First Steps Nursery

Albury Road, Merstham, Redhill RH1 3LS
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9.3 51 Reviews
  • First Steps Nursery, Redhill
First Steps Nursery offers excellent care and education for babies, toddlers and preschooler’s from three months to five-year-olds in a fun, stimulating learning environment.

The nursery building has been specifically designed with children in mind, complete with a purpose-built preschool. They have four bright and modern age-specific play rooms and the nursery boasts a large outdoor area with plenty of outdoor space allowing the children lots of room to explore their outdoor learning environment.

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Care Provided by First Steps Nursery

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • First Step Nursery Ltd
  • Person in charge
  • Jacqui Tidey (Director)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 20
  • Total Places for Children
  • 60
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for First Steps Nursery

  • We offer 15 and 30 hours funding. We have a minimum of 2 days attendance.


    Please contact us for more information.


    Please contact the nursery for fees.
  • Parking

  • They have parent parking down their driveway at the rear of the nursery.


First Steps Nursery Reviews (51)

Total of 51, showing 21-40
9.3

First Steps Nursery has a Review Score of 9.3 (9.309) out of 10, based on 8 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time First Steps Nursery has 51 reviews.

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Review from Rosie (Mother of Child) published on 6 August 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both our children have attended First Steps; we have had a really positive experience overall. Both children have been happy, have developed and learned a lot and we have been very comfortable with the level of care they received. There is an emphasis on the children doing what they enjoy and activities
are crafted around that - one day the team built a pretend shoe shop overnight just so our daughter and her friends could play after a conversation the day before!
The staff are very knowledgeable and the manager is practical and hands-on, she gets to know the families and our values and works with us and her team to ensure these are met.

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Review from Robyn H (Mother of Child) published on 6 August 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic school with caring staff and happy children. My girls were always happy to go to school and loved the activities and outdoor play. My fussy eater started trying new food and this has been a huge step for her. I would recommend First Steps for their nurturing and professional staff who really
care about the children they are teaching.

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Review from Charlotte H (Mother of Child) published on 23 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started as a new starter at First Steps during the Covid pandemic. He settled so well and this was all down to the wonderful teachers. They looked after him, made a fuss of him and created some normality for children in this odd time. It made my life so much easier as I was very happy leaving
him there knowing he was well looked after. Could not recommend a better nursery and set of teachers.

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Review from Danielle B (Mother of Child) published on 23 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been going to First Steps since he was 10 months old and I can’t say enough good things about this nursery. He has the best time there and always has a big smile on his face when I pick him up. He often doesn’t want to come home as he’s having such a good time.
The staff are wonderful and
always easy to approach. The range of activities they do with the children is fantastic and they have regular outside time which I was very keen on when I was looking for a nursery. I particularly liked that the baby room has its own outdoor space too.
My son has learnt and developed so much since joining and he’s made wonderful friends. I will be very sad when he has to leave before he starts school.

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Review from Jo T (Mother of Child) published on 20 July 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been coming to this nursery for just under a year now. She absolutely loves it there. I am always delighted to see what she has made that day and also see her playing in the outside space. As a parent, it's always hard to give your child to someone else to look after but First Steps
have made this so easy for me. The nursery is like another family. It's clean, she has a dedicated carer but has interactions with lots of the other staff, the food is nutritious and well thought out. My daughter has really developed whilst going to nursery and her confidence has built. I love that she is learning something new each week and the nursery will teach the children all current things that are happening in the diary such as Easter, Diwali, Mothers day, World book day etc. I love this nursery as is the perfect fit for us. The staff are friendly and keep you well informed of what your child has achieved that day. I would recommend to any other parents looking for a good fit.

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Review from Lynsey (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My son very much enjoys his time at the nursery. All the staff are great and have really looked after my son. They do lots of activities and engage with the children.

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Review from Karen L (Mother of Child) published on 11 February 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child is in the nursery room. The staff are lovely and my child is very fond of them all. All the staff genuinely care about the children. My child is coming on leaps and bounds and I'm grateful to the staff in the nursery room for caring about and encouraging my child.

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Review from Samantha (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2018
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I have found First Steps Nursery to be very warm and friendly! The staff are brilliant with the children and my little girl, who has been here for around 3 months, quickly settled in. I can now leave her with no worries at all and she really enjoys the stimulation and interaction she’s gets with all
the other children!

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Review from Shellan T (Mother of Child) published on 15 August 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My son has settled incredibly well into his new nursery environment, he is a happy and confident child, he always says he's had lots of fun at nursery with his friends.
The nursery teachers are caring but firm and really understand each family situation and adapt to this as best they can.

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Review from Aleksandra W (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

I really like the team in First Steps Nursery. They are very friendly and I can see all of the ladies have good qualifications. My baby is always happy when I come to take him home. I was surprised that one of the team members wanted to learn and knows some words in my national language which is Polish
- it so nice to hear it and I was so impressed.

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Review from Raina F (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What can I say... I am amazed at how quickly my son had settled, I wish this would have been the 1st nursery I tried!
ALL the staff are super friendly, helpful and compassionate about the children they look after. Any queries or issues (not that there are any) they get solved straight away! I don't
have to worry about my son at all, he's come on leaps and bounds since being here, I absolutely LOVE this nursery!
I recommend and praise this nursery to anyone that will listen!
The little park trips they do my son loves! The little shopping trips he loves also!
The food he obviously enjoys as it's EVERYWHERE on his top, so it must have been yummy!
He really enjoys the outdoor play set and he's made so many new friends!!
I love it!! My son loves it and we are all happy!!!
Thank you so much for everything you all do for my son!

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Review from Darryl M (Father of Child) published on 27 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are delighted with First Steps nursery since our son started in April. He enjoys going every day and comes home full of tales of what he's been up to with new words and phrases every time!


I would highly recommend First Steps to anyone.


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Review from Kate D (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

First steps have been very welcoming and have made my transition back to work and leaving my one-year old that much easier.
They are always happy and smiley at drop off and pick up, and are more than happy to talk about how my daughter is settling if I call during the day.
My daughter seems to
enjoy her time in the baby room, playing with her carers and baby friends.
They do lots of fun activities and help celebrate birthdays and special events.
The online learning portal is great to access to see what she has been up to during the day and seeing her development over the months.

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Review from S H (Mother of Child) published on 27 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First Steps Nursery is a lovely nursery for children to attend. The children are well looked after by caring and kind staff (there doesn't seem to be a high turnover of staff either, so there is consistency in key workers and who the children see day to day) and the team plan lots of varied, educational
and fun activities throughout each day. The outside space is excellent, and so are the facilities and toy selections inside the rooms. Highlights for my son include having the zoo come to visit and having chicks hatching in the nursery room, and water play outside on sunny days.
My son loves coming to nursery, and we love it too.

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Review from Timothy A (Father of Child) published on 6 June 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First Steps Nursery in Merstham are a great bunch. We have no issues, they offer full support and care. We would highly recommend First Steps Nursery to everyone. .

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Review from B (Father of Child) published on 10 March 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very happy with First Steps Nursery in every aspect. We put our child in in January 2016 full time first and then part time when my wife changed her working hours. The nursery has been very helpful in accommodating the change of days.
We can see the owners do their best to improve and renovate
the nursery.

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Review from Nicola (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery is very good. My child is in the baby room and I feel the care in this room is exceptional taking into consideration the individual needs of each child. The nursery now offers e-learning which allows parents and careers to communicate much more easily.

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Review from Maria (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Lovely nursery facilities, recently refurbished to a good standard.
Baby room has a sleeping area equipped with individual cots. Truly amazing staff, very caring.
Welcoming atmosphere.
My kids love it and I highly recommend it.

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Review from Jana (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery is very clean but I wished it is not the staff (teachers) who have to do the cleaning. This should happen after all staff and kids are gone and not when there are still children around.

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Review from J C (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 3.0 out of 5

The staff who look after the children are great and the kids are happy there. That is the reason they are still there; the management at the nursery I think is an issue. Communication with parents is seriously lacking. At the time of a lot of staff turnover, there was no explanation or reassurance given
to parents. All email communication from the owner is curt and the impression is that she is more concerned about money than the children. We also feel that the children are given too many sweets and sugary.

Reply from Jacqui, Director at First Steps Nursery

Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. After your meeting, I am confident that we have addressed any communication difficulties and that you have confirmed you are now more than happy with the nursery overall.


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Current Review Score: 9.3 (9.309)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.3 (9.309) out of 10 for First Steps Nursery is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 8 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.5 out of 5 from 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.842 for First Steps Nursery is calculated as follows: ( (81 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 95 Ratings = 4.842

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.467 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for First Steps Nursery is based on 8 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 3.8

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 60 number of registered child places is 12. 8 Positive Reviews ÷ 12 = 0.667

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

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Meet the Team (2)

Ashleigh

Ashleigh

Job Title: Manager

Joined: 2022

I joined First Steps in 2022. I enjoy my job immensely and no two days are the same; I look forward to seeing the children engaged and motivated in their daily activities. I feel proud to be part of their learning journey and rewarded by seeing them achieve their full potential


Alice

Alice

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2015

I am Alice the deputy manager, I started working at First Steps in 2015 as an Early Years Practitioner. Over the years I have worked my way up to room leader and now deputy manager. I can't wait to see what each day brings and what amazing learning experiences we can have.


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