Early years · Early years compliance action
Footsteps Nursery Cannock
Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Inspection datesingle source
30 Sept 2026
- URN verified
EY484984
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
criticalOfsted found the nursery was not meeting some requirements on staff handling of children, and the provider has since acted to put this right.
Ofsted made a regulatory visit on 25 September 2026 and found the provider was not meeting some of the requirements. The provider took action, including stronger induction and training for staff and agency staff on respectful handling of children, measures to help staff spot when colleagues need support, and planned visual aids on managing behaviour. The report says these actions reduce the likelihood of inappropriate handling. The provider remains registered with Ofsted.
Going well
- Provider notified Ofsted of significant events as legally required
- Action taken quickly to address the requirements not being met
- Induction and training strengthened for employed and agency staff
To improve
- Staff must consistently understand expectations for respectful handling of children
- Staff need to recognise and respond promptly when colleagues need support
- Staff need clear strategies for responding to children's behaviour
What parents should know
- The provider has taken steps to improve how children are handled, so ask how these changes work in practice.
- Ask the setting how it trains and inducts both permanent and agency staff.
- Ask what support and guidance staff have for managing children's behaviour.
- The provider should be able to give parents further information about this compliance action.
What other providers can learn
- Check that induction and training on respectful handling cover agency staff as well as permanent staff.
- Set up ways for staff to spot when colleagues need support and act promptly.
- Use clear visual aids so all staff can consider appropriate responses to children's behaviour.
Summary written by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the report text. It can miss nuance: the report itself is the record.
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
In line with other reports of this type.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No standout praise found.
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- We aim to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is protected in the services we regulate. p.1
- The Childcare Act 2006 and accompanying regulations set out our responsibilities to regulate childminders and childcare providers. p.1
- This includes the enforcement powers we have in relation to those registered providers who do not comply with the requirements for registration. p.1
- We publish details of any actions we take, or the childminder or childcare provider takes to bring about compliance with requirements on our website for a period of five years. p.1
- For further information please read the Early years compliance handbook which can be found here at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-provider-non-compliance- action-by-ofsted . p.2
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 2
- Words of findings
- 396
- about usual (typical 317)
- Reading level
- Very hard
- Flesch 24, typical 35
- Average sentence
- 23 words
- Next steps
- 5
- typical 5
- Hedged sentences
- 6%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Summary of outcome
All early years providers must meet the legal requirements in the¿Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage, which you can find at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. If we find that a provider is not meeting the requirements, we can take action to ensure they put matters right.
p.1
Summary of outcome
On 26 January, 2 July, 6 July, 13 July and 22 September 2026 the provider notified us about matters relating to suitable people, sleeping arrangements, safeguarding policies and procedures, accident or injury, concerns about children's safety and welfare, safeguarding training, supervision of staff, supporting and understanding children's behaviour and changes that must be notified to Ofsted. The notifications mean that the provider met their legal responsibility as set out in the Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage to notify Ofsted of any significant event which is likely to affect the suitability of any person who cares for children on the premises.
p.1
Summary of outcome
On 25 September 2026, we carried out a regulatory visit. We found that the provider was not meeting some of the requirements and had taken action to put this right. This included strengthening the induction and training arrangements for employed and agency staff, helping to ensure they understand expectations for the respectful handling of children. The provider has introduced measures to help staff recognise when colleagues may need support, highlighting the importance of intervening promptly to meet children's needs. The provider plans to introduce visual aids to support staff, including agency staff, to help them consider appropriate regulation strategies when responding to children's behaviour. These actions reduce the likelihood of inappropriate handling and help to promote children's safety, well-being and emotional security.
p.1
Summary of outcome
The provider will be able to give parents further information about this. The provider is still registered with Ofsted.
p.1
Publication of compliance action
We aim to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is protected in the services we regulate. The Childcare Act 2006 and accompanying regulations set out our responsibilities to regulate childminders and childcare providers. This includes the enforcement powers we have in relation to those registered providers who do not comply with the requirements for registration. We publish details of any actions we take, or the childminder or childcare provider takes to bring about compliance with requirements on our website for a period of five years.
p.1
Publication of compliance action
For further information please read the Early years compliance handbook which can be found here at www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-provider-non-compliance- action-by-ofsted .
p.2
Discuss this inspection
Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.
Join the discussion