# Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones is a full-day nursery at Blossomgate, Ripon, HG4 2AJ, in Ripon, North Yorkshire. It is registered for 40 children. Its Ofsted report card (December 2025) grades inclusion Expected standard, curriculum and teaching Expected standard, achievement Expected standard, behaviour and routines Expected standard, children's welfare and well-being Expected standard and leadership and governance Expected standard; safeguarding standards met.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/stepping-stones-ey221441  
Last checked 31 October 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: Blossomgate, Ripon, HG4 2AJ
- Registered places: 40
- Phone: 01765 692402
- Ofsted URN: EY221441

## Ofsted and official records

Report card inspection, 9 December 2025. Report cards grade each area separately; there is no single headline grade.

| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
| Curriculum and teaching | Expected standard |
| Achievement | Expected standard |
| Behaviour and routines | Expected standard |
| Children's welfare and well-being | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Expected standard |

Safeguarding standards met.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY221441

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since September 2002 (Reference EY221441). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY221441)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 9 December 2025). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY221441)
- Registered places: 40 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY221441)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 5 August 2026). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1869231)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: Blossomgate, Ripon, HG4 2AJ

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=54.137445,-1.527056

- 8 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Spa Gardens, under 0.1 miles
- Park: College Lawns, 0.2 miles
- Park: Paddies Park, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Spa Park, under 0.1 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.3 miles
- Playground: Allhallowsgate Park, 0.3 miles

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

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

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

## Ratings


## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Report card (February 2026) | yes | 0.1 miles |
| St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy | Primary | 3–11 | Standards maintained (June 2025) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Ripon Cathedral Church of England Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Standards maintained (February 2025) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| Moorside Primary School & Nursery | Primary | 4–11 | Good (September 2023) |  | 0.7 miles |
| Outwood Primary Academy Greystone | Primary | 3–11 | Report card (June 2026) | yes | 1.0 miles |
| Sharow Church of England Primary School | Primary | 3–11 |  | yes | 1.1 miles |
| Outwood Academy Ripon | Secondary | 11–18 | Good (July 2024) |  | 0.5 miles |
| Ripon Grammar School | Secondary | 11–18 | Good (January 2023) |  | 0.5 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Kindercare](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/kindercare-ey300452) | Good |  |  | 0.4 miles |
| [Happylands Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/happylands-nursery-2879488) |  |  |  | 0.6 miles |
| [Happylands Nursery/Playgroup](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/happylands-nursery-playgroup-ey493426) | Good |  |  | 0.6 miles |
| [Yellow Ribbon Preschool](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/yellow-ribbon-preschool-2900707) |  |  |  | 1.1 miles |
| [Appletrees Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/appletrees-day-nursery-ey382392) | Good |  |  | 2.1 miles |
| [Little Pippins Montessori Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-pippins-montessori-nursery-2790971) | Report card May 2026 |  |  | 3.8 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Stepping Stones's Ofsted rating?

Stepping Stones was inspected on 9 December 2025 and given an Ofsted report card. Report cards grade each area separately rather than giving one headline grade: inclusion Expected standard, curriculum and teaching Expected standard, achievement Expected standard, behaviour and routines Expected standard, children's welfare and well-being Expected standard and leadership and governance Expected standard. Safeguarding standards met.

### How many children can Stepping Stones take?

Stepping Stones is registered with Ofsted for up to 40 children at any one time.

### How do I contact Stepping Stones?

You can call 01765 692402.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY221441)
- 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.