Parent Partnership
We believe that parents are the primary and most influential educators in their child’s life.
We truly value your feedback and suggestions about First Steps, and we would be delighted for you to take part in your child’s group whenever opportunities arise. Your involvement is always welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Arranging a Visit
We think it is great that you are considering our nursery and you are welcome to arrange a visit to our site at a time that is convenient to you. We look forward to welcoming you into our nursery and hope that both yours and your child's experience with us is positive, productive and helpful for you in making your decision.
Fees
First Steps Fee Structure from January 2026
Full Day £60.00
7.30am - 6.00pm
Half Day £35.00
Morning Session: 7.30am - 12.30pm
Afternoon Session: 1.00pm - 6.00pm
Meal Costs
These are charged daily as an additional cost when you are accessing a free funded childcare place.
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Breakfast £1.50
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Lunch £3.00
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Tea £2.50
Funding
Working Parents of Children 9 months - 4 years
You may be able to get 30 hours of free childcare a week through the Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme. Your child must be aged 9 months to 4 years old and you must live in England.
To check if you are eligible to receive the 30 hours funded childcare on the Government website go to:
https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/check-youre-eligible
If you think you are eligible, you will need to apply for a code. This usually takes around 20 minutes. You may find out you’re eligible straight away, but this can take up to 7 days.
You will need the following information to hand:
You’ll need your (and your partner’s, if you have one):
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National Insurance number
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Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed (if you have a UTR)
You’ll also need:
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the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) of any children you’re applying for
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the date you started or are due to start work (this can be approximate if it’s more than 3 months ago)
You can then follow the prompts and apply online.
If your application is approved, you'll get a code for funded childcare to give to your childcare provider. You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll need to reconfirm your eligibility in your account to keep your code valid, even if your child has not yet started their place.
Please Note: You must have received your eligibility code and given this to your chosen childcare provider before the start of the term, even if your child doesn’t start until mid-term.
For more information:
https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/what-youll-get
2 Year Old Funding
Your 2 year old can get 15 hours of free childcare a week if you live in England and you or your child get some extra support.
You’ll get these 15 hours for 38 weeks of the year. You may be able to get free childcare for more than 38 weeks a year if you take fewer hours over more weeks.
For more information and to check your entitlement:
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds
3 to 4 Year Old Funding
All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Families can receive free childcare beginning from the school term following the child’s 3rd birthday.
For more information:
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-3-to-4-year-olds
Extended 30 hour entitlement
Some children are also entitled to an additional 15 hours a week of childcare providing their parents meet the qualifying criteria.
Meals & Dietary Requirements
At First Steps we encourage all our children to develop and grow through a well balanced healthy diet. We offer daily nutritious food for all the children in our care; our menus are carefully planned with the emphasis on healthy eating.
We have a fully equipped kitchen, inspected by Environmental Health Officers. Breakfast and afternoon tea are prepared on site, and our lunches are prepared by kitchen staff at the adjoining Cansfield High School . We are able to meet any dietary requirements and we will at all times endeavour to cook meals the same for all children regardless of what their dietary needs are so they feel included and part of the group.
Children are proactively encouraged to self serve their meals – with the help of staff when required.
Our menus change on a seasonal basis to reflect the fresh fruit and vegetables that are available. Water and milk are provided throughout the day as well as at meal times.
The Eatwell Guide is a policy tool used to define government recommendations on eating healthily and achieving a balanced diet.
For more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-eatwell-guide
Sample Menu (Monday)
Breakfast - Choice of cereals
Lunch - Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots, sage & onion stuffing & gravy.
Fresh Fruit Salad
Tea - Tuna, Cheese & Ham sandwiches on wholemeal bread with cucumber sticks.
Fruit yoghurt
Healthy Start
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.
You can use your card to buy:
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plain liquid cow’s milk
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fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
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fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
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infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
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You can also use your card to collect:
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Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
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vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old
For more information and to apply: https://www.gov.uk/healthy-start