Footprints Pre-schools

Children's interests set the direction at Footprints Pre-schools: an idea that catches their attention can become a shared activity, with resources gathered and learning recorded around it. This play-led approach sits within The Stables, in the grounds of St Thomas' Church in Fair Oak. The setting has capacity for 20 children and welcomes children from two years old to school age.

At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated Footprints Good overall, recognising enthusiastic participation in play while identifying opportunities to improve emotional support and the challenge adults bring to children's learning. That balance matters. Independent play has a clear place here, but knowing when an adult should join in is equally important.

School preparation also has a practical shape: School Starter Sessions give children approaching school a dedicated transition programme during the summer term.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the framework for learning and development: children learn through play, with activities matched to their stage of development alongside opportunities to choose their own play. Footprints adds In The Moment Planning (ITMP), which turns a child's interest into an activity that other children can share. Staff decide what the activity should teach, assemble the materials and record what happened. The starting point is the child rather than a fixed activity alone.

Planning also takes account of individual needs and next steps. For parents, the useful distinction is between following an interest and simply leaving play to unfold: this approach includes a deliberate learning intention and a record of the outcome. Free play and adult input sit alongside one another, with support offered when needed.

In May 2022, children had sustained stretches of play and could choose their materials and where to use them. Sand exploration and water play with toy ducks provided practical examples. Familiar story props helped staff build play skills, making books something children could act out as well as listen to.

Storytelling brought different demands for younger and older children in May 2022. Younger children moved and joined in with dragon stories; older children encountered new vocabulary through animal tales. These examples give reading a social, active dimension rather than reducing it to sitting quietly with a book.

Outdoor and Community Life

In May 2022, outings connected learning with the surrounding village. Children explored nature on local walks, visited the library and bought snacks for their peers. Trips to nearby parks gave them opportunities to run, climb and tackle more demanding play equipment. These were experiences beyond the pre-school building, linking conversation, movement and everyday community life.

School Starter Sessions run over 10 consecutive weeks during the summer term, beginning at the end of April, on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. They are intended for children leaving for school in September. This gives transition its own place in the calendar rather than treating school preparation as a single farewell activity.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and highlighted the individual support for children with SEND, including work to address gaps in learning. These are dated judgements, rather than a guarantee about every child's experience today.

Current staff responsibilities include a designated safeguarding lead, an assistant safeguarding lead, a SENCO and a behaviour management lead. There is also a snack and lunchtime supervisor. The allocation of these roles gives families clear responsibilities around welfare, additional support and the eating part of the day.

Experience with additional needs includes autism, Down Syndrome, sensory processing difficulties and speech and language delay. The practical value is a starting point for discussing a child's particular needs, rather than assuming that a diagnosis alone determines the support required.

In May 2022, staff worked with outside professionals and local schools, and exchanged information with parents to support learning at home. A team of six worked with the children at that time. That headcount belongs to the inspection period and is separate from the setting's total capacity.

Sharing children's activities with families involves a consent form. This gives parents a say in the documentation used to share those moments. Family members can also take part in activities and events, bringing parent involvement into the pre-school's life as well as its communication.

Sessions and Attendance

Normal opening hours are 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, subject to changes indicated on the events calendar. The afternoon finish is an important practical boundary for families arranging care around work.

In May 2022, Footprints operated during school terms only. Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by telephone on 07540 252454. Families can arrange a viewing or a trial session with their child.

Getting There

The address is The Stables, Fair Oak Court, Mortimers Lane, Eastleigh, SO50 7BG. The building is within the grounds of St Thomas' Church in Fair Oak.

Funding and Paid Extras

Footprints accepts Early Years Education funding for children aged two, three and four; children who do not receive that funding are charged by the hour. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

A separate, voluntary termly contribution covers snacks, activities and non-food consumables. The snack element includes fruit, cheese, bread and dairy alternatives; non-food items include spare wipes and nappies, additional sun cream, tissues and paper towels. The activity element covers Mobile Farm and Yoga sessions. These sit within the voluntary contribution rather than being described as compulsory charges; the extra charges page sets out the categories.

• Adult involvement in play. In May 2022, staff sometimes missed opportunities to extend children's learning, and emotional support needed greater consistency. During a trial session, look at how adults add challenge and help a child work through frustration.
• The afternoon finish. Normal opening ends at 3pm. Ask which attendance arrangements and holiday pattern would apply to your child so that the booking fits your working week.
• Individual support. A SENCO and behaviour management lead are part of the staff structure, alongside experience of several additional needs. Use the trial session to discuss how support would work for your child.
• Voluntary contributions. Snacks, Mobile Farm and Yoga sessions, and non-food supplies sit within a voluntary termly contribution. Keep that distinction in mind when reviewing the written quotation.

Footprints suits families seeking play-led preschool care for a child aged two or older who can work with a 3pm finish. In The Moment Planning gives children's interests a defined role in learning, while School Starter Sessions provide a concrete transition programme. The May 2022 findings also leave two useful tests for a visit: consistent help with emotions and timely adult involvement in play. Those everyday interactions matter as much as the programme names.