updates and photo's I receive throughout the day, he is clearly experiencing a high level of care and really enjoying himself. Its been a much easier transition than I had imagined.
Read on GoogleStepping Stones Nursery has truly exceeded all of our expectations! From the moment we stepped in, it was clear that the safety and well-being of the children are their top priorities. The staff are warm, welcoming, and highly attentive, ensuring that every child feels loved and secure in their care. The nursery offers an incredible range of activities that are both educational and fun. There’s a perfect balance of creative play, hands-on learning, and outdoor exploration, which helps foster both cognitive and social development. Whether it’s building with blocks, engaging in imaginative play, or exploring the garden, the children are constantly encouraged to think, create, and interact. One of the standout features of Stepping Stones is their focus on creativity. The play invitations are thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity and imagination, and it’s amazing to see how engaged and excited the children are each day. And let’s not forget the food! The home-cooked meals look absolutely delicious, nutritious, and made with care. The cook Angie even gets the children involved frequently with her cooking club which Darcy absolutely loves! Stepping Stones is a truly special place where children can thrive, learn, and feel safe and happy. We couldn’t be more grateful for the wonderful care and support they provide. Highly recommend!
Read on GoogleStepping Stones has been part of all three of our children's journeys and I wouldn't choose anywhere else! The provision that they provide is incredible. We really love the curiosity approach to the play spaces, giving the nursery a beautiful homely feel and providing high level, rich experiences for the children. The communication with the staff is great & wonderful home cooked food- adds to the homely feel of the setting! Communication with the staff is fab and I feel very comfortable with leaving my child in their safe hands. We feel incredibly lucky that our children are/have attended this nursery! Thank you Stepping Stones family!
Read on GoogleStepping Stones is a warm, welcoming environment that feels just like home. The staff are exceptional—so caring, patient, and genuinely dedicated. They provide the best home cooked food with the menu changing often. The babies get to spend time playing in the garden and take part in a range of creative painting activities. My son loves his days there and is actually excited when he see’s his nursery bag in the morning. It’s the perfect setting for young children to feel safe, happy, and encouraged to explore their creativity. We feel so lucky to have found such a wonderful place for him!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Stepping Stones Day Nursery (Totton). See all on Google Maps
Most recent inspection
7 October 2024
Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.
View full Ofsted reportOther Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Stepping Stones Day Nursery (Totton).
Southampton · SO40 9HL
Southampton · SO40 9HL
Southampton · SO40 8DA
Southampton · SO40 3BA
Totton · SO40 3DW
Southampton · SO16 9RJ
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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