J has become a very bright intelligent little boy with an amazing future ahead of him and you have played a massive part in that. It has been brilliant to meet other people in my situation and staff who truly understand the struggles of everyday life. I can't thank you enough for all the hard work you have put in to preparing J for the years ahead!
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Our story
A Vision for Change
First Steps was founded in the early 1990s by local families, health visitors, and teachers who recognised the urgent need for high-quality, flexible, and affordable childcare. Their goal was to remove barriers to employment and ensure every child had the best possible start in life. As a grassroots charity rooted in the community, First Steps has always prioritised recruiting, training, and employing local people—offering fair pay and good working conditions to demonstrate that families can thrive when supported into work.
A Way Out: First Steps in Overcoming Deprivation.
In the face of significant deprivation in Twerton and Whiteway, there is hope. First Steps is ideally positioned and geared to counter the effects of deprivation. We offer quality childcare and support for families, ensuring that children make progress and are ready for school. Our services also enable parents to engage in training, education, and employment, creating a brighter future for the entire community.
What We Offer
In addition to our community nurseries and specialist early years services, First Steps provides a welcoming hub at our community and specialist nurseries. Here, families can access stay-and-play activities for children with special educational needs.
Health visitors are co-located and deliver care through the Healthy Child Programme at First Steps Twerton.
We fundraise to ensure every child receives hot, nutritious meals and snacks as well as funding enriching trips and activities—because every child deserves the chance to thrive.
Baby Explorer
Growing the Vision
First Steps evolved from a community nursery to an Early Excellence Centre in 2001, followed by achieving Neighbourhood Nursery status in 2002. In 2003 the nursery centre was designated as Bath and North East Somerset’s first Sure Start Children’s Centre.
In 2004 First Steps moved into a new purpose built Centre in Woodhouse Road, Twerton, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Nicholson (a local businessman) and Pine Tree Trust, the Diocesan Board of Education, and to two capital grants from the Early Excellence programme and the National Lottery. This became our ‘headquarters’ and registered office, as well as housing expanded nursery provision and family support services.
Also in 2004 First Steps took over (at B&NES request) a private nursery next door to Moorlands Infant School in Oldfield Park. After development work, First Steps Moorlands Children’s Centre achieved its designation as our second Sure Start Children’s Centre in August 2006. Our Company name was changed in early 2007 to become ‘First Steps (Bath), with the service delivered from Woodhouse Road becoming ‘First Steps Twerton Children’s Centre’
Securing the Future
In 2018 First Steps took on the contract for the Early Years Specialist service, Bath Opportunity Preschool, based at Three Ways School and a rebuild of the Community Children's Centre at Moorlands.
First Steps continues to work in close partnership with parents, professionals and the local community delivering services that enable families to develop positive, loving relationships with their children and support their continuing development.