Frequently Asked Questions

Every child at Step Start is assigned a key person - a dedicated staff member who provides consistent care, comfort and connection. We let children lead the way during settling-in sessions, observing who they naturally bond with, so the relationship starts with genuine trust. This key person supports your child’s emotional wellbeing, tracks their development, and tailors activities to their interests. They’re also your main point of contact, helping you stay connected to your child’s nursery journey.

We use the Famly app, a secure and easy-to-use platform where you’ll receive daily updates, photos, and information about your child’s meals, naps, nappy changes, and learning activities. It’s a great way to stay connected and involved in your child’s day.

At Step Start, we’re committed to inclusion and celebrating every child’s individuality. Each nursery has a trained SENCo who works closely with families, staff and outside professionals to create personalised plans that support your child’s development. We differentiate learning from day one, offer tailored support for transitions and school readiness, and can assist with the diagnostic process if needed. Children also learn and use Makaton daily to support early communication, and many of our nurseries have sensory rooms with calming experiences like yoga and light play. Whatever your child’s needs, we’re here to walk the journey with you.

Your child’s safety and wellbeing is our top priority. We work closely with our trusted food supplier, who provides a wide variety of meal options that allows us to tailor menus for children with allergies, intolerances, or specific dietary requirements. When you join Step Start, we’ll ask for detailed information about any allergies during your enrolment. This allows us to put the right protocols in place.

Absolutely. We know how important a smooth transition is, both for you and your child. Our settling-in process is designed to gently introduce your little one to nursery life, helping them feel safe, secure and excited about their new environment. We aim to book your child’s settle sessions as close to their start date as possible, so the environment and people remain fresh in their mind - making that first full day feel familiar and comforting. We offer 3 settle sessions; Session 1 - 30 minutes with you present. Session 2 - 1.5 hours with gradual separation. Session 3 - 3 hours including a mealtime.

Once your payment has been processed, a member of our enrolment team will confirm whether your space is secured or if you’ve been placed on our waiting list. Around 8 weeks before your child’s start date (or sooner if you’re joining us earlier), we’ll send you an enrolment form to complete with key details about your child and family. This helps us prepare for your little one’s arrival and ensure everything is in place for a smooth start.

Yes, you can request to increase or adjust your child’s sessions at any time. We do require a month’s notice if possible, and we will always do our best to accommodate your needs, subject to availability at the nursery. Just email the enrolment team to discuss your options.

Yes, if you're booking a paid nursery place, a refundable deposit of £80 per day is required to secure your sessions. This will be credited against your first invoice. There is also an optional one-time £99 uniform pack available, which many families choose to purchase. While not compulsory, especially for those taking up a fully funded-only place, the uniform can make mornings easier and helps children feel part of the Step Start community.

Your monthly fee at Step Start covers everything your child needs for a full and enriching nursery experience, with no hidden extras. This includes:

• Breakfast, hot lunch and tea with healthy snacks.
• Nappies, wipes and sudocream.
• Access to our Famly app with daily updates from your child’s key person.
• Personalised learning journeys and phonics sessions
• Our school readiness programme
• A range of extracurricular activities
• Trips, outings and visitor events
• Celebrations, stay and play sessions, and parents evenings.
  Choosing Step Start means more than just childcare - it means giving your child a nurturing environment filled with opportunities to grow, explore and shine!

Yes, we offer 15 and 30 hour funded places for eligible families. At Step Start, we “stretch” your funding over 51 weeks of the year so that your support is consistent each month, helping you avoid higher payments during school holidays. This means instead of receiving the full hours during term time only, your child receives a reduced number of hours each week, spread evenly across the year. It’s a practical way to manage costs and keep your child’s routine steady. 👉 Click here to view our Funding Guide - it explains exactly how funding works across the year, how it affects your invoices, and includes a breakdown of what your monthly fees cover, including consumables and meals.

Our usual minimum attendance is 2 full days per week. However, for families accessing a universal 15-hour funded place only, we are able to offer a minimum of 1 full day per week. We don’t currently offer half-day sessions, but families are welcome to drop off and pick up at any time during our opening hours. We’re open all year round for 51 weeks of the year, from 7am–6pm (7:30am–6pm at our Ongar setting).

We don’t currently offer half-day or term-time only places at Step Start. Our approach is focused on providing consistent, full-day care throughout the year, which we’ve found offers children the best opportunity to settle, thrive, and build strong relationships with their key person and peers.