Stepping Stones

In June 2025, tweezers, coloured pasta and dinosaurs with toothbrushes gave Stepping Stones a practical, playful character. Small tasks mattered: handling objects, preparing snacks and managing shoes turned everyday routines into opportunities to practise independence.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its 5 June 2025 inspection and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective. Stepping Stones has 24 places in total, at 48 Wheeler Street, Maidstone, ME14 1UA; children attending in June 2025 were aged 2 to 4.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning and care: play and daily routines build language, movement, mathematical understanding and independence. In June 2025, counting accompanied everyday activities, while conversations about position, quantities and size brought mathematical ideas into children's play.

Physical activity covered both larger movements and precise hand control. In June 2025, children used balancing activities and equipment to exercise their bodies, then practised picking up rice and pasta with tweezers. These are different kinds of practice, giving children opportunities to work on coordination at different scales.

Books were accessible across play areas in June 2025, and shared stories invited children to participate. Adults followed children's interests in conversation, highlighted useful words and paused for responses. That pause gave children room to contribute rather than simply listen.

At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children needing SEND support made good progress, with staff arranging referrals and coordinating approaches with families and outside professionals.

In June 2025, each child had a key person, providing a consistent adult relationship and support matched to their development. Staff took time over getting to know newcomers and offered reassurance; adults also demonstrated considerate behaviour and encouraged children to persevere with tasks.

Health learning was tangible in June 2025: children practised brushing model dinosaurs' teeth, and snack conversations explored healthy food choices. Communication with families included children's learning and support around starting nursery and later moving to school.

The address is 48 Wheeler Street, Maidstone, ME14 1UA. In June 2025, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on weekdays, during term time.

At that time, the nursery received funding for early education for children aged 2, 3 and 4. This establishes its participation at that date, rather than a particular family's entitlement or attendance arrangement.

• Developing teaching. The June 2025 findings called for more purposeful staff development linked to teaching and curriculum planning. Families should weigh that development priority alongside the Good judgement.
• Understanding difference. In June 2025, learning did not consistently help children explore their individual identities and differences. This matters for families seeking explicit attention to how children understand themselves and others.
• Term-time fit. In June 2025, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. At a visit, what attendance and funded-hours arrangement would fit your family's routine now?

Stepping Stones suits families drawn to practical play, everyday independence and consistent adult relationships. Its June 2025 opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The Good judgement carries weight, but the priorities around staff development and children's understanding of difference deserve attention too.