Steps

The Pre-School
Aims and objectives
The After-School Club
Aims and objectives

Welcome to Steps!

Steps supports the work of the schools and families of our area with two church-based groups:

A pre-school, helping children to grow and develop and prepare for school.

An after-school club, caring for children at the end of the school day.

We hope that who we are shines through what we do at Steps. Our aims are simple: Great quality care provided by qualified and friendly staff, activities that stimulate and help children to grow together, and a place of enjoyment and fun.

You go to an interactive map for the location of Steps by clicking here.

Both our groups are registered with, and inspected by, Ofsted, in accordance with the 1989 Children Act, so that we can be sure our standards of education and care are high, and they are supported by a dedicated management committee made up of staff, parents and members of St. Stephen's Church.

We're a Christian organisation, so all our work at Steps has a Christian ethos. We believe each child is an individual, precious and valued by God, and we always want to ensure that belief is reflected in our care. Of course, we always ensure we respect the faiths of any child who is at Steps.

If you'd like more information about either of the groups, then you can email the Steps office by clicking here, or ring us on (01732) 363642.

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The Pre-School

St Stephen's Pre-School is a church-based play group offering quality care and education for children aged two to five.

You can view the latest Ofsted Inspection report from their website here.

We're open during term time and plan our dates to fit in with local primary schools:

• Morning sessions: 9am to 11.45am
• Afternoon session: 12.45pm to 3.30pm

The pre-school meets at St Stephen's Church Hall, Waterloo Road, Tonbridge, and is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

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Aims and objectives

Believing that children learn through play, we aim to nurture early skills through a broad, balanced and relevant programme of pre-school activities.  As all children are unique and develop at different rates, we seek to provide activities to suit the needs of each child.

We aim to provide a caring, happy and stimulating environment where each child is valued as an individual.  Christian values and spiritual development are central to our ethos.  We seek to nurture a simple understanding of the Christian faith and a respect for other religions.  We also work with parents, carers and other professionals to support the children's families and encourage our staff to develop their skills.

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The After-School Club

St Stephen's After-School Club offers a place for children to go between the end of the school day and when parents get home from work. Children can meet their friends, and perhaps do activities that wouldn't be possible at home.

We can take regular or one-off bookings.

Qualified staff collect children from Sussex Road and escort them to the club, where they can choose to relax or join in a range of activities. A home-made healthy meal is provided for the children each evening.

You can view the latest Ofsted Inspection report from their website here.

The club runs during term time and is open from the end of the school day until 6pm.

The after-school club meets at St Stephen's Church Community Centre, Waterloo Road, Tonbridge, and is a member of the 4 Children network.

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Aims and objectives

We believe that children learn and develop through play, structured activity and interaction with other children and adults.  As all children are unique, we arrange our activities to suit the needs of each child and aim to provide an environment in which everyone is valued as an individual.

While Christian values are important to the club's ethos, we do not seek to promote the Christian faith and we recognise the need to respect other religions. We work in partnership with parents and carers to encourage children to participate fully in the club's activities while recognising that children need to relax and unwind after a full day at school.

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