Business Details
11 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare Services in Bedford
Established in 2015, Little Steps Day Care provides a nurturing environment for children's development in Bedford. Our team of qualified professionals prioritises individual care, implementing evidence-based early education practices through play-based learning. With a focus on creating a 'home from home' atmosphere, we accommodate children from infancy through pre-school age, offering tailored support for special educational needs. Our facility combines spacious indoor areas with stimulating outdoor spaces, ensuring optimal conditions for growth and learning.The management team brings decades of combined experience in childcare and education, maintaining rigorous standards through continuous staff training and parental engagement. We operate with transparent communication policies, providing regular progress updates to families while maintaining flexible scheduling options to suit modern family needs.
Services
Under 2s Care
Over 2s Care
SEND Support
Forest School Activities
Flexible Session Times
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We offer 10+ years' experience in early childhood education through our qualified team
- Our nursery provides specialist SEND support with dedicated coordinators
- We implement flexible adjustments to meet individual children's needs
- Located in Bedford with convenient access for local families
- Our family-run business maintains a warm, homely environment
What people say
Amazing staff
Safe and fun place
Happy and settled
Excellent communication
Great development
Services
Under 2s Care
Specialised care for infants and toddlers in a secure, stimulating environment. Our trained practitioners implement age-appropriate activities to support early developmental milestones through sensory play and structured routines. The baby room features dedicated sleep and feeding areas with continuous one-to-one interaction to build trust and security.
Over 2s Care
Engaging educational programmes for toddlers and pre-school children. We combine structured learning with free play using Montessori-inspired resources and outdoor exploration. Our curriculum prepares children for school through social skills development, early literacy and numeracy activities within a nurturing environment.
SEND Support
Tailored support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. Our qualified SENCO develops individualised care plans in collaboration with parents and external specialists. We implement reasonable adjustments to physical spaces and learning materials while providing targeted interventions to maximise each child's potential.
Forest School Activities
Nature-based educational experiences in our outdoor learning environment. Children engage in supervised exploration of natural elements, developing physical coordination and environmental awareness. Activities include seasonal crafts, plant identification, and structured risk-taking to build confidence and resilience.
Flexible Session Times
Customisable childcare arrangements to suit family requirements. We offer full-day, half-day and occasional care options with consistent staffing to ensure continuity of care. Our flexible approach accommodates changing needs while maintaining stable routines for children's emotional security.
People
Joanne McClelland
Nursery Manager and SENCO
Qualified with a degree in Education Studies and Level 3 Early Years Educator Diploma, Joanne has over a decade of childcare experience including special needs support. She leads daily operations and special educational needs provision at Little Steps Day Care.
Rachel Burgess
Proprietor
With 30+ years' childcare experience, Rachel provides strategic oversight as co-proprietor. Her background in nursery management informs quality assurance processes while maintaining the family-run ethos of the business.
Mark Burgess
Operations Director
Bringing business management expertise to the team, Mark oversees operational logistics and financial stewardship. His procurement background ensures efficient resource allocation while maintaining educational standards.
Mariya Amini
Deputy Manager
Level 3 CACHE qualified with 10+ years' experience, Mariya leads the over 2s room. Her special interests include forest school methodology and language development, contributing to innovative curriculum design.
Daniella Canale
Baby Room Leader
Level 3 qualified practitioner with 11 years' experience, Daniella specialises in infant care. She creates nurturing routines for babies while maintaining close communication with parents about developmental progress.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide care for children aged 0-5 years, with dedicated spaces for under 2s and over 2s.
Do you support children with special needs?
Yes, we have a dedicated SENCO and experienced staff to support children with additional needs.
What are your operating hours?
Please contact us directly for current session times and availability.
How do you communicate with parents?
We provide regular progress updates and maintain open communication through daily interactions and formal meetings.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes Level 3 qualified practitioners, CACHE diploma holders, and specialists in early childhood education.
Reviews (1)
Andrew Mckendry
Oct 01, 2019
Report
Have worked closely with both Jo and Mark for over a year now and find them both to be a pleasure to work with a fine eye to detail etc. If I lived in that area and required their services wouldn't hesitate to use them and from what i have seen of the nursery and what they do will happily recommend them. Keep up the good work!!!
