Submit a Review for First Steps Junior Academy
66a Gilford Road, Portadown, Craigavon, BT63 5EF
View full details of First Steps Junior AcademyLatest Reviews for First Steps Junior Academy
20 April 2026
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
27 March 2026
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.
19 January 2026
My daughter has been attending first steps now for around 5 months, it was difficult for me to leave my child as she is my first but the girls at first steps couldn't have been better! They were so supportive of not only me but my daughter! They made us both feel so welcome and helped us relax into
this new routine.
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
02 January 2026
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
02 January 2026
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.
29 December 2025
We are always recommending First Steps to anyone who asks.
All of the staff are so friendly and caring and our children absolute love going to daycare.
The care and attention that the staff provide is clear every day and they're always able to give a thorough run down of our kids' days at pick
up.
It provides great reassurance knowing our kids are being so well looked after whenever we're at work.
26 February 2025
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.
21 February 2025
My daughter is going to First Steps Junior Academy for almost a year and she enjoys it very much that she asks to go back during the weekend.
As working parents, we are very glad to see our child is enjoying her nursery and we don't need to worry about her during our days.
First Steps helped so
much for our daughter's mental and physical growth in last year.
It was the best decision for us and our daughter to join First Steps.
Staff take pride in their work and help all the children to grow.
Keep doing good work.
Thank you.
21 February 2025
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
20 February 2025
My daughter was very nervous about starting nursery but the staff were so patient with her and helped her settle at her own pace.
She really loves going now and we can really see how much it is benefiting her speech and relationships with others.
Couldn't ask for a better nursery!
20 February 2025
My child has been at this nursery from toddlers to now attending after school and she loves it.
Great staff who go out of their way to look after each child's welfare.
Great communication and constant updates about what's going on in all the age groups.
Keep up the great work.
20 February 2025
First Steps in Portadown is First class.
My son has attended here since he was 1 and is now in P1 attending the after-school club. Each of the rooms he has been through is filled with wonderful staff, who really care about childcare and their development.
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!
20 February 2025
My son thrives in First Steps. The staff are excellent with him.
He is learning so much. His speech is coming along.
He is always so excited to go and has so much fun with all his friends.
The food is great and such a variety.
The facility is always so clean.
The manager is so friendly and
approachable.
19 June 2024
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.
06 March 2024
The nursery manager so welcoming and helpful when I was anxious at first whilst my baby was settling into the nursery.
Excellent service from all staff. Really listen to what you've got to say and also give me knowledgeable advice which is great being a first-time mother.
My toddler has now come
on leaps and bounds and much of this has come from First Steps. Much to play with and do both inside and out.
Although I would like more use of the app so I can see what he's getting up to.
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.
01 March 2024
A wonderful nursery, my little one absolutely loves being here! We just started in Dec 2023 and the nursery operates a phased entry which was perfect for us both.
My little one adores the staff at First Steps and gets so excited when arriving for the day. The food is excellent, the range of toys
and activities keeps them so busy and helps them nap twice a day (something I thought would be impossible in nursery).
I love the app where I can see all the useful info for the day, what new food was on the menu and usually a little picture enjoying play time - it really helps me get through a day of work seeing how happy they are and it makes me feel much better about using a nursery.
We couldn’t recommend them enough and look forward to many years of pictures and crafts (and snacks!) from First Steps!
22 January 2024
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.
19 December 2023
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.
30 November 2023
My child attends the toddler section of First Steps Junior Academy. The staff here always go above and beyond in their duty of care.
The level of attention given to each individual child is incredible and has had a dramatic effect on my son's development.
The food each day is of very high quality
and we are always kept up to date with what was eaten and what was not via the daily log recorded in the parent app.
Alongside all this, the staff even find time to leave a personal update and photo of my son participating in one of the days' activities, the action shots are so cute and always a highlight of my day, like I am right there with him.
Overall I cannot recommend the staff enough and not just in November, this standard has been upheld since my son first attended the infant section in 2022.
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!
24 April 2023
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.
Latest Reviews for First Steps Junior Academy
20 April 2026
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
27 March 2026
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.
19 January 2026
My daughter has been attending first steps now for around 5 months, it was difficult for me to leave my child as she is my first but the girls at first steps couldn't have been better! They were so supportive of not only me but my daughter! They made us both feel so welcome and helped us relax into
this new routine.
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
02 January 2026
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
02 January 2026
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.
29 December 2025
We are always recommending First Steps to anyone who asks.
All of the staff are so friendly and caring and our children absolute love going to daycare.
The care and attention that the staff provide is clear every day and they're always able to give a thorough run down of our kids' days at pick
up.
It provides great reassurance knowing our kids are being so well looked after whenever we're at work.
26 February 2025
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.
21 February 2025
My daughter is going to First Steps Junior Academy for almost a year and she enjoys it very much that she asks to go back during the weekend.
As working parents, we are very glad to see our child is enjoying her nursery and we don't need to worry about her during our days.
First Steps helped so
much for our daughter's mental and physical growth in last year.
It was the best decision for us and our daughter to join First Steps.
Staff take pride in their work and help all the children to grow.
Keep doing good work.
Thank you.
21 February 2025
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
20 February 2025
My daughter was very nervous about starting nursery but the staff were so patient with her and helped her settle at her own pace.
She really loves going now and we can really see how much it is benefiting her speech and relationships with others.
Couldn't ask for a better nursery!
20 February 2025
My child has been at this nursery from toddlers to now attending after school and she loves it.
Great staff who go out of their way to look after each child's welfare.
Great communication and constant updates about what's going on in all the age groups.
Keep up the great work.
20 February 2025
First Steps in Portadown is First class.
My son has attended here since he was 1 and is now in P1 attending the after-school club. Each of the rooms he has been through is filled with wonderful staff, who really care about childcare and their development.
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!
20 February 2025
My son thrives in First Steps. The staff are excellent with him.
He is learning so much. His speech is coming along.
He is always so excited to go and has so much fun with all his friends.
The food is great and such a variety.
The facility is always so clean.
The manager is so friendly and
approachable.
19 June 2024
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.
06 March 2024
The nursery manager so welcoming and helpful when I was anxious at first whilst my baby was settling into the nursery.
Excellent service from all staff. Really listen to what you've got to say and also give me knowledgeable advice which is great being a first-time mother.
My toddler has now come
on leaps and bounds and much of this has come from First Steps. Much to play with and do both inside and out.
Although I would like more use of the app so I can see what he's getting up to.
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.
01 March 2024
A wonderful nursery, my little one absolutely loves being here! We just started in Dec 2023 and the nursery operates a phased entry which was perfect for us both.
My little one adores the staff at First Steps and gets so excited when arriving for the day. The food is excellent, the range of toys
and activities keeps them so busy and helps them nap twice a day (something I thought would be impossible in nursery).
I love the app where I can see all the useful info for the day, what new food was on the menu and usually a little picture enjoying play time - it really helps me get through a day of work seeing how happy they are and it makes me feel much better about using a nursery.
We couldn’t recommend them enough and look forward to many years of pictures and crafts (and snacks!) from First Steps!
22 January 2024
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.
19 December 2023
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.
30 November 2023
My child attends the toddler section of First Steps Junior Academy. The staff here always go above and beyond in their duty of care.
The level of attention given to each individual child is incredible and has had a dramatic effect on my son's development.
The food each day is of very high quality
and we are always kept up to date with what was eaten and what was not via the daily log recorded in the parent app.
Alongside all this, the staff even find time to leave a personal update and photo of my son participating in one of the days' activities, the action shots are so cute and always a highlight of my day, like I am right there with him.
Overall I cannot recommend the staff enough and not just in November, this standard has been upheld since my son first attended the infant section in 2022.
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!
24 April 2023
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.