Stepping Stones Playgroup
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Bexhill-On-Sea for children from birth to 5, open 09:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2022. Open since 1987, with 26 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 East Sussex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in East Sussex 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
TN40 1REWhat 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 November 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The playgroup offers a very welcoming, inclusive and homely environment for all children. All families' unique qualities are valued and respected. There is especially good provision for children who are learning English as an additional language, and those who need extra support with their learning. Staff use funding well to make sure teaching is carefully matched to what every child needs. All children make good progress in their learning and development from their individual starting points.
Children are happy and enjoy their time at playgroup. Those who need extra time in settling in are supported to do so. Children behave well. Staff teach children about the impact of their actions on others. They help children to recognise different feelings and emotions. Good strategies are used to enable children to resolve their own simple disputes. For example, children use sand timers while they wait for their turn to share favourite resources.
Staff are ambitious for every child. They equip children well with the skills they need for starting school. For example, the daily routine enables children to become independent, and confident to make their own choices. Children work out solutions to simple problems and learn how to respect each other's similarities and differences.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- ensure teaching is consistently good, particularly when using the sports hall, by planning activities which are purposeful, meaningful and offer children relevant challenge.
- 17 November 2022Good
- 7 December 2016Good
- 19 September 2012Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Stepping Stones Playgroup
- 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.