--- title: "Stepping Stones Preschool — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "Stepping Stones Preschool, a nursery in Southampton — Ofsted-rated Good. 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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It does not accept children under 2 years old." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded hours does Stepping Stones Preschool accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The preschool accepts 15 hours for disadvantaged 2-year-olds and 15 universal hours for 3- and 4-year-olds." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Stepping Stones Preschool support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff support children with SEND through timely referrals, close work with parents and outside professionals, and targeted plans that guide early intervention. Additional funding is used effectively, including a communication programme that supports speech and language development." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What stands out about Stepping Stones Preschool?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff greet children warmly, helping them settle quickly and separate confidently from parents. They know children and families well, build calm routines that keep children focused, and give strong support for creativity and physical development through activities such as painting, construction, cycling, and climbing." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What type of nursery is Stepping Stones Preschool?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Stepping Stones Preschool is classed as childcare on non-domestic premises. It provides full day care." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![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. [South East](/search?region=South+East) 4. Stepping Stones Preschool # Stepping Stones Preschool Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 welcome Strong relationships Creative activities SEND support Positive attitudes ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 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 - 1 Embed 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. - 2 Strengthen the daily routine so disruptions to children's play and learning are minimised. Inspection #10398811 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50284191) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Stepping Stones Preschool Inspection date Jul 2025 Inspection no. 10398811 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50284191)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY297420) 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 Teachers Way, Hardley, Southampton, SO45 2QG [© 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#/-1.39117/50.8337/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Southampton - [Day nurseries in Southampton](/search?q=Southampton) - [Day nurseries in South East](/search?q=South+East) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=stepping-stones-preschool-so45-2qg-ey297420) 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 2025 Good - November 2019 Good - March 2015 Outstanding - January 2009 Good ## Frequently asked about Stepping Stones Preschool ### Is Stepping Stones Preschool suitable for under-twos? ### Which funded hours does Stepping Stones Preschool accept? ### How does Stepping Stones Preschool support children with SEND? ### What stands out about Stepping Stones Preschool? ### What type of nursery is Stepping Stones Preschool? ## Nearby day nurseries in Southampton Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Stepping Stones Preschool. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Saplings (Childrens) Day Nursery Southampton · SO45 2HW ](/nursery/saplings-childrens-day-nursery-ltd-so45-2hw-ey432713) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.7 mi ### Good Shepherd Pre-School Southampton · SO45 2JP ](/nursery/good-shepherd-pre-school-so45-2jp-110538) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.9 mi ### Woodberry Day Nursery and Pre-School- Fawley Southampton · SO45 2GD ](/nursery/woodberry-day-nursery-and-pre-school-fawley-so45-2gd-2710815) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.4 mi ### Tops Fawley Southampton · SO45 1DZ 4.1(13 reviews) ](/nursery/tops-fawley-so45-1dz-2531665) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.1 mi ### Little Shipmates Pre-School Southampton · SO45 6ET ](/nursery/little-shipmates-pre-school-so45-6et-ey543492) - [ Awaiting first inspection 2.3 mi ### Hive Day Nursery and Preschool Southampton · SO45 6EA ](/nursery/hive-day-nursery-and-preschool-so45-6ea-2871765) [See all nurseries in Southampton →](/search?q=Southampton) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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