--- title: "Stepping Stones, Ripon | Nursery Advice" description: "Stepping Stones, a nursery in Ripon. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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Staff working with older children are also being supported to broaden books and materials that strengthen early literacy and encourage reading." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Stepping Stones support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children with SEND are supported through close relationships with staff, with parents valuing the help given during referrals and day-to-day care. Leaders and staff have strengthened their knowledge, and some staff have completed advanced training to build confidence and awareness." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [Yorkshire and The Humber](/search?region=Yorkshire+and+The+Humber) 4. Stepping Stones # Stepping Stones in Ripon Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 curriculum Positive behaviour Caring staff Strong relationships Good 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 Achievement Expected standard Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines Expected standard Children's welfare and wellbeing Expected standard Curriculum and teaching Expected standard Inclusion Expected standard Leadership and governance Expected 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 - 1 Leaders should continue to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of additional funding available to help all children make the best possible progress. - 2 Leaders 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: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50293953) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Stepping Stones Inspection date Dec 2025 Inspection no. 10415005 Lead inspector Jan Harvey [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50293953)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY221441) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed Blossomgate, Ripon, HG4 2AJ Opening hours Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday : 07:30 - 18:00 [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-1.52706/54.13744/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Ripon - [Day nurseries in Ripon](/search?q=Ripon) - [Day nurseries in Yorkshire and The Humber](/search?q=Yorkshire+and+The+Humber) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=stepping-stones-hg4-2aj-ey221441) 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 2025 Inadequate - March 2023 Good - April 2017 Good - April 2015 Good - July 2009 Good ## Frequently asked about Stepping Stones ### Does Stepping Stones take babies? ### Does Stepping Stones have an Ofsted rating? ### What does Stepping Stones do well for children? ### How many children are on roll at Stepping Stones? ### What is Stepping Stones working on improving? ### How does Stepping Stones support children with SEND? ## 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 ## Nearby day nurseries in Ripon Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Stepping Stones. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.4 mi ### Busy Bees at Ripon Ripon · HG4 2RN 5.0(8 reviews) ](/nursery/kindercare-hg4-2rn-ey300452) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.6 mi ### Happylands Nursery/Playgroup Ripon · HG4 1TG ](/nursery/happylands-nursery-playgroup-hg4-1tg-ey493426) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.1 mi ### Yellow Ribbon Pre School Ripon · HG4 2RD ](/nursery/yellow-ribbon-pre-school-hg4-2rd-ey361345) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.1 mi ### Appletrees Day Nursery Ripon · HG4 3LR ](/nursery/appletrees-day-nursery-hg4-3lr-ey382392) - [ Ofsted rating unavailable 3.8 mi ### Little Pippins Montessori Nursery Ripon · HG4 5AJ ](/nursery/little-pippins-montessori-nursery-hg4-5aj-2790971) - [ Ofsted: Good 4.9 mi ### Fountains Playgroup and Pre-School Ripon · HG4 3PJ ](/nursery/fountains-playgroup-and-pre-school-hg4-3pj-400414) [See all nurseries in Ripon →](/search?q=Ripon) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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