stepsnursery.com

What it is

Steps is a nursery/daycare management SaaS product positioned as “Nursery management, without the admin.” It brings bookings, check-ins, billing, payment tracking, bookkeeping, documents, and reporting into a single web-based system, with the goal of reducing paper workflows and manual errors.

Core features, collaboration, and security

Its features cover the day-to-day operations of childcare providers: Bookings & occupancy supports room planning, sessions, ad-hoc days, discounts, and custom closure days; Registers & attendance includes registers, staff planning, pick-up lists, and PDF exports; Billing & payments supports batch invoices, government funding, discounts, and payment tracking; Book-Keeping can track bank transactions and export data for accountants. The system also offers secure document storage, email reminders, and exportable reports. For collaboration, staff can access the web app through secure login links, with role-based access control and audit trails. Security information includes TLS-encrypted connections, regular backups, and an option for UK data residency.

Pricing and trial

Pricing is very simple: one Full access plan at £45/month, including all features, unlimited children and staff, unlimited support, no long-term contract, and cancellation at any time. The official FAQ says users can get in touch to set up a free trial, but it does not mention a permanently free plan. With no limits on the number of children or staff, it can be cost-effective for growing small nurseries.

Pros and cons

The strengths are its focused feature set and transparent pricing. Common needs for childcare providers—bookings, attendance, billing, funding rules, documents, and basic bookkeeping—are all handled in one system, and the public materials also mention good customer support. The drawbacks are that the public pages do not clearly explain third-party integrations, payment methods, API/webhooks, a mobile app, or a parent portal. Accounting export is available, but it is not clear which accounting software is supported.

Who it’s for and access from China

Steps is better suited to UK-based nurseries, daycares, and newly launched childcare providers, especially teams that want to get online quickly and reduce the cost of outsourcing invoicing and bookkeeping. Access from China cannot be determined from the available text, and payment options are not disclosed. If used in mainland China, users would still need to evaluate network connectivity, GBP payments, compatibility with UK childcare funding rules, and fit with local regulations and language requirements. Alternatives to compare include Famly, Brightwheel, Procare, Kinderly, as well as local Chinese kindergarten management systems and DingTalk/WeCom ecosystem solutions.