Alpha Steps Nursery
GoodTakes funded hoursBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in London for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They take the funded hours. They do not publish prices, so ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in September 2024. Open since 2008, with 50 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
Funded hours
15 hours free education and childcare for children over 2 years old for families on certain benefits, and also children with an EHC, who get DLA, or children who are looked after by the LA (and some children who have previously been looked after). Funding is available the term after the child turns 2 years. 15 hours free education and childcare for children over 9 months and 2 year olds, where par.
Worth knowing. The Nursery offers five FEEE over 38 weeks per year. (LBWF School Term time only) (Academic year minus 5 inset days) We offer various models of delivery where children are able to take up their free entitlement as part of continuous provision; Those taking up their free 2-year FEEE (up to 570 hrs per annum only). As part of a contract for additional hours. Those taking up their free 3 & 4-year-old Universal FEEE only (of up to 570 hours per annum only). As part of a contract for additional hours.
What childcare usually costs in Waltham Forest
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Waltham Forest from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
E17 3JJWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 9 September 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happy and eager to start their day, as they are greeted by caring and friendly staff. As the new term begins, all children, including young babies, settle easily and leave their parents and carers smiling and feeling secure. The setting's routines and expectations are understood by the children, who listen to staff and are well behaved. Staff reward good behaviour with stickers, which children proudly show off. Staff reinforce behaviour rules with children as they talk about the golden rules. Leaders and staff have devised an exciting and stimulating curriculum that encourages children to want to play and learn. Staff know the children well and plan effectively for their next steps in learning and development.
Children make good progress from their starting points.
Staff plan for babies to develop their independence skills as they offer them plenty of opportunities to move freely. Babies develop their confidence as they try new activities such as climbing soft furniture and standing at the water tray splashing water. During circle time, toddlers build friendships and develop their communication skills as staff support them to express how they are feeling. Older children enjoy discussions around the table at lunchtime. They share stories about their families and birthday celebrations.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- allow children time to consolidate their thinking during activities before asking them more questions to help support their learning even further.
- 9 September 2024Good
- 12 October 2023Needs improvement
- 5 June 2019Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Alpha Steps Nursery
- What it costs
- Youngest age taken
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
Some of this is above, from the setting or from parents, and it can go out of date. The rest is in no dataset anywhere. Either way it is worth ten minutes on the phone.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- How do you apply my funded hours? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.