Parent Link
We are so excited for Oscar’s journey at Step Start!
Please find all the information required on this page for your journey to start at Step Start
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Your Nursery
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Book a Tour
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Fee Calculator
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Registration Form
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Articles & FAQs
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Funding Guide
Nursery Fees Calculator
Our fee calculator gives you an estimate of your nursery costs, taking funding into account, so you can plan ahead with clarity.
Age of Child (When Starting)
Enter the date you want to start
Please select your preferred number of days
Minimum attendance is two days per week.Children eligible for Universal 15 hours or Two Year Old Funding may attend for one day.If this applies to you, please contact us at enrolments@stepstart.co.uk
Would you like to use government funded hours?
Are you entitled to any funding
We're proud to offer Early Years Funding for eligible children aged 9 months and above, If you'd like more information, please request a funding guide by selecting 'Not sure, help' below.
Funding eligibility begins the term after your child's corresponding birthday for example, your child will be eligible for 2 year funding the term after they turn 2. Please note 15 hour funding is not available for children aged 9-23 months.
£0
Your estimated saving when using funded hours
When you use government funding at Step Start, we apply this to our standard fees to reduce your overall cost. The amount shown reflects the estimated saving based on your selected attendance and funding eligibility.
51 weeks
Your child’s place at Step Start runs for 51 weeks of the year
How your funded hours are spread across the year
January
December
Spring Term
11 Weeks of 0 Hours
0 hours
Summer Term
13 Weeks of 0 Hours
0 hours
Autumn Term
14 Weeks of 0 Hours
0 hours
Total Funded Hours Per Year: 0
Average funded hours per week across 51 weeks: 0
What’s included in your funded hours
Funded hours at Step Start support your child’s early education and care in line with government guidance. During funded sessions, children continue to enjoy the same nurturing environments, learning resources and high quality care as every child attending our nurseries.
Early education and care
Your child’s funded hours include high-quality early education and care, delivered by qualified practitioners in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Access to learning environments
Children have full access to their nursery room, outdoor spaces and all age-appropriate learning environments during their funded sessions.
Learning resources and activities
Funded hours include the use of all core learning resources, toys and play-based activities that support children’s development, curiosity and confidence.
Care routines and support
Everyday care routines are included within funded hours, such as settling support, nappy changing, toileting and emotional wellbeing support appropriate to your child’s age.
What’s NOT included in your funded hours
Funded hours support your child’s early education and care. Alongside this, we also offer a range of additional services that form part of the nursery day and help support family routines. These sit outside funded hours and are outlined below so you can clearly see what’s included. All services are provided in line with our Admissions Policy.
Meals and snacks
We provide a nutritious daily menu including breakfast, a hot lunch with dessert, a hot tea and two snacks, along with drinks throughout the day. All meals are thoughtfully planned to support children’s health and wellbeing and to encourage positive attitudes towards food. Meals and snacks are provided alongside funded hours and are not included within the funding entitlement.
Consumables and personal care items
Consumable items such as nappies, wipes, creams and other personal care products for older children are not included within funded hours and are provided separately to support children’s individual care needs.
Enrichment experiences and programmes
Enrichment experiences, including extra-curricular sessions such as yoga, dance, cooking and language discovery, are offered alongside funded hours. Our school readiness and phonics programmes, nursery trips, visitor events, cultural celebrations and all associated resources and materials are also provided outside of funded hours.
Extended hours
Extended hours are available beyond funded sessions, giving children the opportunity to spend more time in their nursery day. This time is designed to feel settled and unhurried, supporting continuity of care and a smooth start and end to the day.
What they eat
Nourishing Little Appetites
At Step Start, we believe mealtimes are about more than food. They are moments to slow down, build independence and develop positive relationships with eating from the very beginning.We work in partnership with The Little Deli, a trusted local provider known for freshly prepared, wholesome meals made using quality ingredients. Their menus are thoughtfully designed for nursery aged children, supporting healthy growth while introducing a wide variety of flavours and textures in an age appropriate way.
Meals are carefully planned to meet children’s nutritional needs and can be adapted to accommodate allergies, dietary requirements and individual preferences. This ensures every child feels included, safe and confident at mealtimes.Because nourishing children isn’t just about what’s on the plate, but how they experience it.
Extra-Curricular Experiences
Alongside our everyday provision, we offer a number of optional extra-curricular experiences designed to enrich children’s learning in fun and meaningful ways. These sessions add variety to the week and support children’s confidence, movement and creativity through specialist-led activities.
Our extra-curricular experiences are carefully chosen to complement our curriculum and reflect children’s interests. Sessions may include physical activities, creative experiences or enrichment opportunities led by trusted external providers or trained members of our team.These experiences are designed to feel playful, inclusive and age-appropriate, allowing children to take part in something a little different while still feeling safe and supported in familiar surroundings.
One Childhood, Thoughtfully Cared For
Nursery is about more than learning. It’s about feeling safe, supported and understood every day. At Step Start, your child’s health, care and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. We take the time to understand each child as an individual, working closely with families to support routines, wellbeing and any specific care needs. Where appropriate, we work alongside families and external professionals, following agreed care plans and guidance so children receive consistent, thoughtful support while remaining fully included in nursery life. By creating calm, nurturing environments and building strong relationships, we help children feel settled, cared for and ready to learn.
Your Fee
Here’s a breakdown of your fees calculated based on your selection and your funded hours.
Customise Plan
Funding
No of days
*Includes a % full-time discount
If you need any help or wish to discuss your options please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Call
01277 402001Your Fees
All of the fees shown are based on our standard plans, we do have further options available, feel free to reach out to our admissions team for more information.
Daily Fee*
£30.00
Billed monthly at £0
includes an annual saving of £0
Includes your funded entitlement plus:
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All meals and drinks – breakfast, hot lunch, dessert, hot tea, two snacks, drinks and dietary alternatives
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Children take part in a wide range of enriching experiences, including nursery trips, cultural celebrations and extra-curricular sessions such as yoga, dance, cooking and language discovery. Our school readiness and phonics programmes are fully included, along with all resources and materials, and we also welcome families to join us for parent evenings and stay-and-play events throughout the year.
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All daily consumables including hygiene and self-care resources, nappies, baby wipes, nappy bags, creams, tissues, sun cream, bedding laundering, and disposable items used in hygiene and self-care routines.
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Extended time in the day beyond the funded only time
Notes:
*These fees reflect our standard nursery rates. If you would like to discuss your circumstances or explore any available options, please contact us at parents@stepstart.co.uk. Our Admissions Policy, including the full schedule of fees, can be found here.
Recommended Application Date:
Last Date for Applying:
Total Monthly Fee:
Registration Form
Learning & Development
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Funding Guide
Understanding nursery funding can feel confusing, and we’re here to help. Our guide to funding explains the different types of funding available, how they work at Step Start, and what to expect when planning your child’s nursery place. If you have any questions along the way, please contact us at parents@stepstart.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.