Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool

46 Chase Road, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2RE
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10 29 Reviews
  • Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool, Southend-on-Sea
Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool is inspired by the Reggio Emelia Approach, which creates a lovely atmosphere for children to play and learn, assisted by caring, qualified Early Years Educators. Every member of the nursery, whether child, team member or parent, is respected and valued.

A 39 place nursery, where Explorers (3months -2years) and Discovers (2-4+ years) are supported through the Planning In The Moment philosophy to develop self-help skills, strong social relationships and to find out about the world.

The nursery provides:

A Parent App for daily updates on their child's well-being and progress

Home-cooked, nutritious meals and snacks, with fresh ingredients, prepared by the on-site cook

Eco friendly/aware nursery which uses environmentally friendly products and provides re-usable nappies

Modern security systems & CCTV cameras

Safe & secure gardens are used daily

Open from 7.30am until 6pm, 51 weeks per year
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Owner

  • Catherine Balogun
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Catherine Balogun (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 9

Total Places for Children

  • 39

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00-18:30
    Tuesday 07:00-18:30
    Wednesday 07:00-18:30
    Thursday 07:00-18:30
    Friday 07:00-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Parking

  • Free parking outside nursery and surrounding roads

Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool Reviews (29)

10

Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool has a Review Score of 10 (9.964) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool has 29 reviews.

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Date Published
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Reviewer Connection to Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
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Total of 29, showing 21-29
Review from Andrea W (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our girls love the staff at Stepping Stones, and they have come on so well since they have been attending the nursery. One of our daughters was initially really struggling with all-new environments, people and was quite behind with her communication skills and engagement. But with lots of special care
and attention from the wonderful staff at Stepping Stones, she has really turned a corner and is like a new baby. Engagement and updates from staff are fantastic, and we receive regular updates and images throughout the day. The nursery also runs lots of wonderful learning initiatives throughout the year, including learning sign language.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! Our staff team will be overjoyed with your comments! We really do love to see children settle, respond to us and start to develop those close bonds with…read more
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Review from A P (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The best nursery environment I have ever seen. It's clean, full of cosy toys and parents picture, which makes this feel like home. Since day one, my daughter is so excited to go to this nursery. Best recommendations.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you so much for your review! We really appreciate your time in giving us your feedback! The team will be so uplifted to hear your comments! We are just as happy to have your daughter here as she…read more
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Review from Hannah M (Mother of Child) published on 11 June 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After a bad experience at one nursery, by some luck, I stumbled across this goldmine. Stepping Stone's hadn't been open very long. I booked a visit to go and see the nursery. The manager greeted me, I stepped inside and immediately fell in love. The nursery, of course, was immaculate. The manager was
excellent at understanding my needs and worries as I had already had a bad experience at a previous nursery. So, I was feeling very nervous. Anyway, almost two years on, I have one extremely sociable, caring little boy. The girls at Stepping Stones are all amazing. My son's speech is very good. The girls always keeping me up to date with my little boy's progress. They go above and beyond to suit your needs. Whatever you need, they do their utmost to make sure they help you to the best of their ability. Thank God I found this place. I recommend anybody to send their child here. The manager is an excellent, owner and the staff she employs are second to none. Thank you to everybody at Stepping Stones.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you so much for this fantastic review! The ladies will be very excited to hear this! I cannot thank you enough, as our fantastic team always does their absolute best every day!…read more
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Review from L M (Mother of Child) published on 26 May 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
The nursery is a good place on the whole. The staff are friendly. The children's meals are great and prepared onsite. It's good they use the app to keep us updated on our child development. Just lately, my child would have a change of clothes and not be told why! All injuries are recorded. all naps
recorded, all nappy changes record. On the whole, I would recommend it.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you for your review. I am happy to hear that you are happy with a lot of aspects at our nursery.
It is unfortunate that you were not informed of the reason for your child's change of clothes…read more
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Review from Jo H (Mother of Child) published on 24 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has attended this nursery for several months. He began non-verbal and very clingy, and I was very nervous about leaving him and how he would settle. Within three months, his vocabulary is amazing, he has solid friendships and has made real bonds with the staff! All of this is because of the staff
and their determination to ensure the children are settled.


The ethos of the nursery is also highly important. It's very child-led and teaches the children to become independent and able.
The children enjoy a variety of activities and enjoy the garden each day. They are provided with healthy balanced meals, and as a mother of a child with several allergies, they cater to this brilliantly!
I can't thank the staff enough for ensuring my child is happy to come in and happy when he leaves as well as encouraging him to try new things and to explore! Thank you, ladies!

Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you so much for your great review, Jo! We really appreciate you taking the time to do this and the team will love reading your review! It is also a pleasure to have your son with us!
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Review from Ionela E (Mother of Child) published on 18 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is very happy to go to this nursery. All staff have been very kind and have helped my child settle into the nursery. The staff are very friendly and very involved in the children's activities.
I am very happy that they go out in the garden every day, which is very important.
The food is healthy,
and it is different from day to day; it is very important to provide healthy food to children.
I highly recommend this nursery.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you for your wonderful comments! We cannot agree more! Nutritious, healthy meals and snacks and lots of outdoor play are so important for growing children! We are very happy to have your son…read more
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Review from Jade B (Mother of Child) published on 18 May 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 2-year-old daughter started in the April term and absolutely loves it. She’s a very clingy child, and I told the nursery about that and when she first started, we came up with a plan to get her straight in to minimise the upset, and the staff are so wonderful and caring and so friendly. My daughter
has been there just short of a month and has settled very well and very quickly; she always comes out with a smile on her face and tells me everything she does. They range from drawing and painting to sticking and glueing, reading books, playing with shakers, playing in the garden in the sandpit and playing with puzzles. She has really come out of her shell since being there. I get updates throughout the day of what she’s been doing when her nappy was changed and what she has to eat. I would highly recommend this nursery to anyone.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you so much for your amazing comments, Jade!
We love having your daughter here, and I will be sure to share your comments with our amazing team!
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Review from J O (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son loves this nursery. He is always happy to go there. All the food is nice, and the staff are very helpful and always polite.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you so much for your review! We are really happy to have your son too! We do try really hard to provide healthy meals that the children enjoy! Our staff team will really appreciate your…read more
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Review from Mikki B (Mother of Child) published on 15 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool has created an impressive environment! My child is well looked after and excited to tell me about her day. The ethos of the setting is continuously adhered to throughout all early years practices, placing value with each child. It has strong communication with
building parent partnerships which are by continuously keeping me updated on what my child is doing and how she is developing. My daughter has an amazing bond with the staff, each bond being different but being sharing one commonality, that my daughter loves them all. They are a considerate and caring team who always position the child at the centre of learning, acting as facilitators to the child’s learning by encouragement and assisting with skills that are not fully secured yet. Overall, this is an outstanding nursery and I am incredibly grateful for all the hard work the team put in to make it an incredible environment.
Reply from Catherine Balogun, Owner/Manager at Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool
Thank you so much for your kind words, Mikki! We really value your feedback and the partnership you have with all of us at Stepping Stones! All of the Team will be elated with your review showing your…read more
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.964)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.964) out of 10 for Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.964 for Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool is calculated as follows: ( (161 Excellents x 5) + (4 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 166 Ratings = 4.964
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool is based on 14 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 39 number of registered child places is 7.8, which has been reached with 14 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

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