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Footsteps Wilmslow

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2022)
·
4.8(26 parent reviews) ·Tudor Road, Dean Row, Wilmslow, SK9 2HB · Cheshire East
Number of places
92 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2022
Local authority
Cheshire East

About this day nursery

Footsteps Wilmslow is a well-established children's day nursery that has been serving the community since 2000. Originally known as Oakdean Nursery, it rebranded to Footsteps Wilmslow in November 2018, while retaining its experienced team and management.

The nursery operates from a modern, purpose-built facility in the heart of Wilmslow, catering to families from surrounding areas including Handforth, Woodford, Bramhall, Alderley Edge, and Macclesfield. The setting prioritises children's safety with a biometric entry system and CCTV.

Footsteps Wilmslow is committed to fostering an enriching and engaging learning environment, with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities and a philosophy centred around 'Nurture, Nature, and New'. They offer a wide range of learning opportunities designed to encourage children's immersion in their early years journey, ensuring each child's uniqueness and potential are nurtured.

The nursery takes pride in its dedicated staff, who are recruited for their experience, qualifications, and caring approach, and are regularly trained in Paediatric First Aid.

Our ethos

We deliver an enriching and engaging early year's programme that will nurture your child's uniqueness and potential. With us your child will always be an individual. Being outdoors gives children the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of imaginary, sensory and physical activities. We believe that by combining traditional values with new, leading edge facilities and practices, we deliver the best learning environment that the children of today deserve.

What it's like

Children are greeted by caring and happy staff and form lovely bonds with their key person, helping them to feel safe, secure and ready to learn. They settle quickly and move confidently throughout the nursery due to carefully planned transitions. Children engage in exciting, hands-on sensory activities that are inclusive and inspire learning through play, making good progress in relation to their starting points.

Established since 2000Modern purpose-built facilityStrong emphasis on outdoor learningBiometric entry and CCTV for safety

Pricing & funding

Fees are calculated over 52 weeks and billed monthly in 12 equal instalments. Stretched funding is available over 51 weeks of the year, with specific funded sessions running daily. Funded hours cover core education, while consumables like food, nappies, and extra activities are charged separately on a voluntary basis.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Funded hours stretched weekly£11.18 / hour
  • Funded hours stretched weekly£22.35 / hour
  • Funded hours stretched monthly£47.5 / hour
  • Funded hours stretched monthly£95.0 / hour

Good to know

  • Non-funded fees are calculated over 52 weeks and spread equally across 12 monthly bills.
  • Funding can be stretched over 51 weeks of the year, providing 11.18 or 22.35 hours per week.
  • Funded hours are delivered in specific daily sessions: 10.33am-2.16pm and 2.16pm-6.00pm.
  • Food, snacks, nappies, wipes, creams, Calpol, and additional activities are excluded from funded hours.

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am-6.00pm Monday to Friday 51 weeks a year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Footsteps Wilmslow

Last inspected 24 November 2022

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are greeted by caring and happy staff and form lovely bonds with their key person, helping them to feel safe, secure and ready to learn. They settle quickly and move confidently throughout the nursery due to carefully planned transitions. Children engage in exciting, hands-on sensory activities that are inclusive and inspire learning through play, making good progress in relation to their starting points.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff develop children's communication skills well by asking well-thought-out questions and encouraging speaking.
  • Children have many opportunities to learn about the world through visits from professionals, story characters, and outings to care homes and garden centres.
  • Staff know their key children very well and have accurate knowledge of their progress, planning next steps effectively.
  • Parents regard the nursery highly and receive regular updates and ideas to support learning at home.
  • Children who prefer to learn outdoors are supported well, developing physical skills and learning about nature through planned activities.

Areas to develop

  • 1plan more frequent opportunities for older children to practise their independence skills, enabling them to carry out more activities for themselves.
Inspection #10235405 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Staff work with other professionals appropriately to ensure children's individual needs are supported, following education and care plans and interweaving specific support into learning for all children.

Outdoor space

Children who prefer to learn outdoors are supported well. They seek out calm spaces in the fresh air to enjoy books together. Children also develop their physical skills through climbing and running within the outdoor space. Staff plan activities that enable children to maximise their time outdoors, helping them learn about nature and develop positive attitudes to being outside in all weather.

Parent Reviews of Footsteps Wilmslow

4.8
(26)
Helen Brook
5 months ago

Amazing nursery , my two boys have loved being at footsteps . Leo left in July to start school and still talks about all the staff and how he misses it . Highly recommend , so warm And welcoming .

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Shirelle Green
5 months ago

My daughter attended Footsteps from 9 months old until she left to start school in September. She absolutely loved her time there and made fantastic progress – developing socially, emotionally, and academically. The staff were always kind, caring, and professional, creating a safe and nurturing environment that helped her thrive. Their support made a huge difference for me as a working parent, giving me complete peace of mind every day. We’re so grateful for everything the team has done and would highly recommend Footsteps to any parent looking for a warm, supportive, and high-quality setting for their child.

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Amy Garrett
5 months ago

My nephew went to nursery here and has progressed so much over the years with his learning. He is thriving in reception at primary school. The early years staff have been amazing with him, so caring and brilliant with all the children and pushing them all to thrive and learn no matter what their need is. Would recommend this nursery!

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Katy Barber-Kivell
5 months ago

My son started here at 9 months old in the bunnies room and left in August after completing preschool in owls. He enjoyed a variety of activities, had a wealth of experiences from regularly visiting a local care home and community garden to visitors that came to nursery such as the police, fire service, doctor and pilot. His favourite part of his nursery day was venturing out in the spacious garden to either dig in the exploratory area, climb or pedal a tricycle.

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Niall Kivell
5 months ago

My son went to this nursery from 9 months old until he left for school in September. All the staff are so caring and loving, like a family away from home - three of his key persons particularly standout, Katie G who was his first in Bunnies and supported his transition into nursery life, Jess for support with his speech and language while he was in Fox Cubs and Malaika while he was in Owls for nurturing his curiosity through her experiments. His first parents evening at primary school was full of positives and he is hitting or exceeding all his targets, part of this is the play and experiences he had while being at Footsteps! Thanks from a proud Daddy!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Footsteps Wilmslow. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: March 2011

  • November 2022Good
  • January 2017Good
  • December 2013Good
  • March 2011Good

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