# Step Start Nurseries Braintree

Step Start Nurseries Braintree is a full-day nursery at John Ray House, Bocking End, Braintree, CM7 9RW, in Braintree, Essex. It is registered for 75 children. Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection in January 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It has a Google rating of 2.8 from 10 reviews (November 2026).

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/step-start-nurseries-braintree-2598104  
Last checked 4 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: John Ray House, Bocking End, Braintree, CM7 9RW
- Registered places: 75
- Phone: 01376 402001
- Website: http://www.stepstart.co.uk/
- Ofsted URN: 2598104

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection on 12 January 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Good
- Behaviour and attitudes: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Leadership and management: Good

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2598104

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since September 2020 (Reference 2598104). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2598104)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 12 January 2023). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2598104)
- Registered places: 75 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2598104)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 15 November 2024). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1264397)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: John Ray House, Bocking End, Braintree, CM7 9RW

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.881155,0.552848

- Station: Braintree, 0.4 miles
- 9 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Weavers Field, under 0.1 miles
- Park: Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens, under 0.1 miles
- Park: Braintree & Bocking Recreation Ground, 0.2 miles
- Park: Bradford Meadows, 0.3 miles
- Park: Meadowside Park, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.1 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Essex there are about 2.9 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 2.8 out of 5 from 10 reviews (as of 4 November 2026)

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Francis Catholic Primary School, Braintree | Primary | 4–11 | Good (June 2024) |  | 0.2 miles |
| John Bunyan Primary School and Nursery | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (February 2024) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| St Michael's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Requires improvement (April 2025) |  | 0.6 miles |
| Great Bradfords Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | Standards maintained (March 2025) |  | 0.7 miles |
| Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School | Primary | 3–7 | School remains Good (May 2022) | yes | 0.7 miles |
| The Edith Borthwick School |  | 3–19 | Report card (January 2026) | yes | 0.8 miles |
| John Ray Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | Standards maintained (March 2025) |  | 1.0 miles |
| John Ray Infant School | Primary | 2–7 | School remains Good (November 2019) | yes | 1.0 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Yumbo Daycare](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/yumbo-daycare-ey490814) | Good |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| [Kidorable Pre School And Childcare Services](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/kidorable-pre-school-and-childcare-services-ey439295) | Good |  |  | 0.2 miles |
| [Little Me Preschool Braintree](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-me-preschool-braintree-2826505) |  |  |  | 0.3 miles |
| [Christ Church Pre School Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/christ-church-pre-school-nursery-ey495320) | Good |  |  | 0.4 miles |
| [Spring - Seesaw](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/spring-seesaw-ey539461) | Good |  |  | 0.5 miles |
| [Spring - Carousel](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/spring-carousel-ey539434) | Good |  |  | 0.7 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Step Start Nurseries Braintree's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Step Start Nurseries Braintree Good at its inspection on 12 January 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can Step Start Nurseries Braintree take?

Step Start Nurseries Braintree is registered with Ofsted for up to 75 children at any one time.

### What is the nearest station to Step Start Nurseries Braintree?

Braintree is the nearest station we know of, 0.4 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Step Start Nurseries Braintree?

You can call 01376 402001 and visit www.stepstart.co.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2598104)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 4 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Step+Start+Nurseries+Braintree&query_place_id=ChIJk_OnCn7x2EcRY7J9ygRwrmE)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.