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Stepping Stones Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2025)
·Teachers Way, Hardley, Southampton, SO45 2QG · Hampshire
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Stepping Stones Preschool, located in Hardley, Southampton, is a "Good" rated childcare setting established in 2005. Operating from a classroom in Manor Church of England Infant School, it provides full-day care for children aged two to four years old during term time, from 9am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday.

The preschool is staffed by five educators, all qualified to at least level 3 in early years. Inspectors highlighted the warm welcome children receive and the staff's focus on building strong relationships with both children and their families, fostering a sense of belonging.

The setting effectively supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and uses additional funding for communication programmes to aid speech and language development. Stepping Stones Preschool also provides a rich environment that sparks children's creativity and promotes positive learning attitudes through activities like digging for treasure and building structures, complementing a daily routine that encourages independence and healthy habits.

What it's like

Staff give children a warm welcome as they arrive at the pre-school. Children happily wave goodbye as they confidently leave their parents and settle quickly. Staff tailor the environment to children's interests and needs, offering diverse activities such as digging for treasure and creative building. They foster a calm atmosphere, promoting positive and respectful behaviour through consistent praise and positive language, ensuring children are happily engaged and focused.

Warm welcomeStrong relationshipsCreative activitiesSEND supportPositive attitudes

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

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

Key facts

Opening hours

9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

Term_time_only

Established

2005

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Stepping Stones Preschool

Last inspected 11 July 2025

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Staff give children a warm welcome as they arrive at the pre-school. Children happily wave goodbye as they confidently leave their parents and settle quickly. Staff tailor the environment to children's interests and needs, offering diverse activities such as digging for treasure and creative building. They foster a calm atmosphere, promoting positive and respectful behaviour through consistent praise and positive language, ensuring children are happily engaged and focused.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff give children a warm welcome as they arrive at the pre-school. Children happily wave goodbye as they confidently leave their parents and settle quickly.
  • Staff know the children extremely well. They prioritise building strong relationships with them and their families.
  • Staff create a calm atmosphere, which supports children to be happily engaged and highly focused throughout the day.
  • Leaders and staff are passionate about their roles. Leaders ensure effective, regular staff supervision sessions are in place and support staff's well-being.
  • Leaders and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well.
  • Leaders and staff establish positive relationships with parents. They gather detailed information from parents when children first start.
  • Staff provide children with many opportunities to develop their creativity, such as building structures with different resources, painting and drawing.
  • Staff support children's physical development well. For instance, children gain good physical skills as they ride bicycles and climb in the garden.

Areas to develop

  • 1Embed the new curriculum, strengthening staff's understanding of the curriculum intent, so that their teaching is more consistently focused on what they want children to learn.
  • 2Strengthen the daily routine so disruptions to children's play and learning are minimised.
Inspection #10398811 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. They make timely referrals and work closely with parents and other professionals. Staff establish targeted plans, so children receive early intervention. Leaders use additional funding that children are entitled to effectively. For example, they have invested in a communication programme to support children's speech and language development. This has a positive impact on helping children to reach their potential.

Inspection history

Date: January 2009

  • July 2025Good
  • November 2019Good
  • March 2015Outstanding
  • January 2009Good

Frequently asked about Stepping Stones Preschool

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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