Early Steps Day Nursery
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in London for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in August 2021, though that is 5 years ago now. Open since 2013, with 36 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Southwark
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Southwark 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
SE17 3LZWhat 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, 17 August 2021 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children eagerly start their day at the nursery. They are warmly greeted by staff who take time to find out how they are. Staff support babies extremely well to extend their physical development. They use their expert knowledge well, for example making sure babies have supportive equipment to gain confidence with their new found walking skills. Staff support other children in learning how to use the climbing frames safely to slide down. This helps children to develop new skills and promotes their learning and development. Staff are consistent in their approach to behaviour management. Staff remind children to use their words as they play, supporting their language development and their behaviour. They work well in partnership with parents to support children's behaviour. Children behave exceptionally well. Staff remind children the importance of their own hygiene, helping them to learn about their own health and well-being. Meal times are social occasions. Staff sit with children talking about their day and what they are eating.
This helps to support children's language and social skills.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to provide more challenge to older children to enhance their learning and development n ensure staff give children time to naturally finish activities and to value more the creations they make.
- 17 August 2021Good
- 4 October 2016Good
- 25 November 2015Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Early Steps Day Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- 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
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? 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.