The Footprints Experience
Working as an EYFS lead and Deputy Headteacher for 13 years, Rhiannon and her team have created a curriculum with the perfect balance of high quality adult led sessions with ample learning through play in a stimulating child led environment.
Small numbers of children mean that we can focus on each child’s individual interests in order to create engaging and tailored experiences that meets their specific needs and enables them to make maximum progress in their educational journey, whilst having fun!
Pete has worked as a travelling demonstration chef in England and Northern Ireland, employed by businesses and Local Authorities to educate parents and children on healthy eating. Once described as a 'Poor Man's Jamie Oliver', Pete provides nutritious home cooked meals for the children at Footprints - we also like the children to have as much chance as possible to cook too!
Speaking and listening are essential skills for children to acquire as early as possible in order to access learning. Footprints Nursery gained 'Communication Friendly Status' in 2025, which means all staff are Elklan trained and therefore the teaching of language and vocabulary development as well as phonics is our particular specialism.
Music helps children to tune in and activates all areas of the brain. We, threfore, use singing as part of our daily routine and to enhance learning. The younger children learn 'Sing and Sign' which uses Makaton to help with their communication. The older ones learn songs to help memorise information, such as numbers and shapes, in order to recall it later. We often have a music session from Pete who brings his guitar/ ukulele or harmonica for the children to join in with.
Our garden space is complete with a mud kitchen, water wall, sandpit, climbing frame and deconstructed role play area...the list goes on. We strongly believe in high quality outdoor learning as it offers unique opportunities for understanding the world as well as exposes the children to a degree of risk that you can’t gain from inside.
The indoor space has been designed to have a homely character with all rooms leading to the outdoor garden, allowing children to have free flow access between both areas and thus enables a rich learning space for children to confidently explore. The indoor rooms have a calming corner, sand and sensory trays, painting activities, mark making stations, maths shelves, small world areas and a role play area.
We love being in the heart of Acomb and try to be as much part of the community as possible. Our six seater push bus, 4 seater wagon, double push chairs and our walkodile allows us to safely explore the local area. We are so lucky to have the library, a bakery, a post office, a pet shop and even West bank park on our doorstep! The huge forest area at West bank park is perfect for our Wellie Walks where we take our learning outside. The children take part in activities that increase their confidence, communication, problem solving skills and of course their emotional well-being. The children absolutely love it!
