We pride ourselves on being a friendly, community run nursery where we get to know our families well, and do our very best to respond to their needs.
Our focus

• Provide good quality, affordable childcare and early learning for children and their families
• Give each child the opportunity to learn, grow and develop in a safe, happy and caring environment where individuals from different backgrounds are welcomed and valued
• Encourage partnership with parents to enhance the care and early learning opportunities of each child
• Provide fun and friendship for children and the adults concerned with their care.

Learning Philosophy
Our philosophy is based on learning through play.



Becoming confident and independent, making friendships, finding out how to play and co-operate with others, developing a willingness to experiment and positive attitudes to learning are just some of the things that your child can gain from time in nursery or pre-school – all valuable skills for life and when they start primary school.

We offer continuous provision of a broad and changing range of indoor and outdoor activities to encourage the overall development of your child. Our large, well equipped playroom gives children the chance to enjoy a wide variety of experiences and challenges including: imaginative and role play, art, craft cooking and sensory play activities, construction toys, play dough, sand and water play, singing and music, an indoor climbing frame and slide, balance beams and gym mats, tricycles, push-along and scooters.

Outdoor Play
Most children love to play outside and we encourage this regardless of the weather.
"There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing".
We are lucky to have doors leading straight from the playroom out to our lovely woodland garden, complete with an old pine tree for shade, plus a good range of outdoor activities and equipment including a shaded sand pit. Special events and visitors provide further interest, variety and learning opportunities.

Be Involved
It is most important that parents feel they are welcome to stay to settle their child into their initial sessions. We strongly believe that parents and staff are joint partners in the development and care of our children, and we value any contribution you may be able to offer our group. Maybe you have a particular skill or talent you could share with us such as playing an instrument or telling stories. Perhaps you would like to take an active role on the committee – a very worthwhile commitment. You may like to join in one of our sessions to see what goes on, so that you can share the experiences with your child. We would be delighted to have you.

We are open all day, Monday to Friday 8.00 - 6.00pm during term time and reduced day of 9.00- 3.00pm  during holiday clubs.
We offer flexible hours - Please call us to discuss in more detail.
We do not work on a 'session' basis. You can book the hours you require to suit you and your child. We charge the following hourly rates:

• £5.85 per hour for 3-4 year olds
• £6.45 per hour - 2 year olds
• £7.85 per hour - under 2 year olds

We follow the Hampshire school terms dates as much as possible, and are open for extended hours to offer our parents more flexible start and finish times.

As of April 2024 we will be introducing a sustainability fee of £2 per child per day. The sustainability fee will contribute towards:

• Resourcing the nursery
• A selection of fruit and well-balanced snacks
• Cooking ingredients
• Sensory play materials
• Arts & Crafts materials
• Staff training
• Staff recruitment
• Increases in the utility bills
• Maintenance of our outdoor space.

This will be sent via invoice at the end of each month.

Snack Times
We provide all children with a morning and afternoon snack, this consists of a variety of fresh fruit and savoury snacks. Children will also be offered water or milk although water is available throughout the day.


Lunch Times
We see lunch time as a great way for children to sit together, interact, socialize, and learn from the experience to support them for when they start school. As a parent you will be asked to supply a packed lunch, in a named lunch bag on a daily basis. We will supply a drink of either water or milk. At Stepping Stones we follow a healthy eating regime for our snack bar and would like this to continue during our lunch time, so please make sure the lunch contains healthy foods your child enjoys and would normally eat.

Arrival / Departure
Parents or guardians remain responsible for their children up until the start of the session. We pay particular attention to the children’s safety on leaving at the end of the session. Our doors remain locked at all times and a member of staff is on duty to ensure each child leaves safely. Our care of the children ends outside door so please supervise your children on leaving, particularly as you cross the car park area.

Wet Weather
Please could we remind parents to bring a named set of wellies in for your child. On damp or wet weather days we do still try and get outside to enjoy the garden!

Absences
Should your child become ill and not able to attend their session please let us know by telephoning us by 9.30am. Our phone number is 01425-673135 / 07724 876456. Please keep children at home until they are completely recovered (a minimum of 48 hours for vomiting/diarrhoea). Illness spreads very quickly especially between children in this age group. For more information see our illness policy.
Please let us know in advance if your child will be missing future sessions due to a family holiday so this can be recorded on the registers.

Admissions
Please inquire about putting your child’s name on our waiting list, which you can do from birth onwards.

Funding
Some two, and all three and four year olds are entitled to free part-time early years education (EYE).
After your child's second birthday you can apply for up to 15 hours funding subject to meeting Hampshire County Council criteria, please contact us for details.
3-4 years Universal entitlement (15 hours childcare) After your child’s third birthday, they are entitled to receive Early Years Education (EYE) Funding from the start of the following term. This entitles your child to 15 free hours (570 hours) childcare per week, to a maximum of 38 weeks per year. Sessions can also be shared between two different childcare providers.
On top of the ‘universal’ entitlement of 570 hours of free early years education (which is available to all children), working parents of children aged 3 and 4 may also be able to benefit from an additional (‘extended’) 570 hours from 1 September 2017. (Parents can now apply using the Government’s online childcare service. If you need help with the Government’s Childcare Service online application contact their helpline on 0300 123 4097).
In order to secure funding you will be asked to complete a ‘Parent Declaration’ form at the beginning of each term which we will supply to you.

Session Fees
For those children who are not entitled to funded places or choose not to use funding at Stepping Stones, our fees are payable monthly. We are subscribed to the Tax Free Childcare scheme.

Spare Clothing
Please provide a named, spare set of weather appropriate clothing when your child attends their session.

Pre School Uniform
We now have a nursery uniform for our children to purchase. Uniform is available in sizes age 2-3 or 4-5. It is not mandatory to wear uniform.
Red Polo Shirts £8.00 each
Red Sweat Shirts £10.00 each
Red T-shirts £6.00 each

School Photos
Nursery photos are taken once a year by professional photographers.

Our Policies
All policies can be viewed at any time at the nursery. The Policy book is in the hallway or please ask the staff.