Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-school

Hatching chicks, a lending library and an outdoor shop give Footprints an unusually tangible account of early learning. In August 2023, children watched eggs develop in an incubator, borrowed stories to share at home and helped shape their play spaces. These were experiences children could take part in, rather than simply watch.

At its 4 August 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, finding that learning developed from children's existing skills and prepared them for school. That judgement belongs to that date. The improvement point concerned helping parents understand the approach to education and care more clearly, so learning at home and nursery could connect.

Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-school serves children aged 6–60 months in Atherton, with 135 places in total. Its address is Alderford Street, M46 9DS.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: everyday play supports growing skills alongside children's wellbeing. In August 2023, learning at Footprints built on what children could already do, with activities becoming more demanding as they moved between rooms.

Life cycles became something to follow over time. Children observed caterpillars and tadpoles, then watched chicks hatch from incubated eggs. Preschool children cared for fresh flowers in their room. These activities gave children living things to observe and practical responsibilities to carry out.

Different stages had different emphases in August 2023. Babies played with wall-mounted cog puzzles at a height they could reach; toddlers explored materials through sensory activities, while preschool children practised recognising feelings and managing emotions. Younger children also removed pomegranate seeds, giving small fingers a precise task with real fruit.

Outdoor and Community Life

In August 2023, children's ideas influenced the environment. An outdoor shop, a construction space and artwork involving lily pads developed from their interests. Children had a say in what they played with. That matters for families who value children making choices within their nursery day.

Outings at that time included a fabric shop, a play centre, the library and a park. The experiences extended learning beyond the nursery's indoor and outdoor activity areas, connecting children with everyday places in their community.

Relationships and Communication

In August 2023, each child had a key person, and staff learnt words from children's home languages when English was an additional language. Settling centred on building relationships and responding to individual needs. For a child learning to communicate in a new setting, familiar words could provide a useful connection with home.

The lending library also linked nursery and family life in August 2023. Children could borrow books whenever they wished, and staff made recordings of themselves reading stories for children to access. Families received activities to try at home, although the improvement point was that explanations of the nursery's educational approach needed to be clearer.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the August 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described teaching adapted to children's differing needs, including sensory resources such as bubble tubes and vibration pillows. Those resources gave children different ways to engage with activities and use the cosy area.

An oral health station in August 2023 offered families bamboo toothbrushes, toothpaste and a timer for brushing. A chef prepared the menu at that time. These details put everyday health alongside learning, with practical resources families could take home.

Footprints is on Alderford Street in Atherton, M46 9DS. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. Those closures matter when arranging care around work commitments.

The branch has an online enquiry form and a nursery visit request route. Families can request a morning or afternoon visit, with the exact appointment confirmed afterwards. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

In August 2023, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise about a family's present entitlement or attendance arrangement.

• Learning at home. The August 2023 improvement point concerned explaining education and care to parents more clearly. During a visit, ask how staff now explain your child's next steps and connect them with activities at home.
• Care for the youngest children. The accepted age range starts at 6 months. Ask to see how the youngest children's daily routines and room arrangements would work for your child.
• Christmas cover. A week-long Christmas closure sits alongside bank holiday closures. Families needing care across the year should build these breaks into their plans.

Footprints suits Atherton families seeking care across the year who value practical exploration, books shared with home and children contributing ideas to their surroundings. The August 2023 picture has real substance: living things, sensory materials and community outings all gave children something concrete to learn from. Clear explanations of how that learning connects with home remain the most useful point to explore during a visit.