First Steps Junior Academy

66a Gilford Road, Portadown, Craigavon BT63 5EF
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9.9 61 Reviews
  • First Steps Junior Academy, Craigavon
First Steps Junior Academy offers a loving homely environment for your child. First Steps has been a vital part of the community for many years. The large house has been renovated and extended to provide a high standard of care and facilities for children aged 3 months to 4 years. Every day at First Steps is fun filled and stimulating with age appropriate resources and activities in every room.

They have a variety of visitors coming to the nursery throughout the year including Jo Jingles, the police, the fire brigade, a nurse and many more. They believe this helps to compliment learning through play and the Pre-School Curriculum.

The garden is securely fenced, allowing the children the opportunity to explore outside and enjoy the large climbing frame. The nursery also provides after school care within the setting. Afternoon collections and summer schemes are available for children attending the local schools.

The cook provides a wide variety of nutritionally balanced meals for every child’s individual dietary requirements. At First Steps, carers strive to deliver a high standard of care ensuring they meet the needs of every individual child.

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Care Provided by First Steps Junior Academy

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

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Lisa May Heron (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 22
  • Total Places for Children
  • 65
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 6 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Public Holidays

Funding & Fees Guide for First Steps Junior Academy

  • Full-time Day Care - £226.50 per week
    Full Day- £53.00 per day
    Half Day - £37.50 per half day
    Two children – Full time only - £416.00 per week
    Afterschool - £27.00 per session
    Morning & Afterschool - £32.50 per session

First Steps Junior Academy Reviews (61)

Total of 61, showing 21-40
9.9

First Steps Junior Academy has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.917) out of 10, based on 19 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time First Steps Junior Academy has 61 reviews.

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Review from Nadine B (Mother of Child) published on 20 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have had both my son and now my daughter with First Steps and have never had any issues at all. All staff are very friendly caring and helpful. I can leave my daughter off going to work knowing she is safe and happy every morning. Would recommend first steps to anyone and have done to various parents
over the years. The only one thing I would love is if there was an app of some sort for pictures updates etc of the kids.

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Review from J B (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff are excellent and take great care of the children.


There is great toys for inside and outside play and lots creative crafts are sent home.


My child appears to be very happy in First Steps. Thank you for all your hard work!


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Review from B W (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I recommend first steps to all my friends. My child was extremily happy here as a baby right through to after schools. He enjoyed meeting new friends and all the leaders were fantastic with him, helping him settle in and adjusting to different rooms, as he moved up. He loved the food and on the rare
occasion if he didn't like something they were quick to offer something he does

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Review from D B (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This is a wonderful nursery with wonderful staff. My children have made great friends there, both with the staff as well as the children. They absolutely love it there and I would recommend it to anyone!

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Review from ANNE R (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my children have been very happy in First Steps over the years and never heard a complaint. I know they are safe and well looked after and happy there. I have no concerns while they are in their care.

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Review from B H (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

First Steps have diligently cared for all three of our children. Each room is great at meeting the needs of the children and encouraging them in developing their personal and social skills. Our children have loved doing crafts and learning all about age-appropriate topics including colour and shape.
The food provided is always brilliant quality and the facilities are clean and well-kept.


Staff are great and take every effort to keep us informed about our children’s progress.


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Review from Nicola C (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I love everything about First Steps. My daughter has been going since 2017 and my son started almost a year ago- in that space of time I have watched the staff learn and adapt to building a relationship with my kids as individuals and not just a number in a class. To have so many workers pour their
passion for teaching and caring for kids into my children is amazing.


The communication between staff and parents is great and we are always greeted with a smile. My 2 kids are learning and developing, they feel safe, they are cared for and they are happy. What more could a parent want?


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Review from M K (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery and its staff are fantastic. They welcomed my little one straight away and implemented her routine really well, including changes we made to nap times etc. I've always found the girls really open with me and my partner and our parenting style and they take everything on board that we say
and try to keep the same behaviours with her so it's consistent with how we deal with things at home. Her eating habits and range of food have improved a lot and she loves to go to nursery, we never have any tears which shows her great bond with the nursery assistants. Although still very young, it would be great if she learnt more skills like baking/cooking which she did at her previous nursery. I also feel like the variety of food could be turned up a notch, with more fresh foods.


That being said, I highly recommend First Steps.


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Review from L N (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2022
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The nursery is always clean and tidy. My daughter always smiles going in and coming out. She looks forward to going to nursery. We have had no issues at First Steps. Would definitely recommend to others.

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Review from Miss C (Mother of Child) published on 11 April 2022
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl has been at First Steps since she was 18 months old, she is now 8 and is at the after-schools. My child has autism and they are amazing with her. The staff are all lovely and treat the kids like they are their own. I couldn’t recommend First Steps enough. I’m so glad I chose first steps
for my wee girl they definitely helped with her progress as she was non-verbal when she started, they worked alongside me when she went through her behaviours etc amazing.

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Review from J W (Mother of Child) published on 2 August 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This nursery is fantastic. Each of the staff is fabulous with the kids and have lots of time and patience with them. They genuinely seem like a happy team. The manager is great when you need to request additional days or hours and is always very helpful when I need to email regarding school pickups
etc. My son went to another nursery prior which he hated, so this has been a complete turn around for him. No tears on arrival which makes all the difference for us. Collecting my son this week I realised that they also take fewer holidays. Driving past the old nursery I noticed they were closed, then I remembered they were obviously off the entire July week, and perhaps two full weeks at Christmas which isn't really realistic for working parents. I can't thank the girls enough for how they have treated my son, their reliability and their friendly and fun personalities. I would recommend this nursery to anyone.

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Review from Donna (Mother of Child) published on 1 July 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy started in this nursery almost a year ago at 13 months and has came on leaps and bounds since. He just loves to go! The staff and management are extremely friendly and make time to chat and let me know how he is getting on. The facilities are great and the children well looked after and
fed and outdoor play encouraged. I'm updated daily on his activities and how he is progressing. They take part in lots of seasonal activities and he brings home lots of crafts and paintings and he's formed lots of friendships with staff and other children. I can go to my work and not feel guilty as I know he is well cared for and having a great time.

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Review from Shannon G (Mother of Child) published on 17 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son loves going into his nursery, he has learned a lot and loves the staff, I would highly recommend them to anyone. The outside equipment is amazing and all the kids love getting outside to play they are always so happy.

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Review from Bethany E (Mother of Child) published on 14 May 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Holly House is a brilliant nursery. The girls are all amazing and so lovely. The kids are so well looked after here, I wouldn’t send my kids anywhere else and would highly recommend to anyone that they use the nursery!

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Review from Sarah H (Mother of Child) published on 1 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a fabulous place for my child! She just loves it and has made great progress from being in First Steps. I know that I can go to work in the knowledge that my child is happy and content in such a secure and loving learning environment; that means a lot! All the staff are great and they know and
treat every child as an individual. My child goes in happy and leaves happy and well-fed every day who could ask for more! Well done First Steps!

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Review from Shelby C (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl has been attending First Steps since September 2019. She is always happy and all the staff are fantastic with her. She eats well and plays outside as many days as can be facilitated. I am more than happy with her care and would not hesitate to recommend First Steps.

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Review from Wendy M (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I sent my boys here from when they were 1 to 11 approximately and they loved it and were very sad to leave. Now my daughter attends and she loves it too. Opening times are great and a good location for me. Staff are great and very friendly and helpful.

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Review from S (Mother of Child) published on 13 March 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Really pleased with this nursery. My girls enjoyed spending the summer over there. It was the first time using this service, so I was a bit concerned. The manager was so helpful and friendly. All the staff are amazing, my girls were so happy. They had several activities outside the nursery, which was
great. Hopefully, they will attend again this summer.

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Review from J T (Mother of Child) published on 19 September 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

My experience using this private nursery has been good, the staff are friendly, professional with no issues. My son started in July 2019. I am happy with the caring approach the staff have with looking after my son.

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Review from E C (Mother of Child) published on 16 July 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter attends first steps 2 mornings a week. She absolutely loves it. The staff are friendly and are great at helping her settle in. She always looks forward to going and comes out a very happy little girl. Would highly recommend.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.917)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.917) out of 10 for First Steps Junior Academy is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 19 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 19 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 4.917 for First Steps Junior Academy is calculated as follows: ( (209 Excellents x 5) + (19 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 228 Ratings = 4.917

  • 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 First Steps Junior Academy is based on 19 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 65 number of registered child places is 13, which has been reached with 19 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.

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Awards / Recognitions (13)

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Meet the Team (1)

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Lisa May Heron

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2006

Lisa May has worked with us in First Steps Junior Academy since 2006.


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