Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

1a Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Swansea SA8 4EB
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10 25 Reviews
  • Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe, Swansea
Little Steps Childcare provides high-quality care and education for children up to the age of five years, with out-of-school provision offered for children up to the age of 12 years. Children are cared for in a secure, friendly and stimulating environment by a supportive staff team who are well-qualified and receive ongoing training to ensure their approach and practice is compliant at all times.

The nursery has three separate, age-appropriate areas for babies, two- to three-year-olds, and children over the age of three, where they can participate in activities and learning to fully prepare them for full-time education. The nursery’s outdoor area is ideal for enhancing the children’s learning, with climbing equipment, a muddy corner, a bike track and an outdoor classroom.

Children at Little Steps are encouraged to develop independence and social skills at mealtimes. Menus are regularly rotated and provide children with the necessary nutrition for their age and development.

At Little Steps Childcare Centre Ltd, the quality of care and the happiness of the children is their main concern. They feel that enjoyable and interesting experiences are the key to positive attitudes towards learning, so the emphasis is on learning through play.

A wide range of toys and resources are available to encourage the children to reach their full potential. Observations of the children are undertaken during their play to enable the staff to plan activities based on their interests and to widen their knowledge.

Daily activities are based on the Early Years Foundation Phase Curriculum and cover the seven areas of learning:

•        Personal and Social Development, Well-being and Cultural Diversity
•        Language, literacy and Communication Skills
•        Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
•        Knowledge and Understanding of the World
•        Physical Development
•        Creative Development
•        Welsh Language Development

Care Provided by Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Jordan Thomas (Setting Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 12
  • Total Places for Children
  • 46
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:15-18:00
    Tuesday 07:15-18:00
    Wednesday 07:15-18:00
    Thursday 07:15-18:00
    Friday 07:15-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years Day

Funding & Fees Guide for Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

  • £154.00 per week baby under 2 yrs


  • Parking
  • Three car parking spaces directly outside the setting. Overflow car parking for Little Steps Families at Viv Date Carpets (on the Cross)


Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe Reviews (25)

Total of 25, showing 1-20
10

Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe has a Review Score of 10 (9.951) out of 10, based on 12 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe has 25 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe is a warm and caring environment designed with the children in mind. They really care about the children and create a space for them to develop and thrive. The team are so supportive and really go the extra mile.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe are truly outstanding. My little girl struggled to integrate initially and they were incredibly patient and kind with us. Nothing is too much trouble.
The daily diaries are informative and detailed and I feel my little girl is exceptionally well taken
care of. Thank you the manager and the wider team for everything you do.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Steps Pontardawe has been a great environment for both of our children. The staff are very supportive and caring and there's a great variety of activities and opportunities for the children to get involved with. The team are always very understanding and supportive and both our children love
their time there.

Reply from Jordan Thomas, Manager at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, it's very much appreciated by all of us here at the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Steps are absolutely amazing, kind-hearted and friendly.
Staff/ Management who always go above and beyond, thank you!
Fantastic communication whether it will be in person or via email. Clean facilities.
Great activities throughout the day, my child is very happy to go here daily and can't
wait to see all the staff and his friends.
Food is very good, healthy and nutritious and lots of it throughout the day.
My child's learning and speech has progressively improved throughout his journey here even down to toilet training.
He always comes home a happy child.
Keep up the fantastic work!

Reply from Jordan Thomas, Manager at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking time to share your feedback, it's very much appreciated by all of us here at the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Since my daughter has started here she has developed so much! I love how friendly and caring the staff are! I love how my daughter gets so excited to see everyone- even just one morning a week! They are all so approachable!

Reply from Jordan Thomas, Manager at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking time to share your feedback, it's very much appreciated by all of us here at the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son is now 3 and has been with Little Steps since he was 18 months old. We chose the setting based on excellent reviews and our experience of visiting. My son found it difficult to leave us to go to nursery, and the staff were so patient and helpful in helping him to settle in, and in reassuring
us as parents. We are always kept fully informed of his progress. He enjoys varied activities and loves playing outside, and his trips out around the village and to the residential home, which are brilliant experiences for him and a real benefit that Little Steps offers. We have chosen to keep him in the setting even though it would suit us better to put him in a facility nearer his school for wraparound; he is so happy there, and we are so happy with the care he receives, that we couldn't consider moving him.

Reply from Jordan Thomas, Manager at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, it's very much appreciated by all of us here at the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The children receive the most amazing experiences, with such dedicated and caring staff. From feeding the ducks along the canal, and playing at the local parks to taking a shopping list to the shops. My child loves the experiences on offer at Little Steps Pontardawe and feels completely comfortable
and happy there, which is so important to us.

Reply from Jordan Thomas, Manager at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, it's very much appreciated by all of us here at the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been going here for the past 6 months when I returned to work from maternity leave. The staff have been so helpful and accommodating, she has settled so well and independently walks in with staff now which is bittersweet! She loves the variety of activities throughout the day and is
always happy at pick-up.

Reply from Jordan Thomas, Manager at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking time to share your feedback, it's very much appreciated by all of us here at the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Fabulous nursery. My kids love the staff and they are always so excited to see them and I mean that in both ways. They have so much time for the children and truly go out of their way to help make parents' lives easier. Nothing is too much trouble. My boy runs out the front door in the morning to see
his nursery besties, makes our day so easy.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started with Little Steps when he was only 6 months old and is now 17 months old. I am currently pregnant and already have the baby registered to start with them in the new year. The girls are all amazing with him and it is clear to see the bond he has with them all.He gets everything he needs
there; education suitable for his age, sensory play, nutritious homemade meals, trips out and plenty of 1:1 time with the girls. His social skills and verbal skills have also improved due to his time there. It is always exciting to receive his report at the end of his stay and receiveing photos of him smiling and playing. Whenever I have needed questions answered, the manager has always been very helpful and quick to reply. Great work!

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter (6) has attended Little Steps in Pontardawe since she was only a year old and my son (now 14) before her. The staff feel like part of the family and work to the highest standards to ensure the children's care and development is of the upmost priority. The children are offered opportunities
to learn new things, be it creative or academic. The nursery is always maintained to a high standard and there is a great outdoor space.
The team work with parents to ensure that children's own specific needs are met.
Thanks.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The best little childcare for our boys!
Our littlest absolutely loves his time spent at Little Steps. The nursery manager is always really helpful and quick to reply to any changes/assistance we need, it’s very much appreciated and makes any nursery admin as easy as possible. The team are always kind
and caring with both of our boys who have very different personalities, but both really enjoy coming, littlest had such a lovely bond with one staff member in particular. Our children have attended most of the sessions, breakfast club, morning, afternoon and school holidays and all are equally enjoyed. The food is homemade, snacks are healthy and the team often encourage the children to get involved in cooking which ours absolutely love!
We love that there’s a really fun, interactive garden where the children can get fresh air and use up energy.
School holiday club is always made fun, which makes it so much easier to go to work knowing they are having a fab day! Highly recommend!

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking time to share your feedback, it's very much appreciated by all of us here at the setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter started at little steps just before her first birthday in 2021. I was anxious as we were still in strange times. But all the staff at Little Steps Childcare Centre have been absolutely fantastic, not only with our daughter but in communication to us if there is ever anything we need to
know about or if we have any queries or requests.
They have provided excellent levels of education and helped set her up for starting school soon, which has been invaluable.
The daily write up and photos we receive is incredible and it allows us to have a real feel for what her day has been like.
Even the effort put into the foods that are planned and provided are second to none and that’s without the cooking knowledge they have started to pass on by getting the children involved in making cakes and chopping vegetables etc. Great life skills that we now follow on with at home too.
Honestly cannot fault anything with Little Steps, amazing all round and we would be lost without this nursery!

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Our heartfelt thanks for such a glowing recommendation. The team are so focussed on keeping up with current thinking in child development and it's fantastic to see the progression reflected in your review. Diolch yn fawr!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter attends Little Steps Childcare Centre two days a week. She thoroughly enjoys her time at the nursery. She loves exploring and all the activities that are provided for her. The food/menu Little Steps Childcare Centre provides is excellent and my daughter enjoys a variety of food.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Steps Childcare Centre is a fantastic setting and facility for our daughter. She has really excelled since joining Little Steps. Her development, both physically and cognitively, has come on leaps and bounds. All the staff cannot do enough for our daughter. Highly recommended.

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for your feedback, it means a great deal to make that fantastic connection between parent, child and ourselves. Thank you again!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started Little Steps Childcare Centre just before his 1st Bday. I was going back to work full time. With the anxiety of leaving him, we did some settling-in sessions. The staff at Little Steps Childcare Centre were so reassuring when I first left. The end-of-day emails we get were a joy to receive
to see what I felt I had missed out on. I called them regularly during the first few weeks and always felt reassured and like I wasn't being a nuisance, leaving the calls able to focus on my work, knowing he was happy and in safe hands. My son has now turned four and starts full-time school in September. We see the staff at Little Steps as an extension of the family. I feel my son has had the best four years start with his social skills, and they also focus on developmental - recording this with photos, artwork and activities evidence (presenting us with this book this week). The activities they do are brilliant with my son filling me in each day on what he's been doing. Thank you for everything.

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for taking the time to review Little Steps, Alison; it is a fantastic way to feedback to the team and is very much appreciated. A is very much part of our Little Steps family, a real character who will certainly have a fantastic time at school - he's so ready for it now. Wishing you all the very best for September and beyond.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son absolutely loves it here. He looks forward to going in each morning and comes home with a smile on his face. We were very apprehensive about having to put him into a nursery at a young age, shortly after his first birthday but it has been an amazing decision and now he is approaching four we
can honestly say it was the best choice. He has grown and picked up skills and cognition really quickly, as well as increasing his food tastes and social maturity while he has been in Little Steps.
The team are incredibly helpful and communicative, no mean achievement during the pandemic of the last 18 months and I would absolutely recommend Little Steps to friends.

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for this positive feedback. It really is a team effort and we are equally grateful to our families for all of your support. It is heartwarming for the practitioner's work to be recognised having been unable to invite families into the setting of late. We are hoping that this situation will improve very soon. Thank you again.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Can not highly recommend Littlesteps enough - my son started during the covid pandemic and just coming out of lockdowns. He had had limited interactions and the nursery team were exceptional at socialising him and helping him develop into a happy, confident, bubbly little boy who absolutely loves his
days in nursery. The activities he gets up to are so varied and I like that everything is underpinned by educational learning through exploration and fun. The daily updates are fantastic, and really put you at ease that your child has had a wonderful day. Plus all the info bits you want to know about food, drinks, nappies and naps.
The team are so approachable, will answer any questions and support the routine, likes and dislikes of each child. I really feel like everyone is treated as an individual.

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you for this lovely reflection of our provision. It will be shared with all team members involved. We are so happy to have you on board.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This was the best thing I could ever do for my son.
We looked at a few nursery options that were cheaper but the facilities and staff at Little Steps are second to none!
He has improved and grown so much just by going to the nursery. All the staff are amazing. The nursery is not just about playing
with cheap plastic toys, it is about teaching them how to learn from the very start.
Would 100% recommend this nursery. My little boy loves it so much that he holds on to the girls when its time to come home. Great place, great staff and great atmosphere!

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Ah! Thank you for such positive feedback it is our pleasure every day to focus on the holistic development of all children within our setting.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son started at Little Steps in Pontardawe when he was 2. It's the best decision we have made. They really made an effort to get to know him and understand how he likes to play and learn.


Our children are so precious and it was hard to leave them with other people. But I never had to worry about

leaving him with the Little Steps family. I'd 100% recommend them.

Reply from Karen Jones, Owner at Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

Thank you, Victoria. It really is our pleasure to get to know the families in our care.


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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.951)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.951) out of 10 for Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 12 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 12 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 4.951 for Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe is calculated as follows: ( (136 Excellents x 5) + (7 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 143 Ratings = 4.951

  • 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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe is based on 12 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 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • 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 46 number of registered child places is 9.2, which has been reached with 12 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • 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.

Child Vacancies

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (2)

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Meet the Team (2)

Karen

Karen Jones

Job Title: Responsible Individual

Joined: 2006

Qualifications: CCLD Level 5, OCR Level 4 in Management, B.A. (HONS Political Science/American Studies), P.G.C.E. 3-11 Years, First Aid Certificate and Advanced Child Protection.


SENCO Co-Ordinator, Special Needs Co-ordinator, Safe Guarding Officer and Behaviour Management Co-Ordinator.


I was born and educated in the Swansea Valley. On graduating I began my teaching career and for nine years developed and became Head of Pre-Prep at St.Michael’s Independent School in Llanelli.


Following many years of preparation I am delighted to provide childcare and education of the highest quality to children in the Swansea Valley.


I am dedicated to the idea that Little Steps provides the community with the security of knowing that children in the care of the Little Steps team are treated with the utmost respect and cared for in a highly secure, happy and stimulating environment.


Jordan

Jordan Harris

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2007

Qualifications: CACHE Level 3 NVQ in Children’s Care, Learning and Development, CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Child Care and Education, St John Cymru – Wales Certificate for Fire Marshal, Advanced Child Protection training, Level 2 in Food Safety in Catering and Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid.


Jordan started at the setting as a student and has worked her way up to Deputy Manager in the 10 years that she has been with us. Jordan has 8 years experience working at the setting as a Level 3 practitioner and is currently undertaking her Level 5 qualification. Along with the role of Deputy Manager Jordan is also our Nutrition Co-Ordinator.


Frequently Asked Questions about Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe

What is the Age Range of Children that Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe accepts?

Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe Open?

Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe is open: Monday 07:15-18:00, Tuesday 07:15-18:00, Wednesday 07:15-18:00, Thursday 07:15-18:00, Friday 07:15-18:00.

How many Children does Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe have capacity for?

Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe has capacity for a total of 46 Children.

How far is Little Steps Childcare Pontardawe to the centre of Swansea?

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