Braintree

Step Start Braintree

Opened in 2020
Opening hours 7am — 6pm
All inclusive fees

John Ray House, CM7 9RW 01376 402001

Braintree

Opened in 2020
Opening hours 7am — 6pm
All inclusive fees

360 tour' inside

Play Guided Tour

Our Nursery

Exciting Exploration

Braintree was founded in 2020. The nursery is situated in a picturesque, historic building in Braintree. The rooms and outside area are large and encourage the children to explore new and exciting interests within a natural and inviting environment.

Natural Resources

Our nursery is filled with natural resources to allow children to explore with an open mind. The children will be able to select their own resources as they explore and will be encouraged to be creative whilst exploring the calming environment.

Outside Area

Our outside area is large and provides the children with many opportunities to explore, climb and let off some steam. From gardening to mud kitchen to building physical development skills, there is something for everyone.

Homely Environment

Our nursery has a homely feel to ensure that every child feels comfortable in their learning environment. We have used natural colours throughout, with rugs and natural furnishings to provide a calm feeling. This is important to us as many children spend a lot of their time at nursery, and it is important for them to feel comfortable and at home.

Exciting Exploration

We are very lucky to have a lovely surrounding neighbourhood with a local park and green areas. The children have opportunities to explore these on local walks along with visits to the local nursing home, church, tea rooms, high street and much more!

Large Open Rooms

Our rooms are open and airy, with an abundance of natural light. The creation of this space is important for us at Step Start as children learn better when they are settled and comfortable.

Tablets

The children are able to access educational games through apps installed on our tablets. This will enable the children to further develop their technological skills, alongside understanding how to navigate around an Android tablet, and use a touch screen during their day at nursery.

OUR ROOMS

Starting Steps

Age Group: 6 weeks — 1 year
Places: 6

This comforting and safe home from home learning experience has so much opportunity for children aged 6 weeks to around 1 year. Starting Steps is set on a flexible routine to incorporate as much as possible into your child’s day. The environment is very calming and everything is kept at lower levels in order to encourage the babies to begin moving around and exploring the different areas of learning around them.

Starting Steps Routine

7.00
Meet and Greet/Breakfast/Freeplay
8.50
Sensory Fun
9.10
Group Snack
9.30
Freeplay & Sensory Exploration
10.45
Outdoor Activities
11.15
Song & Story Time
11.30
Lunchtime
12.15
Sleep Time/Freeplay/Activities with awake children
2.00
Group Snack
2.45
Freeplay
3.30
Outdoor Activities
3.50
Back to Nursery/Freeplay /Observations
4.00
Tea Time
4.30
Story Time
4.40
Freeplay
7.00
Home Time

First Steps

Age Group: 1 year — 2 years
Places: 12

This room is focused on preparing the babies for the toddler room. Activities are more challenging, involving more intricate activities along with a wider range of physical development opportunities. We are just beginning to learn some independence skills. The children in this room have their own dedicated garden area to allow them to free flow between inside and outside, enabling them to develop their confidence and co-ordination skills.

First Steps Routine

7.00
Meet and Greet/Breakfast/Freeplay
8.50
Sensory Fun
9.00
Morning Stretch/Dance Flash Cards/Story
9.10
Rolling Snack
9.30
Freeplay & Focused Activities
10.30
Get ready for Outdoor Activities
10.45
Outdoor Activities & Planting Garden
11.15
Back to Nursery /Story Time
11.25
Washing Hands
11.30
Lunchtime
12.15
Sleep Time/Freeplay/Activities with awake children
2.00
Group Snack
2.45
Freeplay
3.15
Get ready for Outdoor Activities
3.30
Outdoor Activities & Planting Garden
3.50
Back to Nursery/Freeplay /Observations
4.00
Tea Time
4.30
Story Time
4.40
Freeplay
7.00
Home Time

Little Leaps

Age Group: 2 years — 3 years
Places: 20

The toddler room has a stimulating and creative environment set to inspire the little adventurer in your child. Providing the best opportunities to explore a range of activities set to challenge and spark new interests. We begin to grow further areas of development to prepare for important life skills and knowledge. Completing tasks such as self serving of food, washing hands, putting on shoes and toilet training is a key part of learning in Little Leaps.

Little Leaps Routine

7.00
Meet and Greet/Breakfast/Freeplay
8.50
Tidy Up Time
9.00
Morning Stretch/Dance
9.10
Rolling Snack
9.30
Freeplay & Focused Activities
10.30
Get ready for Outdoor Activities
10.45
Outdoor Activities
11.15
Back to Nursery /Story Time
11.25
Washing Hands
11.30
Lunchtime
12.00
Flash Cards/Phonics
12.15
Sleep Time/Freeplay/Activities with awake children
2.00
Rolling Snack
2.40
Learning Input
2.45
Freeplay
3.15
Get ready for Outdoor Activities
3.30
Outdoor Activities
3.50
Back to Nursery/Freeplay/Observations
4.00
Tea Time
4.30
Story Time
4.40
Freeplay
7.00
Home Time

Big Steps

Age Group: 3 years — 5 years
Places: 32

Big Steps provides a creative and educational environment where we concentrate on preparing for school, getting your child ready for their first big transition. The children will have regular circle times, and are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas, to enable their confidence to grow. The routine in preschool is created for the most effective learning, providing the perfect amount of time for exploring the outdoors and focused activities.

Big Steps

7.00
Meet and Greet/Breakfast/Freeplay
8.50
Tidy Up Time
9.00
Morning Stretch/Dance/Self Registration/Phonics/Story
9.10
Freeplay & Focused Activities
9.45
Rolling Snack
10.15
Get ready for Outdoor Activities
10.30
Outdoor Activities and Planting Garden
11.15
Back to Nursery /Story Time
11.25
Washing Hands
11.30
Lunchtime
12.00
Flash Cards/Phonics
12.15
Sleep Time/Freeplay/Activities with awake children
2.00
Rolling Snack
2.40
Learning Input
2.45
Freeplay
3.15
Get ready for Outdoor Activities
3.30
Outdoor Activities
3.50
Back to Nursery/Freeplay/Observations
4.00
Tea Time
4.30
Story Time
4.40
Freeplay
7.00
Home Time

Some of our favourite activities

EXTRA CURRICULAR

Lingotots

Lingotots make learning fun by teaching languages to children aged 0-11 years through singing, play, drama and storytelling. Their curriculum links to the EYFS and the course is split into fun topics. The skills are progressive on a weekly basis. At Step Start we have been learning Spanish and French!

Baby Ballet

We are excited to be teamed up with Christina Marks who leads amazing baby ballet sessions at nursery. This happens once per week and the children learn self confidence and co-ordination through music, play and song linking to the EYFS. This is very much for both girls and boys!

Multi Sports

We have paired up with a children's sport coach who provides progressive age-related activities for many sports. Each sport will be changed after six weeks and the children will learn new simple sports skills.

Our Menu

At Step Start, we are proud to offer high-quality, nutritious meals that children love. Our food is designed to be both delicious and developmentally appropriate, helping children build healthy habits while enjoying a wide range of tastes and textures. Menus are fully flexible and carefully planned to cater for children with a variety of allergies and intolerances.

We provide hot meals at both lunchtime and teatime, introducing children to new and exciting food experiences. Wherever possible, we support self-service, helping children learn about portion control and encouraging independence. Each day includes two healthy snacks, which can range from fresh fruit to items like naan bread. In addition, children take part in regulatr cooking activities, where they explore new ingredients and discuss healthy eating in a fun, hands-on way.