Footprints Preschool

Toy spiders, sea creatures measured with bricks and chicks hatching made learning tangible at Footprints Preschool in June 2023. Its church-hall setting in Addlestone provided the backdrop for activities shaped around children's interests, with opportunities to play independently and alongside others.

Ofsted rated the preschool Good on 7 June 2023. Footprints has capacity for 40 children; the children attending at that visit were aged 0 to 4, rather than this being a confirmed current age range.

In June 2023, learning combined activities directed by adults with play children chose themselves. The early years foundation stage, the required framework for children's learning and care, brought together play, communication, physical development and practical learning.

Mathematics had concrete examples: older children compared sea creatures using bricks, while younger children counted a toy spider's legs and helped complete a chalk version outdoors. These activities connected counting and measurement with things children could handle or picture.

Books also prompted participation. Younger children selected books and pointed out animals; older children discussed stories and imagined what might happen next. Makaton signs gave children another way to communicate. Outdoors, bicycles, chalk drawing and balancing activities supported movement, while recycling activities and hatching chicks introduced care for the wider world.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that staff collaboration with other professionals supported good progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff recognised signs of possible harm, understood reporting routes and refreshed their safeguarding knowledge through training.

In June 2023, older children practised independence by washing their hands before lunch, serving themselves drinks and eating unaided. Care routines worked less consistently for babies: milk sometimes needed a lengthy cooling period, and snack arrangements could cut short an enjoyable singing activity. This matters because the youngest children's care needs and play both depend on well-timed routines.

A weekly learning newsletter helped families connect activities at preschool with learning at home that June. Some other information-sharing methods were harder for parents to access. Communication therefore had a useful regular element, alongside an accessibility issue requiring attention.

Footprints Preschool is at Parish Office, St Pauls Church, Addlestone, KT15 1TB.

In June 2023, opening hours were 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. These describe the arrangements at that visit. The preschool also received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Babies' daily routines. In June 2023, milk preparation and interruptions for snacks disrupted some younger children's care and activities. A visit should explore how those routines now fit around babies' needs.
• Accessible parent communication. The June 2023 weekly newsletter supported home learning, but some information was difficult for parents to retrieve. Discuss how essential updates reach every family.
• Term-time planning. The June 2023 opening pattern followed term time. What attendance patterns and opening hours would apply to your child's booking now?

Footprints merits consideration by families who value practical, interest-led learning: its June 2023 examples connected mathematics, stories, communication and outdoor movement with children's play. The Good judgement sits alongside specific improvements needed in babies' routines and parent information. Those two issues deserve attention when deciding whether the preschool fits your child and family.