First Footsteps, Leyland

Two play areas give younger and older children separate spaces at First Footsteps, Leyland: one serves children aged two and below, the other those aged three and over. That division is a useful part of its character, allowing families to weigh the environment for their child's stage rather than treating the nursery as one undifferentiated space.

At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall. The strongest examples centred on everyday learning: recognising belongings, sharing books and taking ideas from the town centre back into play. The improvement priority was equally practical: staff needed to become more consistent in using conversation to deepen children's thinking.

The nursery accommodates children from birth to five and has 72 places in total. Full-day, morning and afternoon patterns give families different ways to organise attendance.

Rooms and Ages

Baby Rooms, Toddler Room and Pre-School mark the progression through the nursery. Moves between these stages are planned around each child, including the eventual transition to school. The separate play areas for younger and older children add a physical distinction to that progression.

In November 2022, learning about identity developed through increasingly demanding tasks: babies looked at photographs of themselves and friends, toddlers used pictures and names to locate belongings, and preschool children recognised written names. Familiar objects gave children something meaningful to practise with. Finding a cup or recognising a friend's peg connected learning with doing things independently.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, that means looking at how everyday play, language, relationships and practical tasks contribute to a child's development, rather than judging the day by a list of formal lessons.

In November 2022, adults shared stories with expression and humour, while children discussed favourite books and traditional tales. Mathematical experiences also changed with age: younger children encountered words for shape and size, while preschool children counted collections and recognised numerals. These examples make the progression tangible, from hearing useful vocabulary to applying it.

In November 2022, local outings gave children ideas to explore in play. In November 2022, children recreated arches after seeing archways in the town centre, connecting a local experience with construction back at nursery. Children also selected paintings for individual wall frames. Choosing what to display gave them a say in how their own work was celebrated.

Care includes helping children through changes of room and preparing for the move to school. Transitions are carefully planned for the individual child, while communication and feedback from parents form part of the nursery's approach to improving its work. For families, that makes the relationship with staff relevant beyond the first settling period.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that staff identified additional needs promptly, worked with families and other agencies, and supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to make good progress. These are dated judgements, rather than a claim about every child's experience today.

In November 2022, adults gave children time to explain feelings and encouraged them to work through disagreements. Children helped one another with difficult tasks and shared resources. Care was also visible in small interactions, including adults seeking babies' permission before wiping their noses. Such examples show how respectful language can sit alongside practical care.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is 53 Fox Lane, Leyland, PR25 1HA. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; the nursery operates across the year and closes on bank holidays. Full-day, morning and afternoon attendance patterns offer different ways to fit nursery around family routines.

Enquiries can be made by telephone, email or the contact form. This provides a direct route for discussing joining arrangements.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes 15- and 30-hour entitlements for two-, three- and four-year-olds, subject to eligibility. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

For funded attendance, nursery-supplied meals carry a separate, voluntary charge; families may instead provide all meals if they notify the manager in writing before each term begins. That choice matters when comparing the practical cost and preparation involved in different attendance patterns.

• Learning conversations. The November 2022 improvement priority concerned uneven skill in extending children's thinking through play and discussion. On a visit, ask how staff now develop and review those interactions.
• Age-separated play. Children aged two and below have a different play area from those aged three and over. Ask how your child's room uses its area and how the transition between stages is handled.
• Funded meals. Bringing all meals requires written notice before the start of each term. Families choosing this arrangement need to plan it alongside their attendance pattern.

First Footsteps, Leyland suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions as well as full-day attendance across the year. Its separate play areas and individually planned transitions give parents concrete features to consider, while the November 2022 examples show learning connected to belongings, books and the surrounding town. The qualification is the same one that matters in daily practice: conversations should consistently help children take their ideas further.