First Steps Junior Academy

The nursery provides a warm, nurturing, and safe environment that immediately puts both babies and us parents at ease. The staff are attentive, caring, and clearly experienced, showing genuine affection and patience. It's reassuring to see how well they understand individual needs, from feeding routines to nap schedules, and how thoughtfully they communicate updates throughout the day.

The space itself is clean, bright, and well-organized, with age-appropriate toys and sensory activities that support early development. There's a lovely balance between structured play and free exploration, allowing babies to grow at their own pace while still being gently guided.

What stands out most is the strong sense of trust the nursery builds with families. Staff are approachable and always willing to listen or offer advice. Overall, it's a wonderful environment where babies feel secure, stimulated, and cared for

Our child has been attending First Steps since 2024 and has progressed from the Baby Room to the Toddler Room. The manager and girls in the rooms made the transition seemless, allowing our child to quickly build bonds with her new supervisors and friends in the new room. The team are friendly, engaging, helpful and transparent. Communication is always very good from management and there is great clarity of any events or closures on the horizon. We now have our second child on the way, and we are relieved to have the confidence that they will have an enjoyable future with First Steps too.

The girls really provide a person centred approach in my opinion for each child- ensuring they are doing anything they can to make life easier for them- it is very clear that the staff there really care about each child. My daughter loves going in to see to see the girls and goes to them with open arms! Staff from all around the building are so friendly, chatty and caring. The staff show such a positive attitude everyday and are so thoughtful- I couldn't ask for better girls to care for my daughter

First Steps has been brilliant, our son loves going to the toddler room two days per week. The daycare have great ladies who care for the children, it was daunting sending ur first and only child somewhere but he has so much fun. His development with speech, colours, numbers and nursery rhymes has come along amazingly and I have the girls in the daycare to thank. We have the app which shows us all the great activities he gets involved in daily from art to baking and outdoor play. It's been the best place for our son while we are at work. Thank you ladies

Excellent daycare, friendly and caring staff and brilliant facilities for kids of all ages. My son has been attending from he was 9 months old and loves going the days he attends. The nutrition of the meals is also brilliant and considers what the kids need for fuel.

It provides great reassurance knowing our kids are being so well looked after whenever we're at work.

The staff are excellent. Nothing is ever too much trouble. My child loves attending and I'm very happy leaving them in the care of the staff at First Steps Junior Academy. The activities are lovely and really well thought out. Management is approachable and is always happy to help.

Thank you.

My daughter has been going here since she was 2 and loves it. She loves all the staff and has lots of fun when she's in. The staff are friendly and have been a great help with potty training and ensuring my daughter's dietary requirements are met. Definitely recommend this daycare

Couldn't ask for a better nursery!

Keep up the great work.

Leaving my 1 year old off to go back to work was daunting, I am very hard to please and had the highest expectations. I need not have worried as the staff were fabulous and my boy really enjoyed his days in the baby room. They do the transitions between groups well and as he progressed to the toddler room, the pre-school room and now the after schools it's been great and smooth sailing. The manager is easy to approach, open and has a clear love for providing a great environment for children. I have yet to come across a member of staff my child or I did not like. I now have a 4-month-old too and when it's time to go back to work, I'll have zero reservations on heading back to First Steps!

The manager is so friendly and approachable.

Both my children have used this nursery. First steps in Portadown. Management and staff are really nice and accommodating to our needs. Even during COVID it was really well run. Over the years we've used the baby room and toddler room and my children were really happy in both of them.

Also would be helpful if maybe the weekly menus were available on the app if possible as sometimes I forget to look at them in advance, just a thought.

We couldn’t recommend them enough and look forward to many years of pictures and crafts (and snacks!) from First Steps!

Nursery staff very professional and helpful. My son is enjoying being in nursery. I see big developments in him. All my request for his habits and routine are respectful. Love the app and see his photos of what he is doing and check how he eats etc.

One member of staff in particular has been a little gem towards my daughter. She is so thoughtful and caring. My daughter goes to her every morning not a problem, arms out for her to hold her. All the girls are fantastic and do a great job. I'm delighted with her care. She loves going to First Steps, this makes leaving her very easy.

We look forward to spending many more years with First Steps Academy and take great comfort in knowing that it is money well spent on an excellent level of care! Thank you!

First Steps provide a first class service. They take the time to get to know each individual child, their needs and interests. The staff work hard to ensure that there are a range of activities to keep the children occupied and interested. Nothing is too much bother. Food is freshly home-cooked and the requirements of individual children are taken into account and catered for without issue.