First Steps Day Nursery

75 Oakdale Road, Oakdale, Poole BH15 3LD
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50 Reviews
First Steps Nursery in Poole provides high quality care and education for children aged 3 months and over in 4 different groups; Teddy-bears for the youngest children, Sunshine's for toddlers and Little Steps and Big Steps the 2 pre-schools as well as the popular holiday club. In addition to their all year round Pre-school, they have flexible term time only sessions available on request. First Steps Nursery is bright and welcoming with large murals painted on the walls.

First Steps have a fantastic team of qualified nursery practitioners who strive to create a bright, safe, secure and stimulating environment for the children in their care enabling them to reach their full potential and ensure their readiness for their next steps to "big" school.
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Care Provided by First Steps Day Nursery

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

Good to Know

  • Owner
  • First Steps Childcare Services Ltd
  • Person in charge
  • Lauren Cook (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 26
  • Total Places for Children
  • 91
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 2 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:15-18:15
    Tuesday 07:15-18:15
    Wednesday 07:15-18:15
    Thursday 07:15-18:15
    Friday 07:15-18:15
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for First Steps Day Nursery

  • Per session from £36.38
    Per day from £61.79

  • Fees are calculated over the full year and divided into 12 equal monthly payments based on the number of days/sessions your child attends. Fees are inclusive of all meals, drinks, snacks and nappies/wipes where applicable.

First Steps Day Nursery Reviews (50)

Total of 50, showing 1-20

Over all time First Steps Day Nursery has 50 reviews.

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Review from Rick G (Father of Child) published on 14 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my children have attended first steps and love it. Very happy with the staff, cleanliness, education and fun the kids have had and continue to have. I would highly recommend to any parent. The staff are great at any time, especially drop offs early in the morning.

Reply from CAROLINE MARKS, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for your lovely review, we are so pleased that your children love First Steps and you have such a positive early morning drop off.


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Review from S P (Mother of Child) published on 29 March 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The team are very kind and helpful. The support they provide to progress my child's development is fantastic, making every step flow forwards seamlessly.

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Review from Sharna M (Mother of Child) published on 24 March 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are very pleased with the level of care our children have received. All the staff have been fantastic, caring and friendly. Both my girls warmed very quickly here and go skipping in on their nursery days. I have full confidence in them when I leave. A great learning environment.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us a review and we are really pleased that your girls are happy in our great learning environment.


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Review from A H (Mother of Child) published on 8 March 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending this nursery five days a week since the age of nine months and he is now nearly three. I can count on only one hand the times he has been unwilling to go in with a smile, it is a testament to all the staff's great work! When I leave him there I know he is safe, well-fed, stimulated
and supported with his development. Definitely happiness all round!

Reply from Mike Marks, Operations Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for your honest appraisal of our business. We really appreciate the feedback.


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Review from V F (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Wonderful nursery with amazing, experienced and caring staff. They provide a fantastic service encouraging the children's development in lots of fun ways. Our son loves going in each day, and as parents, we love hearing all the different experiences he has from day to day.

Reply from CAROLINE MARKS, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for leaving us such a positive review and we are so pleased that your son enjoys his time at First Steps.


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Review from Katy O (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our boy has been going to First Steps since he was one and I cannot recommend them enough. Our boy is kind, caring and enjoys playing with his friends. Our child is able to experience an array of different activities and at the same time learn through play. They have a great outdoor area with all sorts
of different activities to give all children the chance to experience everything. We are delighted that our child has had a great first few years at First Steps and has a great foundation read to start school. We cannot thank all of the staff enough for their time and effort they put in with our child. You can see they really care about their development and above all want all children to enjoy their time at First Steps.

Reply from CAROLINE MARKS, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a positve review, we are so happy that your son has enjoyed his time at First Steps.


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Review from V M (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2021
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First Steps is a wonderful nursery. My daughter has been attending since before she was a year old and will be turning four in October. The communication from staff, managers and the owns is always very transparent. We love seeing photos of our daughter regularly on their social media platforms and
all children are always happy and engaged in meaningful activity. All staff have the children's best interests at heart and my daughter absolutely loves attending First Steps. They have always been fantastic with my daughter's allergies and ensure everything she eats and plays with is safe for her. I would highly recommend them to anyone I know.

Reply from CAROLINE MARKS, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for your lovely review, it really means so much to us and the team to have such positive feedback.


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Review from Hannah R (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My children have both attended this preschool and I don’t know what I would have done without the help and support of the amazing team there. My daughter is now 11 and I really believe her start in life at this nursery and preschool added to how brilliant she is. My now 4-year-old is currently there
and is so happy going 4 days a week. The nursery offers something very special to a child’s life and I for one, cannot recommend the team here more. Thank you First Steps, take a bow.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a glowing review, it really means a lot and we appreciate the wonderful feedback.


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Review from Emma M (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of our children have attended First Steps since just before their first birthdays and they love it. I don’t want their time there to finish. Our 3-year-old attends the pre-school room (with wrap around hours) and our 5-year-old attends breakfast clubs and holiday clubs. The staff are the perfect
level of professional and caring. They have fun and aren’t afraid to be silly with the kids. They are so supportive of ‘tricky’ stages, toilet training and bottom wiping training. And very importantly for me as a mummy, they are never short on time to chat with you and fill you in on what your little monkeys have been up to. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend First Steps to anyone.

Reply from CAROLINE MARKS, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a glowing review - it really does mean such a lot to both us as owners and the team that they are doing a great job.


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Review from Keely S (Mother of Child) published on 21 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl absolutely loves her time at First Steps, she started during the pandemic and they have all been nothing but amazing. She runs in every morning without even looking back, regular updates on the learning journal through the week gives you the reassurance that a mother needs that she’s
happy and loving her time. I was nervous about putting her into nursery and having “strangers” look after my baby at such a young age but I am so glad I found First Steps, they have been incredible. The setting is clean, the staff are amazing, the outside areas are great and everything is supplied (food, nappies, wipes) which is a bonus when trying to get both of us ready for 7am every morning. I, without a doubt, would highly recommend to everyone.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you Keely for your fantastic review, our team love hearing that they are doing such a great job and its heartwarming to hear that your daughter can't wait to be at First Steps in the morning.


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Review from April J (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been going to First Steps since she was 12 months old and has moved from the baby room to the toddler room and now little steps and each room has been just perfect for her. She absolutely loves going to nursery and talks about the staff all the time, she even asks to go to their homes.
My daughter can be quite shy and the girls at First Steps are always so reassuring and encouraging. I always recommend First Steps to parents looking for childcare. They have handled the pandemic amazingly and have kept us up to date with how they are managing the guidelines. I have total trust in them with my daughter and would highly recommend them time and time again.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you April for taking the time to leave us such a positive review, we really do appreciate the feedback particularly during the pandemic.


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Review from Kim E (Mother of Child) published on 20 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have nothing but praise for First Steps, my son loves going there. Seeing picture updates and assessments reassured me that he is having a great time. When they could, (Covid stopped this) they gave amazing feedback on his day when I collected him (now done over the phone). No matter who met me at
the door, they knew exactly what he’d been up to. I never felt rushed or fobbed off when I asked questions. His key worker often made me feel like he was the only child she’d worked with that day. The artwork that comes home with him is super special and it’s great to have things like that to keep and treasure, so we feel lucky they are so good at that. I feel very confident that they are taking the safety of the children very seriously when it comes to covid and feel very happy sending him in.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you Kim for leaving such a lovely review for us, it really means a lot to both us as owners and the team to know they are doing such a great job.


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Review from Shannen N (Mother of Child) published on 22 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My daughter attends the nursery and has done ever since she was three. She moved up from the toddler room to little steps to now big steps. She has loved every minute of being there and was over the moon when I said she would be going back to nursery after this virus has passed. All the staff are wonderful!
But especially the managers are helpful and reply back to emails as soon as they can. Overall, a great nursery, and I am happy to leave my daughter there and feel like I don’t have to worry.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, we're so pleased that you think our team is wonderful, we couldn't agree more!


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Review from Phil T (Father of Child) published on 22 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

After moving our son from another smaller nursery due to its closure, and we were obviously worried. However, when we first visited the premises it was very welcoming, and all the staff are amazing. From the activities, holiday club, breakfast club and after school club they’re faultless. The kids form
great relationships and skills ready for their next step.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

We are so happy to hear that you are enjoying your new Nursery after moving from another - thank you for your lovely review.


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Review from Adam (Father of Child) published on 19 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I couldn’t recommend First Steps Nursery more highly. Everything from the day to day running of the nursery, the staff, the reviews and updates on my children’s development progress, the services they provide, school pickups and drop off service and how accommodating they are with extenuating circumstances
is just great. My children love going here and we love sending them to a nursery that is so well run and is so beneficial to their early year's development.
I highly recommend First Steps and their incredible team.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you very much for your lovely review, it's good to know that you and your children are happy with everything we do.


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Review from Hannah K (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending for the last year and she has loved every minute of it. The staff have been incredible when talking to them as a client and a mother.
Especially in light of Covid, they have really shown their professionalism, dedication and care for everyone that is involved with the
First Steps family.
I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a team of compassionate superheroes!

Reply from Caroline Marks, Manging Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you so much for your review of First Steps and we are pleased to know that you and your daughter are happy with everything. It's really great to hear that you have appreciated our COVID response too!


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Review from Shinade S (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fantastic nursery. The staff are skilled, caring and compassionate. My daughters have thrived there. They both look forward to nursery. The staff are approachable, and there is not a high turn over of staff which is a good sign. I would recommend First Steps to anyone.

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for the lovely review, it' always nice to know the children look forward to coming to First Steps!


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Review from Dominika S (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my daughters were very happy with the First Step Nursery. Currently just one still going and for sure my son will be next. Great, friendly staff and always helpful. Lot’s of fun, activities and crafts. Highly recommended!

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you for your great review, it's lovely to hear that you and your children are happy with the fun activities that we provide at First Steps. We look forward to welcoming your son soon!


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Review from Lizzie J (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of my children have gone to first steps from 11-months-old. My son is five and still goes to the school club, and my daughter is one and currently in the baby room. My children both love First Steps and all the team; the staff from the management to the nurses are so amazing, and I trust them wholeheartedly
to look after my babies. Would highly recommend. Thank you!

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you, Lizzie, for your lovely feedback - it's lovely to hear that you trust us so much with your children and that they are both so happy coming to First Steps.


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Review from Jo S (Mother of Child) published on 18 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First Step Nursery has been the best choice for our two (not so little now) children. They both attended since the age of 12-months and both love it!
Right from the beginning, the team show that they care. They ensure the little one has settling in sessions. Every ‘term’ they ask for an up-to-date
‘all about me’ so that they understand where your child may need help in or tell them your child strengths/likes/dislikes are.
The management team listen to any concerns you have, and you can trust that your child is being looked after as if they were your own.
Both my children have learnt so much - to be independent, sociable and confident, which helped them to be ‘school ready’.
My oldest attends holiday club, and they do trips out - taking advantage of the local facilities.
Honestly can’t praise the staff or management team enough, especially during the COVID-19 situation, where I had to rely on them for help in the end, and they were so understanding.
I would highly recommend!

Reply from Caroline Marks, Managing Director at First Steps Day Nursery

Thank you so much for your lovely review - it's really good to hear that both your children have enjoyed their time at First Steps and your feedback is really appreciated.


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Meet the Team (3)

Lauren

Lauren Cook

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2009

Lauren (Early Years Professional BA honours degree) has the highest level of early years qualification and is an expert in her field, this is reflected in her expert team that she mentors and guides. Lauren is always willing to be hands on with the children and is truly the face of the nursery for our families. As is summed up by some words from our parents ‘Lauren….well words can’t describe the sterling job she does and always with a smile’. Lauren's two children Freddie and Elsie also attend the Nursery.

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Chantelle

Chantelle Cornell

Job Title: Deputy Nursery Manager

Joined: 2010

Chantelle (Early Years Professional level 5) has been with the nursery over ten years and has completed her foundation degree and assists Lauren in the day to day running of the nursery. Chantelle has worked in all of the rooms in the nursery and is always around to offer advice and guidance to parents. She also brings her little boy Tommy to nursery with her.

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Ella

Ella White

Job Title: Team Leader

Joined: 2011

Ella is our third in command at First Steps and has been with the company since 2011 after initially starting as an apprentice.
Ella now leads the baby room team as well as assists Lauren in the holiday club.

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Frequently Asked Questions about First Steps Day Nursery

What is the Age Range of Children that First Steps Day Nursery accepts?

First Steps Day Nursery accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is First Steps Day Nursery Open?

First Steps Day Nursery is open: Monday 07:15-18:15, Tuesday 07:15-18:15, Wednesday 07:15-18:15, Thursday 07:15-18:15, Friday 07:15-18:15.

How many Children does First Steps Day Nursery have capacity for?

First Steps Day Nursery has capacity for a total of 91 Children.

How far is First Steps Day Nursery to the centre of Poole?

2.1 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact First Steps Day Nursery to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. First Steps Day Nursery has an Enhanced Service – more info.