Our Ethos
Discover the values that guide our growing family of nursery brands.
At iStep Learning, our mission is to provide safe, healthy, and inspiring educational environments where children and educators are empowered to grow, learn, and thrive. We believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life, and we are dedicated to making that a reality by supporting and elevating every nursery within our group.
Pillars of Care
iStep Learning is a growing force in UK early years education. We are committed to becoming a leading multi-disciplinary group — one that raises the bar for quality, invests in its people, and takes each nursery in our family to a new level of success and growth.
We believe the best outcomes for children happen when families, educators, and communities work as one. We strive to create and uphold new standards across our group, fostering an environment where collaboration between parents, practitioners, and partners is at the heart of everything we do.
Care is not a policy for us, it is the reason we exist. Every decision we make as a group is guided by a genuine commitment to the children, families, and staff in our nurseries. We don’t just talk about values; we build them into the everyday culture of every setting we operate.
Our Core Values
Everything we do begins with the child. We empower our nursery teams to listen, observe, and adapt, ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and valued.
We are uncompromising on safety and standards. Through rigorous group-wide safeguarding policies and continuous training, we ensure peace of mind for every parent.
We know that happy, supported educators create happy, thriving children. As a national group, we invest heavily in the professional growth and wellbeing of the people across all our settings.
A nursery is the heart of its community. We encourage our individual nurseries to build strong, open partnerships with parents, carers, and their local neighbourhoods.
Our Story
May 2023
iStep Learning is incorporated
Sept 2023
The Nursery Family & Bambinos join the group
Nov 2023
Little Explorers joins the family
Dec 2023
Frogmore, our first Montessori nursery
Feb 2024
Muddy Boots joins, in Exeter
Apr 2024
Stepping Stones joins
May 2024
Home by the Sea joins
Oct 2024
Rocking Horse joins, in Godalming
Sept 2026
West Green Day Nursery & Pre-School joins Little Explorers
Today
24 nurseries across the UK & growing
The iStep Family
iStep Learning brings together 24 wonderful nurseries across the UK under multiple distinct brands. We don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, we celebrate the unique heritage and local character of each nursery, while providing them with expert support and resources. It means your child gets the warm, personal care of a local setting, backed by industry-leading standards.