Footsteps began in 2012 with our first nursery and pre-school in Chalfont St Peter, created from a simple belief: that children thrive when they are nurtured, valued and inspired by the world around them. Since then, Footsteps has grown into a trusted group of settings across Farnborough, Maple Cross, Watermead, Oving, Bierton and Leighton Buzzard, proudly supporting families and children from 3 months to 8 years.
Every Footsteps setting shares the same ethos; child-led learning, time in nature, and a warm, home-from-home environment combined with strong community values and professional early years education.
We believe that the quality of a nursery lies in its people. That’s why each member of our dedicated team has been carefully chosen for their warmth, creativity and commitment to children’s development.
Co-founder Kelly Smith explains:
“We continuously train and develop our teams to ensure our high standards of childcare are consistently met. Our staff bring a wealth of qualifications and experience to their roles, creating meaningful learning experiences both indoors and out. Through a Forest School approach to education, children benefit from hands-on learning and open access to outdoor space all year round.”
At Footsteps, children learn through play, exploration and meaningful experiences. Every child is unique, and we take time to understand their interests, learning style and next developmental steps. By observing each child closely and working in close partnership with parents, we create tailored learning opportunities that support:
Children are natural explorers, so our environments are designed to capture their imagination. We use authentic, natural resources and real-life objects to spark thinking, problem-solving and deep engagement—far beyond what plastic toys alone can offer.
Our locations have been purposefully chosen to offer:
From mud kitchens to music corners, construction zones to quiet reading spaces – everything at Footsteps is designed to help children feel happy, loved and inspired to learn.
We know family life can be busy, so we offer services that support both children and parents, including:
We’d love to welcome you to our Footsteps family. Find out more about your funding and how to join us here.
Tasha has been a valued member of the Footsteps family since the very beginning at our Chalfont St Peter setting, making her one of our longest-serving and most experienced team members. Throughout her journey with Footsteps, she has played an instrumental role in the growth and development of the organisation, building strong relationships with children, families and colleagues alike.
With many years of hands-on experience in early years education, Tasha has successfully managed multiple Footsteps settings, supporting teams to provide exceptional care and learning opportunities while maintaining the warm, nurturing environment that Footsteps is known for. Her extensive knowledge of childcare, leadership and safeguarding, combined with her passion for helping children thrive, makes her an invaluable mentor to both staff and managers across the group.
As Area Manager, Tasha works closely with each setting, providing guidance, support and encouragement to ensure every child receives the highest quality early years education and care. She is passionate about developing confident, skilled teams and fostering environments where children can learn, explore and flourish through play.
Tasha’s child-centred approach, experience and unwavering commitment to the Footsteps ethos have helped shaped us into the trusted, family-focused setting it is today.