Step Start Heybridge

Bentalls Complex, Colchester road, Maldon CM9 4NW
Review Us
8.9 25 Reviews
  • Step Start Heybridge, Maldon
Step Start Heybridge, opened in November 2021, has been purposely refurbished to offer the very best childcare and early years education.

The nursery features a well maintained outside area, which includes a trim trail, play train and separate baby garden. Inside, the nursery has spacious modern and homely rooms, including two baby rooms, a toddler room, a preschool room and a sensory room.

Please book a visit to see it for yourself!
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Funding & Fees

Please contact the nursery for information on their latest fees. 15 and 30 hours funding accepted including the new funding.

Contact Step Start Heybridge to get a personalised quote.

Contact Step Start Heybridge to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Holly Lacey (Head of Early Years Education)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 22

Total Places for Children

  • 78

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

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

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Parking

  • There are allocated parking spaces for the nursery that are clearly marked.

Step Start Heybridge Reviews (25)

8.9

Step Start Heybridge has a Review Score of 8.9 (8.910) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Step Start Heybridge has 25 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 25
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  • 8
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Reviewer Connection to Step Start Heybridge
  • 21
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Total of 25, showing 21-25
Review from R H (Mother of Child) published on 8 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have two daughters who attend Step Start, aged 1 and 3.
We joined Step Start from another nursery and have been really impressed with the setting. The staff are helpful, caring and friendly, and both our girls love them.
The nursery is very professional, clean and well equipped.
Communication
is good; we have updates on the app and photos uploaded daily.
We have rated the facilities/outdoor space 4-stars instead of five because the last nursery we attended had a larger garden with green space. Due to the location of Step Start, the outdoor space is more like a playground, but the staff make up for the lack of green space with lots of educational activities outside and equipment like mud kitchens.
Overall, we think that Step Start is a great nursery; we have seen both our daughters develop beautifully whilst attending, and the team members seem to genuinely care about each of them. We highly recommend this nursery.
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Review from Zoe B (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our child had been struggling at a previous nursery as he wasn't being supported with dealing with his emotions, which led to spiralling behaviour to the point that we dreaded collection time. We moved him over to Step Start Heybridge at the end of March and have not looked back!
In the five months,
he has been there, there haven't been any problems; if he has been struggling, he has been fully supported by staff so frustrations haven't developed and he has become a much happier and more settled child.
The resources that the children have access to for learning are amazing. The staff care so much for the children and also their family and will support them in any way they can.
Our son loves going to nursery, enjoys the meals and snacks and has so much fun.
His development and independence have grown so much in his short time here, and the staff have really helped to prepare him for school with regular updates for us too.
We're just sad he has to leave to go to school!
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Review from Aimee W (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot fault Step Start in any way; they have been absolutely fantastic for my daughter. After having to make an abrupt nursery change between Christmas and New Year, I was incredibly anxious about how my daughter would settle after being in her previous setting from 9 months to 2 and half years,
but I needn't have worried. The team were absolutely fantastic at settling her and keeping my nerves at bay - not that she really needed any settling! She has come on leaps and bounds since Jan 2022, and I couldn't be happier with how she is looked after and how her learning is facilitated. Her baby sister is already enrolled, and she isn't due for another month!
The attention to detail by the team is second to none, and it will be a sad day when my daughter moves to primary school! But I know they will have prepared her in the best possible way, (especially when I work within education myself and know what is expected).
Thank you to the entire team for what you have done and continue to do.
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Review from Anna J (Mother of Child) published on 5 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our children have made amazing progress at Step Start Heybridge. We are so pleased with the care and support they are given by the staff. The staff are always so positive and put in 100% to make sure the children have the best day. We've always had great communication with the staff, who have always
put our minds at ease. Our children love going to nursery, and we, as parents, couldn't be happier!
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Review from Harshini C (Mother of Child) published on 3 September 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend this nursery highly enough. Both my sons attend the Heybridge setting, and they absolutely love it. The care is second to none, and the environment is clean and organised. Every day they set up multiple new activities to keep the kids engaged and stimulated, and throughout the day,
they keep up the energy with the children. We have moved nurseries a number of times over the past three years, and I cannot even compare this one to others as it's in a league of its own. The staff are professional and caring. We get regular feedback and feel involved in their day. I wouldn't want them to go anywhere else!
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Current Review Score: 8.9 (8.910)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.9 (8.910) out of 10 for Step Start Heybridge is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.2 out of 5 from 8 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 4.747 for Step Start Heybridge is calculated as follows: ( (76 Excellents x 5) + (14 Goods x 4) + (5 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 95 Ratings = 4.747
  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 4.163 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Step Start Heybridge is based on 8 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 = 3.65
    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 78 number of registered child places is 15.6. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 15.6 = 0.513
  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.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (0)

Meet the Team (6)

Holly

Holly Lacey

Job Title: Head of Early Years Education Joined: 2024

I started in Early Years back in 2020 as an apprentice and quickly knew this was the path for me. After qualifying and working my way up to senior roles, I joined Step Start in January 2024 and now proudly lead as Head of Early Years Education at Heybridge. I love supporting children on their journey, helping them fill their ‘suitcase’ with all the skills, behaviours and achievements they’ll need for their next steps. I’m passionate about building on children’s curiosity using open-ended, creative play.

Lara

Lara Anderson

Job Title: Deputy Head of Early Years Education Joined: 2024

From starting as an apprentice at 18 to now leading adventures in our rooms every day, I’ve always had a heart for working with children. I bring energy, imagination, and a whole lot of fun - whether it’s acting out stories with our older children or diving into messy play with the little ones. What makes me stand out? My child-like enthusiasm! You’ll often find me fully involved in the fun, turning everyday moments into exciting learning opportunities. Seeing a child smile and thrive is the best part of my job!

Mia

Mia Hinds

Job Title: Starting Steps Room Leader Joined: 2023

I completed my Level 2 in college and went on to gain my Level 3 in Early Years through an apprenticeship. I’ve always had a passion for caring for children, supporting their development, and making precious memories along the way. I love working with such a passionate team and getting to know each child’s unique personality. Messy play is my favourite - we’re talking gloop, mud, paint… if it’s messy, we’re doing it!

Justine

Justine Lock

Job Title: First Steps Room Leader Joined: 2022

I’m Level 3 qualified and have been a Room Leader for the past two years. Supporting the children every day and watching them reach their milestones is what makes this job so special. I’m always ready with open arms, and nothing makes me happier than seeing little ones thrive. Growing up, my aunt used to say, “You’re going to work with kids one day”, and I’d always deny it… but now, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!

Daisy

Daisy Evans

Job Title: Little Leaps Room Leader Joined: 2025

I am a Level 3 Early Years Practitioner and chose this career because I simply love working with children; they are the future, and every day is amazing doing what I love. I really enjoy both the children and the environment, as being able to support their development through so many different areas of play is such a privilege. Step Start offers a wide range of opportunities and resources, which makes every day enjoyable and engaging. I am passionate about creating an active learning environment where children can use all their senses and learn through hands-on experiences.

Michaela

Michaela Miller

Job Title: Big Steps Room Leader Joined: 2024

I’ve spent most of my career in childcare and can honestly say there’s nothing more rewarding than being part of a child’s journey. I hold a Level 5 qualification and Leave 3 SENDCo training, and I love that Step Start gives me the chance to build strong bonds with the children - whilst also being present for my own! I’m passionate about building confidence and sneaking in fun learning, like counting to 10 in Spanish and learning colours and days of the week.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Step Start Heybridge to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Step Start Heybridge has an Enhanced Service - more info.