The setting is managed by the directors, Julie Elsworth and Elaine Williams.
Julie and Elaine first established First Steps in 1990 and have been continually developing the setting over the last 25 years. We firmly believe that all children deserve a safe, caring and stimulating environment. A high quality level of teaching is important to ensure that the children will thrive and learn through their play. We strive to be very approachable and recognise the importance of using highly successful strategies to engage our families in their children’s learning both at home and at the setting.
Leadership and Management
Our management team is made up of Julie and Elaine.
Julie Elsworth
Julie Elsworth holds a Diploma Level 3 in Early Years, Level 3 in Playwork, D32/33 Assessor and 7307 in Teaching. She has over 25 years experience of working in childcare in the capacity of supervisor for 8 years and then as private co-owner of First Steps Nursery in 1997. She is dedicated to supporting the First Steps team in providing high quality care and education by nurturing learning and development to ensure that all children have fun and are happy and are provided with the best possible start in life that they deserve.
Elaine Williams
Elaine Williams started her childcare career path in 1990 where she supervised in a local pre-school and soon after became private co- owner of First Steps Nursery in 1997. Elaine holds a Level 4 in Management, Diploma Level 3 in Early Years, Level in Playwork, D32/33 Assessor and 7307 in Teaching. She value the importance of listening and working together in partnership with parents to ensure the overall well being of every child within our care is safe and secure.
Our Staff
Our staff are highly qualified and experienced with outstanding knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It is important to our team that we never lose sight of the link between quality of the provision and it’s impact on our children’s learning and development.
Each room has consistency of staff with a lead practitioner overseeing each session. All children are allocated a key person who will develop and maintain a positive relationship between home and setting. This is especially important as positive relationships have an impact on a child’s emotional wellbeing. This then in turn enables a child to move forward in all other areas of learning and development.
All staff and students studying with us have a full DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check to ensure a high level of safeguarding is in place at all times.
We are confident that you will find all our practitioners friendly and welcoming and you will be happy to leave your child in their competent care. Practitioners help the children to manage risks and challenges through the activities that they provide and a highly stimulating environment promotes learning and challenges both in the classroom and our outdoor learning environment.