About Us
Welcome to Initial Steps
We provide Pre-schools in Chavey Down and Warfield for local residents using use the Statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Term Dates
Pre-School Calendar
Spring Term 2026
Monday 5th January – Friday 27th March
(Half term 16th February to 20th February)
Summer Term 2026
Monday 13th April – Wednesday 22nd July
(Half term 25th May – 29th May)
(Bank Holiday 4th May)
Autum Term 2026
Tuesday 1st September – Thursday 17th December
Children Party Friday 18th December
(Half Term Monday 26th October- Friday 30th October)
Spring Term 2027
Starts Monday 4th January- Thursday 25th March
(Half term Monday 15th February- Friday 19th February)
Summer Term 2027
Monday 12th April – Wednesday 21st July
(Half term Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June)
(Bank Holiday 3rd May)
Expert People
Funding & Fees
We offer government-funded childcare hours and flexible paid sessions. Below you’ll find a clear breakdown of what’s included and any additional costs.
Government Funding: 15 & 30 Hours
Who can receive funding?
15 hours: from the term after your child turns 2 or 3 (eligibility applies)
30 hours: from the term after your child turns 3 (eligibility applies)
How funding works
Funding can only be used between 9:00am – 3:00pm
15 hours = 5 sessions
30 hours = 10 sessions
Lunch club may be included, but extra charges apply if hours are exceeded
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please ask our team and we will guide you to the correct websites.
Session Fees (Non-Funded Hours)
£23.70 per 3-hour session (children under 3)
Payable weekly or in advance
Lunch club: £4.00 per session
Absences
Fees remain payable for short absences
One month’s notice required for long-term absence
Breakfast and Extended Hours
Funding cannot be used outside 9:00am – 3:00pm.
Chavey Down Rates
18 months–2 years
30 minutes(breakfast club only): £6.50
1 hour: £10.00
3–4 years
30 minutes: £5.50
1 hour: £8.50
Whitegrove Rates
18 months–2 years
1 hour: £10.00
3–4 years
1 hour: £8.50
Consumable Costs
To help cover snacks, resources, and cleaning:
£1.25 per session
Charged termly for funded children
Consumables
We offer every day, 1 vegetable, 2 fruits and water and milk, dairy products and a carbohydrate.
Below is a list of some of the foods we offer.
Bread Breadsticks Crackers Crumpets
Pitta Bread Bagels Wraps Butter
Cheese Soft cheese Peppers Tomato’s
Celery Carrots Sweetcorn Cucumber
Apples Pears Melon Pineapple
Oranges Grapes Strawberries Raspberries
Grapefruit Blueberries Kiwi Tinned fruits
All the fruits and vegetables you can think of. We like the children to try new experiences. Obviously, allergies are considered.
We also offer different culture foods i.e. Haggis, hot cross buns, samosas, Prawn crackers, pancakes, easter cakes, biscuits. Again, the list is endless.
Enhancements
The Enhancements that we offer and would like to continue to offer so that all the children get the experiences that are important to us and there learning. These are not part of the Early Years Foundation Stage for learning.
Sports Day Christmas Singing Easter Eggs
Christmas Gift bags Christmas Party Chicken Hatching
Leavers Gift Tesco visits Fathers Day
Mothers Day Outside visits (Fire engines etc) St Georges Day
St Andrews Day Eid Ramadan
Paddy’s Day Valentines Day
Important Information
Fees must be paid to keep your child’s place unless nursery funding is received
Extra sessions (for Chavey Down and Whitegrove) outside funded hours are charged at £25.50 per session
Lunch club outside funded hours is charged at £4.00 per day
Start Here
Take the First Step
We welcome children from Chavey Down, Warfield, and the surrounding local areas. Please complete the form below to secure your child’s place at our pre-school. If you think you may be entitled to 15 or 30 hours funding, please do ask for more information.