Top tips for making the most of your nursery visit
We've compiled a list of popular questions families ask at nursery visits to help you when deciding which nursery to choose for your child's early years education.
Why choose Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-School in Atherton?
Located close to Atherton town centre, Partou Footprints provides exceptional childcare and early years education to families in Atherton, Tyldesley and surrounding areas.
Our beautiful, converted Victorian school building benefits from spacious and homely playrooms with lots of natural lights and neutral decor to provide a calming environment which supports cognitive development and allows children’s creativity to flourish.
Children at Partou Footprints enjoy a large garden area to explore and play in. Each room has access to their own garden, meaning all rooms can be outside, safely at the same time. Outdoor play is a very important part of the early years curriculum and is great for aiding emotional regulation, developing motor and social skills and building children’s confidence. We also have a good relationship with our local forest school which children can attend to further enjoy learning in the outdoors.
We have a long-standing Nursery Team in place which is testament to the wonderful environment here at Partou Footprints. Our Nursery Manager has been at the nursery for over 20 years and our Senior Deputy for over 7 years which provides children and Team Members with high-quality and consistent care and leadership. This also helps us to build excellent parent partnerships which give children the security and support to thrive confidently. Our whole Nursery Team love what they do, and this shines through in the way that they care for children and create a home-from-home environment which carefully appeals to each child’s personality and interests. Please take a look at our reviews as you will see we have a phenomenal reputation amongst our families
Our Nursery Team love to plan family fundraising events such as summer fetes and Christmas events such as “Breakfast with Santa” or fayres. Proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald Charity as this is a charity close to our nursery community’s hearts. These events are well supported and enjoyed by our families and a great opportunity to help children to understand empathy and further develop social skills.
We have built up great links with local schools and work with schools and families to prepare children for their transition to “big school.” Children’s new primary school teachers are invited into our Pre-School to meet children and their key workers to prepare for this important step in their early years educational journey.
If you are looking for a nursery in the Atherton area with a wonderfully warm and dedicated team who build strong family partnerships and prepare children for their next early years steps, then we think you will love Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-School in Atherton!
Facilities
Homely, happy environments with colourful playrooms
Exciting learning activities tailored to the unique likes and interests of each child
Healthy and delicious meals from our seasonal menu, freshly prepared at the nursery
Outdoor adventures come rain or shine in our secure garden space
Kind, caring and qualified nursery staff with DBS checks and first aid training
Funded Childcare Options Available
Nursery fees
| Full-day (2 sessions) |
Weekly rate | Early drop off session | Morning session | Afternoon session | |
| Session time | 8.00am-6.00pm | 8.00am-6.00pm daily | 7.15am-8.00am | 8.00am-1.00pm | 1.00pm-6.00pm |
| Care | £56.25 | £253.13 | £6.35 | £33.75 | £33.75 |
| Meals & snacks | £9.05 | £45.25 | £5.15 | £3.90 | |
| Consumables | £2.95 | £14.75 | £1.70 | £1.25 | |
| Total | £68.25 | £313.13 | £40.60 | £38.90 |
Upon registration, you will be asked to pay a £75 registration fee (non-refundable) or a £75 registration deposit to reserve your child’s nursery place (see terms and conditions for eligibility).
What’s included in our fees?
Our full fees are clearly broken down into care, meals & snacks and consumables fees for full transparency.
Care fees include: trained, qualified team members taking care of your child, regular updates about your child and their progress at nursery, a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities tailored to the needs of your child, and use of the nursery building facilities.
Meals & snacks fees cover the cost of all food and drinks whilst your child is in our care. Meal and snack times are a very important part of Partou nursery life, learn more about how we make food and nutrition enjoyable and educational for children in our care.
Consumables include; important daily care items needed such as nappies, wet wipes and sun cream.
Discounts
Only one discount can be applied at any time:
- 5% discount for eldest child for siblings.
- 5% discount for Blue Light Card holders.
Other key information
- We’re closed on Bank Holidays.
- We close at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
- We’re closed between Christmas and New Year.
- Charges apply across 51 weeks of the year, including Bank Holidays.
Funded childcare
Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-School is proud to offer funded childcare places
Funded childcare is a government incentive fulfilled by Local Authorities which aims to provide financial support for eligible families accessing childcare at an OFSTED registered setting. Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-School work with Wigan Local Authority to apply childcare funding for eligible families.
Funding typically covers 15 or 30 hours per week for the 38 term weeks of the year across a maximum of 10 hours a day which will be applied in different ways depending how many weeks of the year your child is in childcare:
- Children who are in year-round childcare will receive “stretched” funding. This means that their 15/30 hours over 38 weeks will be stretched over 51 weeks of the year so children accessing year round childcare at Partou Footprints will receive 11.17/22.35 hours of funded childcare per week.
- Children who have term-time only childcare places will receive 15/30 hours funding per week over 38 weeks of the year. Term-time only places are limited and are subject to availability.
Government funding for childcare only applies to the care fee (as described above). Meals & snacks and consumables fees are fully chargeable for all sessions including funded.
Many families are eligible for government funded childcare, see our childcare funding guide for more information.
Term duration and dates
The 2025/2026 terms dates set by Wigan for Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-School are below so you can see which term dates funding is applicable for:
|
|
Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
| Term Duration | 14 Weeks | 11 Weeks | 13 Weeks |
| 1st Half Term Dates | 8th Sept – 24th Oct | 5th Jan – 13th Feb | 13th April – 22nd May |
| 2nd Half Term Dates | 3rd Nov – 19th Dec | 23rd Feb – 27th March | 1st June – 17th July |
Please note that when you access funding in the term can impact the hours you are eligible for within that term period.
Our team will be able to assist you with any funding and term questions you may have.
)
Footprints
Day Nursery
& Pre-school
01942 876546
Mon - Fri, 7.15am to 6.00pm (excl. bank holidays)
Alderfold St, Atherton, Manchester, M46 9DS
View on map
What do families say about Partou Footprints Day Nursery & Pre-School in Atherton?
Overall rating
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
L D
28 August 2025
This has been my second child's experience through this nursery. It's sounds cliche but it's like a family. The staff are genuinely wonderful people, they have the patience of saints and my daughter absolutely loves to go. The staff make an effort to get to know your child whether they are in the...
Annie K
27 August 2025
From the very first day, the warmth and care shown by the staff put both us and our daughter at ease. Every member of the team goes above and beyond to make the nursery feel like a home-from-home, and it's clear how much they genuinely care about the children in their care. The environment is nurt...
Joe R
27 August 2025
We couldn't be happier with our son's time at nursery. He absolutely loves it there and always comes home with the biggest smile on his face. All the staff are amazing - so friendly, caring and welcoming. The handovers are always brilliant and we're greeted with a smile every day, which really means ...
R W
27 August 2025
Our son has attended Footprints for over 2 years and absolutely loves it. Its been lovely to see the bonds he has developed with the staff. From the management through to the staff in the rooms, they are all fantastic and I feel very comfortable leaving him in their care. We are greeted with smiles e...
Emma H
27 August 2025
My daughter has attended Footprints since she was one, she is almost 3 years old now and she absolutely loves it. All the staff are very friendly and helpful, nothing is too much trouble. They have catered to my daughter's milk intolerance which put me at ease from day one. I would highly recommend. ...
Lyndsey R
27 August 2025
My little girl has attended Footprints since she was 1 and I honestly cannot speak more highly of the nursery and its staff. The nursery is so warm and welcoming and she has settled so well in each transition when moving room. The staff are amazing and you can see they genuinely care for each and...
Helen A
13 August 2025
My son has been at Footprints for a year now and he's enjoyed being at the nursery from the very start. He has been in three rooms so far and the transitions have been handled so well. Every room cater activities so well for each age, and I love how the toddler room really encourage independence thro...
Anisha P
12 August 2025
The nursery is unreal. My daughter is always smiling and happy when she arrives at nursery. The staff are attentive and always do activities with the children. They have an app which you can see what activities they have been involved in. The nursery is spacious and has different resources for childr...
Vicki C
12 August 2025
Fantastic nursery. Staff are lovely. They have had my little girl since she was 6 months old and she is almost ready to leave for school. They have really made my family feel part of their family. We have cried and laughed together over the years, I can't give them enough praise. They are a true part...
E B
12 August 2025
My little girl has been coming to Footprints since she was 13 months old and she settled in straight away - we feel so comfortable dropping her off with all the lovely members of staff - Footprints gives us a home from home feeling and I know that my little girl is very happy there. Footprints is ful...
Melissa F
08 August 2025
Footprints Day Nursery is truly exceptional, with children placed at the very heart of everything they do. The staff are warm, welcoming, and maintain excellent communication with parents, ensuring a strong partnership in every child's development. Every member of the team knows and genuinely cares f...
A J
02 August 2025
Partou Footprints has been amazing with my daughter, the staff are very welcoming, caring and friendly. The range of activities carried out is fantastic, the communication is great and I know that my daughter is in very safe hands.
Kelly C
01 August 2025
My child has attended Footprints for over a year and straight away from the settling in session she just settled in really well. This was such a relief as a parent to know that your child enjoys going to nursery and has fun throughout the day. I am kept up to date with what my child eats/does through...
S M
01 August 2025
My son has been at this nursery for about a year now and he loves it so much, he settled very quickly into the baby room when he started and again when he transitioned over to Tinies , he loves all of the staff there and nothing is to much for them.
B D
01 August 2025
Footprints have been amazing throughout our child's journey there. Our daughter is now in toddlers and loves her time there, she is looked after so well, they understand her and listen to her needs. All the staff always look happy to be there and they always have activities set up for the children's ...
Why Partou?
For us at Partou, childcare isn’t just a job, it’s a journey – one where every child leads us in a unique new direction.
As part of the Netherlands’ largest childcare group, we’ve access to world-leading expertise in learning and development, so you can be confident your child will benefit from an experience as unique as they are.
Of course, care is as much about empathy as education, and ours is a child-led approach that emphasises building confidence and curiosity – so that every child in our care has the freedom to flourish.
Reassurance for you and your little one
Care
We’re more than just a team; we’re a close community driven by our passion for childcare, and our commitment to each individual child’s development. We know that by working together, we’re stronger.
Compassion
In our community, compassion isn’t just a word; it’s our way of life. By embracing our differences, we make our community more diverse and vibrant. We build strong, supportive relationships with the children and each other, based on trust and understanding.
Continuous learning
We believe strongly in development, for the children in our care and for ourselves. Through continuous learning, we help our team and our children reach their full potential. Together, we make a positive impact, in our communities and across wider society.
Knowledge hub
Understanding the Ofsted inspection changes
Ofsted are making important changes to the way that they inspect and rate children's services and childcare settings; learn what these are and what they mean for families.