Stepping Stones in Maidstone

About this day nursery

Stepping Stones, located in Maidstone, Kent, is a well-established childcare setting that opened in 2016. It operates as a pre-school from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term-time only, and caters to children aged two to four years.

The nursery has a capacity for 24 children, with 22 currently on roll, and is supported by six dedicated staff members, four of whom hold early years qualifications at level 2 or 3. The staff at Stepping Stones are committed to providing a nurturing environment where children feel happy, confident, and secure.

They foster warm, trusting bonds with children, taking the time to get to know each child and offering calm reassurance. The setting places a strong emphasis on physical development through engaging play equipment and activities that strengthen core muscles and fine motor skills.

Additionally, a love for reading is promoted, with children having access to a diverse range of books. Parents frequently praise the staff for their support and advice, valuing the information shared about their children's learning and easy transitions into the nursery and eventually to school.

The nursery ensures effective safeguarding arrangements are in place, fostering an open and positive culture where children's interests are paramount. The leadership and management team has worked diligently to improve the quality of provision since the last inspection, resulting in a "Good" overall effectiveness rating from Ofsted as of June 2025.

This commitment to continuous improvement ensures a supportive and enriching experience for all children attending Stepping Stones.

What it's like

Children show they feel happy, confident and secure in this nursery. Staff build warm, trusting bonds with children and respond with care to each child's needs, taking time to get to know new children and offer calm reassurance. Staff model polite and respectful behaviour, which positively impacts the children, helping them to become patient and consider the needs of others. Children grow in confidence and independence and develop skills for future learning, benefiting from careful consideration given to their physical development and opportunities to explore fine motor movements.

Pricing & funding