Who we are

Denis Mair and Kelly Smith opened Footsteps in January 2012 and since then they have provided care and education to local children from the ages of 3 months to 8 years. The team’s extensive qualifications and experience ensure that the children gain a high quality learning experience; whether it be indoors or out.

Kelly says: “We continuously train and develop our staff, ensuring that our high standards are meticulously met.

All sites are at a easily accessible location and access to a lot of outside space. With our Maple Cross site located on the grounds of Maple Cross JMI School, Watermead and Farnborough being ideally located in the local scout hut.

We adopt a Forest School style education allowing hands-on learning and a free-flow approach, allowing the children access to our outdoors space, at all times. We have an allotment, which firstly provide a great learning environment, as well as, providing seasonal organic produce for your child’s meals and snacks.

As a parent myself, I understand the requirement for flexible childcare with flexible hours, so why not give us a call and let us know how we can help. Did you know we provide term-time fees (for teachers) and for our older years operate school drop offs and pick-ups?”

At Footsteps, we are pleased to provide you with a full range of services, providing a warm, caring and stimulating learning environment which includes:

• Flexible sessions on a full or part-time basis
• A complete childcare service, from breakfast to after-school
• Access to a variety of sports and clubs
• Qualified, caring and experienced staff
• Free nappies and wipes!
• Local school drop offs and pick-ups

“On a personal note, I would like to thank our amazing, dedicated staff. Without their hard work and effort we could not achieved our excellent OFSTED and parent reviews.”

Food & Nutrition

Liz is our head chef at Footsteps who lovingly plans all of our menus. All of our meals are freshly prepared in-house and we often have some little helpers assisting with picking our freshly grown vegetables from our allotment.

“I feel that it is really important for children to understand where vegetables comes from. There is nothing better than digging up fresh produce, preparing them and serving them to the children.

I review our menus on a quarterly basis and receive feedback from my team which ones the children like. My roast chicken dinner is one of our children’s current favourites, empty plates every time.”

Each nursery has an on-site allotment and in-house kitchen to help us ensure that your child experiences a range of tastes and textures from our weekly menus. Each meal is carefully planned, so that each child will receive a balanced and healthy snack or meal. We have a 5* food hygiene rating and will cater for your child if they have specific dietary requirements! Don’t worry, we are happy to cater for you!