We painted them with multiple coats of grey textured masonry paint. It gave the steps a much more professional and neat look than just the bare concrete as after angle-grinding them, they were still uneven colour.

I think if you could find some Decking boards, maybe used, make a landing outside the door meeting the wall. It could be supported with a noggin along the wall and then you can make more steps and less steep, leading away from the painted wall. They could then fill the area between the window/door wall and the wall with the flower basket on it. It would be a lot more child friendly. Don't forget to cloak the area where the handrail would be close to the window. you would still need access to the window for cleaning, possibly stair Balustrade's/Spindles under a Bannister.

Im no expert either but as E D says the decking would still need to be raised on a frame of tanalised bearers so the decking timber has air flow. If the planks are in direct contact with the concrete they will rot much quicker.

Thanks all. I think paving could be the way to go then. There's already flagstones and paving around the corner of the house, so it would create some continuity. Slight hiccup is that I've been searching for similar slabs (Bradstone Wetherdale Cotswold), and they don't make them any more. They're a riven, stone-effect concrete. I'm emailing Bradstone to find out what the nearest, current product is. I may do a small amount of decking around the veranda doors as my dogs struggle with the step down at night, plus I need to consider which would give the best rainwater removal and septic access. (I'm also struggling to find smooth decking around here, and grooved doesn't age too well.)