You can start with a simple plane.
First set modifiers to it:
- Mirror on X and Y
- Array on X (merge option checked)
- Array on Y (merge option checked)
In edit mode grab the plane to set the origin point to bottom left.
Poke face CtrlF then choose 'poke'.
Select the outer edges.
Subdivide them W then choose 'subdivide'.
Select the bottom left and upper right corner.
SelectScale them down using S.
The modifiers: