OUR NURSERY
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At Footprints Montessori Nursery, we provide a carefully balanced approach that combines a relaxed, home-from-home environment with the joy and excitement of learning through the Montessori philosophy. Our nursery is independently owned and operated. We believe every child should be given the time and space to explore and learn about the world around them at their own individual pace. We recognise the natural environment as one of the most valuable places for learning to take place. Alongside well-resourced indoor learning spaces in every room, we place strong emphasis on regular access to our outdoor area. At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to nurturing and caring for each individual child in a safe, secure environment, enabling them to thrive, grow, and confidently prepare for their next steps in the world.
Why choose
Footprints?
We’re dedicated in providing the finest quality of care, education and love for our children. In our nursery every child is free to develop at their own pace, and in the directions that most interest them using the Montessori approach to education.
Footprints is a privately owned nursery operated by Mrs Sandra Stedeford. Sandra is very proud of her nursery and her team, and would be delighted to show you around the nursery and its grounds.
A nurturing environment where your child can grow and learn.
Footprints provides a safe, supportive and stimulating environment for children to explore and discover the world. Children can grow and express themselves to their full potential through the philosophy of Montessori and EYFS. Our location is convenient for local families living in Horsley, Ripley, Bookham, Cobham, Guildford and Leatherhead and we enjoy beautifully equipped premises, including four outdoor play areas and a nearby wood.
Our Mission
Footprints Montessori Day Nursery aims to provide a safe, happy and caring environment where children are gently nurtured through their early years using the philosophy of Maria Montessori together with the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our staff are qualified and experienced in the care of children and work with parents to coordinate home and nursery learning and development in order to help each child feel secure and enable them to grow in confidence and self- esteem.
Footprints Values
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All children are entitled to be treated with love, respect and compassion.
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Children’s welfare and their rights to a secure, healthy and happy childhood are paramount.
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Children are entitled to expect that all adults will respect, uphold and preserve their rights and ensure that their stated feelings and wishes are taken int account.
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Children should have the opportunity to make choices and develop a sense of responsibility for their own actions appropriate for their age.
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Children, parents, and carers should not be discriminated against, particularly in relation to colour, race, religion, gender, disability, medical conditions or
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Parents should be recognised and respected as children’s first and continuing educators. Parents and carers have the right to be consulted as partners in anydecision making process related to the child in their care.
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We understand the child’s need for independence and order and make these two of our priorities.
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We recognise that the child is unique and a natural learner with their own path oflearning that they are bound to follow, and we will endeavour to guide the child along this path with sensitivity.
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In every room, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Using weekly observations, we plan activities to address these areas. Each member of the team is passionate about working with children and we want your child to feel safe, secure and most of all happy so that they can develop to their full potential. Children are closely observed in their play so that their interests can be nurtured and developed. We encourage children to investigate and explore their surroundings, and provide activities which enrich this important area of development.
Flopsy Bunnies
Flopsy Bunnies welcomes babies up to 14 months
Tiggywinkles
Tiggywinkles is one of our rooms for children 14 - 24 months.
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Timmy Tiptoes
Timmy Tiptoes is one of our rooms for children 14 - 24 months.
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Puddleducks
Puddleducks is the room for children aged 2 to 3 years
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Nutkins
Nutkins is the room for children aged 3 to 4 years
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Jeremy Fisher
Jeremy Fisher is our first pre-school room
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Hunca Munca
Hunca Munca for children aged 4 to 5 years
Our Kitchen
Home-cooked Food
At Footprints, we recognise that adequate and nutritious food and drink are essential for children’s well-being. We therefore offer a balanced, healthy, nutritional range of food that your child will enjoy. Wherever possible, we use local or organic produce and all meals are freshly prepared and cooked on the premises by our qualified and highly experienced in-house chef.
Quality, Organic and Locally Sourced Ingredients
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Ripley Farm shop supply us all year around with an extensive range of organic fruit and vegetables.
Conisbee & Son supply us with high quality, local meat. All of their meat comes either from their own farm in Fetcham or other local farms with the highest standards of farming husbandry.
Jump into Our Garden
At Footprints, we are lucky to have four garden areas where the children can play, explore, and learn. Our largest garden for children aged between two and five years was redesigned at the end of 2024 and offers children a wide range of activities, including a sand play area and a mud kitchen. There are areas for the planting of flowers, fruit, and vegetables, allowing the children to learn about the stages of growth and the exciting harvest time.
Forest School
A short walk outside the premises takes us to Ben’s Wood, to which we have free access. Here the children can explore the woodland environment, play in mud and leaves, use sticks to play safely and watch the ducks, dragonflies and the occasional heron or deer. At the end of the summer the older children can pick blackberries and collect acorns, rose hips and crab apples for our classroom nature tables. Our forest school activities include den building, making nettle tea and using natural ingredients to make paints.
Montessori Learning
Montessori learning is a child-centred educational approach developed by Dr Maria Montessori. It supports independence, self-directed learning, and a lifelong love of learning through hands-on experiences within a carefully prepared environment. Children are encouraged to learn at their own pace, guided by trained practitioners who observe, support, and facilitate rather than direct. The Montessori approach emphasises holistic development, nurturing children’s physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Specially designed Montessori materials help promote concentration, intrinsic motivation, cooperation, and the development of real-life skills.
What parents say ...
Nursery Dog
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Dogs in early years settings, including nurseries and preschools, are increasingly recognised for their positive role in supporting children’s emotional well-being, communication, and learning. They help children to regulate their emotions, build confidence, develop empathy, and strengthen social skills within a calm and nurturing environment. Interactions with dogs can also support language development, encourage gentle behaviour, and help children feel secure and relaxed.
At Footprints, the wellbeing and safety of children is always our highest priority. Any involvement with Poppy within the setting is carefully managed through thorough risk assessments, close supervision, and clear hygiene procedures. This ensures that experiences are positive, safe, and beneficial for all children, supporting their development while maintaining a secure and respectful environment.
Extra Activities
It is beneficial for children to meet new people in safe and secure surroundings and with this in mind we provide extra activities run by outside staff. For the babies and toddlers this takes the form of music and movement sessions with Jo Jingles. The over twos enjoy Fit and Fun with Debbie who introduces the children to a variety of sports activities and games and Yoganory yoga and story sessions. All extra activities are included in our fees, there are no extra charges.
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