Business Details
Trusted Nursery & Preschool in Shepton Mallet
At First Steps Childcare, we provide educational nursery and pre-school care in a safe, loving environment designed to foster your child's growth. Established in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, our purpose-built facility accommodates up to 42 children daily, operating from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday to Thursday and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Fridays. Our team of highly qualified staff, all holding relevant childcare qualifications and DBS checks, are committed to delivering a curriculum that balances child-led exploration with structured learning. We maintain a 5-star food hygiene rating and collaborate with local schools to ensure seamless transitions for children entering formal education. Ofsted's July 2025 report highlighted our staff's excellence in fostering positive relationships and our leaders' dedication to continuous professional development.Our facility includes dedicated nursery and pre-school rooms equipped with resources that stimulate sensory exploration, physical development, and creative expression. We utilise online learning journals to track each child's progress against Early Years Foundation Stage criteria, encouraging parental involvement through regular updates and contributions. Our commitment to quality has been recognised through consistently positive feedback from parents, who praise our nurturing environment and the significant developmental progress their children achieve during their time with us.
Services
Nursery Care
Pre-School Programs
Childcare Sessions
Online Learning Journals
Healthy Meal Provision
Highlights and features
- We offer sessions tailored to your schedule with flexible start/end times
- Our staff are highly qualified and DBS checked with ongoing professional development
- We maintain a 5-star food hygiene rating for safe, nutritious meals
- Our curriculum is designed in partnership with local schools for smooth transitions
- We provide real-time progress tracking through online learning journals
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Thrived and developed well
Set her up ready for school
Amazing team
Happy here
Massive part of our lives
Services
Nursery Care
Our nursery care service provides a secure, stimulating environment for children aged 0-3. The nursery room features sensory exploration areas, physical development equipment, and creative resources. Staff implement targeted interventions to support language development while maintaining a 5-star food hygiene rating for all meals prepared on-site.
Pre-School Programs
Designed for children aged 3-5, our pre-school programs combine free-flow outdoor learning with structured classroom activities. The curriculum focuses on literacy, mathematics, and creative arts while preparing children for school transitions through daily phonics sessions and collaborative projects with local schools.
Online Learning Journals
Each child receives a digital learning journal documenting their development across all seven Early Years Foundation Stage areas. Parents can access real-time updates, contribute observations, and review progress against educational milestones through our secure online platform.
Healthy Meal Provision
Our on-site kitchen provides balanced, nutritious meals prepared daily by qualified staff. Menus feature two-course lunches and teas with low salt and sugar content, complemented by fresh fruit and vegetable snacks. The service maintains a 5-star food hygiene rating through rigorous safety standards.
Sing and Sign Sessions
We incorporate British Sign Language into daily activities to enhance communication skills. These sessions support language development for all children, particularly those with speech delays, through interactive songs, stories, and role-play activities led by trained staff.
People
Elaine Garland
Nursery Owner/Director
With NNEB qualifications and extensive experience in early years education, Elaine leads our team with a commitment to quality childcare. She oversees curriculum development and maintains partnerships with local schools to ensure educational continuity.
Hayley Rahn
Senior Supervisor
Hayley holds a Foundation Degree in Early Years Studies and manages daily operations. She focuses on staff development and implements innovative teaching methods to enhance children's learning experiences through structured play activities.
Ruth Garland-Davies
Manager
As a BA (Hons) Early Years graduate and designated safeguarding lead, Ruth ensures child protection policies are rigorously followed. She coordinates staff training programs and maintains compliance with Ofsted regulations.
Claire Jessop
Setting Manager
Claire manages daily nursery operations with her Level 5 Diploma in Leadership. She specialises in curriculum implementation and staff mentoring, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality educational programs across all age groups.
Bryony Durnell
Preschool Teacher
Bryony, a PGCE Primary qualified teacher, leads our pre-school curriculum. She develops engaging educational activities that prepare children for school transitions while maintaining compliance with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We accept children from 0 to 5 years old, with dedicated nursery rooms for under-3s and pre-school facilities for children preparing for school.
How do you support child development?
Our curriculum combines child-led play with structured learning in literacy, mathematics, and creative arts, supported by online learning journals tracking progress against national standards.
What are your opening hours?
We operate Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-5:30 PM (extendable to 6:00 PM), Fridays 8:30 AM-4:00 PM, with closures during August and specific Easter/Christmas periods.
How do you involve parents?
Parents receive real-time updates through online learning journals, can contribute observations, and participate in regular communication about their child's progress and development.
What food hygiene standards do you maintain?
We hold a 5-star food hygiene rating with all meals prepared on-site by trained staff, featuring balanced nutrition and low salt/sugar content across breakfast, lunch, and tea options.
Videos
