Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Stepping Stones of Sopley

Ofsted: Good
(Dec 2023)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·Bransgore and Thorney Hill District Hall, Burnt House Lane, Christchurch, BH23 8DD · Hampshire
Number of places
30 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2023
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Stepping Stones of Sopley, a committee-managed childcare setting, was re-registered in 2013 and operates from the Thornley Hill District Hall in Bransgore, Hampshire. The nursery, rated 'Good' by Ofsted, provides full-day care for children aged 1 to 4 years old.

The dedicated team of five staff members, four of whom hold a Level 3 early years qualification, are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where children can thrive. The manager has worked diligently to implement significant improvements since the previous inspection, demonstrating a clear vision for the nursery's future.

Children benefit from a curriculum that sparks their interests, whether through engaging outdoor activities like making bird feeders and building with tyres, or learning how to cooperate and develop strong friendships indoors. The setting supports children's physical development and ensures effective safeguarding arrangements are in place, with all staff having up-to-date training.

What it's like

Children are confident to come into the welcoming nursery, where staff greet them warmly and support them to be independent. They develop close friendships and learn to cooperate in their play. Staff know their key children particularly well and provide a range of activities to meet individual needs and interests. Staff help children develop an understanding of risk and how to use equipment safely, encouraging good progress in their learning and development.

Good Ofsted ratingSupportive staffChild-centred curriculumStrong parent partnershipsOutdoor play

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm

Term time / All Year

Mixed

Established

2013

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Stepping Stones of Sopley

Last inspected 6 December 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are confident to come into the welcoming nursery, where staff greet them warmly and support them to be independent. They develop close friendships and learn to cooperate in their play. Staff know their key children particularly well and provide a range of activities to meet individual needs and interests. Staff help children develop an understanding of risk and how to use equipment safely, encouraging good progress in their learning and development.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are confident and independent in the welcoming nursery.
  • Staff greet children warmly and support them to be independent.
  • Children develop close friendships and learn how to cooperate in their play.
  • Staff know their key children particularly well and provide a range of activities planned to meet individual needs and interests.
  • Staff support children to develop their understanding of risk and teach them how to use equipment safely.
  • The manager has made significant changes since the previous inspection, improving the quality of the provision.
  • Children's behaviour has greatly improved since the last inspection.
  • Staff support children's enjoyment and engagement in their favourite stories.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported.
  • Staff support children with their physical development well.

Areas to develop

  • 1Strengthen staff's understanding of their roles and responsibilities to further improve teaching quality.
  • 2Strengthen staff practice in allowing children enough time to think things through and share their ideas, to further develop their communication skills.
Inspection #10306573 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The special educational needs coordinator is very knowledgeable and supportive of parents and staff. She works with different specialists to support children's individual needs. Children with SEND make good progress.

Outdoor space

Children show a keen interest in the birds and insects in the garden and enjoy making bird feeders. Staff support children with their physical development, encouraging them to use their imaginations outdoors, for example, by building with tyres and rolling them down the garden.

Parent Reviews of Stepping Stones of Sopley

5.0
(4)
Charlie Burns
4 months ago

We’ve have been using Stepping stones since my first child turned 18 months in October 2022, all the way up to starting school. I love this place, it’s the perfect solution for bransgore childcare, offering play indoors and outdoors, with a huge garden, growing veggies in the summer and lots of amazing activities. We are in love with this hidden gem and my second son started in November 2025 and is thriving there. It is ideal for young ones and also getting them ready for school! They’ve also just announced they are opening a baby room taking babys from 9 months which is going to be an absolute game changer as currently there isn’t any nursery in the village offering this! I can’t reccomend stepping stones any more, thank you for being there for my kiddos, at the heart of our bransgore community 🙏

Read on Google
Zivile Blynaite
3 months ago

It’s such an amazing setting with wonderful staff! My little one absolutely loves coming to the nursery and has the best time! All staff are excellent, nothing is a problem and for anxious mum like me, it’s so important to have a good communication. Honestly I can’t recommend this nursery enough!!!

Read on Google
Jenna Stubbington
a year ago

My son went to this pre school,he was very happy here, I had no concerns or worries. it's a hidden gem! Lovely huge indoor and outdoor space, lovely friendly staff. The perfect little village pre school. Offering hours in the school holidays, not term time only.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Stepping Stones of Sopley. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023

Date: March 2014

  • December 2023Good
  • July 2023Inadequate
  • October 2019Good
  • March 2014Good

Frequently asked about Stepping Stones of Sopley

Nearby day nurseries in Christchurch

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Stepping Stones of Sopley.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

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