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Stepping Stones in Ripon

Ofsted: Expected standard·Blossomgate, Ripon, HG4 2AJ · North Yorkshire
Number of places
40 places
Age range
1–5 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2025
Local authority
North Yorkshire

About this day nursery

Stepping Stones in Ripon, North Yorkshire, is a well-established childcare setting that has been operating since 2002. It provides care for children aged 1 to 10 years and offers a rich and varied curriculum based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.

The setting prides itself on its nurturing "family-style atmosphere," where children build strong relationships with their key persons and other staff. Leaders and staff have shown dedicated commitment to continuous improvement, evidenced by their successful addressing of all actions from the previous inspection and their ongoing efforts to enhance staff training and understanding, particularly in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Parents consistently commend the positive impact on their children's social skills. Stepping Stones also encourages a healthy and active lifestyle, with children enjoying lively outdoor games and learning about the benefits of fresh air and understanding risks during play.

The setting is open Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 18:00, providing consistent care for families in the Ripon area.

What it's like

Leaders and staff have met all actions from the last inspection. Children are happy and settled in this welcoming provision. The setting supports all children's emotional needs well, including disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children form warm and positive bonds with their designated key person and other staff members, creating an enjoyable family-style atmosphere.

Varied curriculumPositive behaviourCaring staffStrong relationshipsGood social skills

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : 07:30 - 18:00

Established

2002

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Dec 2025

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
1 to 10
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Stepping Stones

Last inspected 9 December 2025 · Jan Harvey

What it's like to attend

Leaders and staff have met all actions from the last inspection. Children are happy and settled in this welcoming provision. The setting supports all children's emotional needs well, including disadvantaged children and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children form warm and positive bonds with their designated key person and other staff members, creating an enjoyable family-style atmosphere.

Inspector highlights

  • Children benefit from a varied curriculum and planned activities that link to their interests and next steps in learning.
  • All children at Stepping Stones are well behaved.
  • Caring staff use opportunities in children's play to help them learn and develop social skills.
  • An improved key-person system supports the development of close relationships at all levels.
  • All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive good levels of care.
  • Leaders have worked hard to strengthen staff understanding and knowledge to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) or other barriers to learning.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should continue to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of additional funding available to help all children make the best possible progress.
  • 2Leaders should support staff working with the older children to extend opportunities for them to access a wider range of books and materials to support early literacy skills and a love of reading.
Inspection #10415005 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities deeply value the support staff provide. Leaders and staff have strengthened their understanding and knowledge to support children with SEND, with some staff attending advanced training to further increase awareness and confidence.

Outdoor space

Children at Stepping Stones enjoy lively outdoor games, and staff use these opportunities to discuss the benefits of fresh air and support children in understanding risks while playing.

EAL / language support

Staff follow children's interests and find resources and turn-taking games to encourage children's communication and language and social skills.

Inspection history

Date: July 2009

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Inadequate). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • September 2025Inadequate
  • March 2023Good
  • April 2017Good
  • April 2015Good
  • July 2009Good

Frequently asked about Stepping Stones

About the setting

Stepping Stones was registered with Ofsted on 24/09/2002. It is a childcare on non-domestic premises type of setting, located at Blossomgate, Ripon, North Yorkshire. The registered person is Blakey, Jayne Nadine. The setting operates from 07:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.

URN
EY221441
Registered person
Blakey, Jayne Nadine
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary 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