Each child is allocated a key person who will work with the parent/carer to ensure likes, dislikes, wants and needs are taken care of.  We take a partnership approach with you including supplying book bags/journals to share information between nursery and home (and where appropriate other child care settings).  We work towards the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Early Years Goals to help you child to reach his or her full potential.  More information on the Foundation Stage can be found at : http://education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/D16-7781-0808

The children's needs are catered for in three specific age groups: Babies, Tweenies and 3+, although there is some migration between all rooms to encourage social interaction and smooth transitions as children develop.

Baby Room

6 weeks to 23 months. Self contained area which is fully equipped for your child's every need. Messy play is encouraged and welcomed during these vital first months of development. Because we are smaller, every child, no matter how small is treated as an individual. We ensure that our staff know your child's likes and dislikes. We will work closely with you to ensure their routines are maintained as far as possible, and keep a "home/nursery liaison book" to record and chart your child's progress. Parents are encouraged to participate to this to create a snapshot of the precious first few months of development mapped against the "New Foundation Stage" relevant to this age.

The Room is colourful and stimulating with an "Under the Sea" and Butterfly Garden theme on the ceiling complete with flying kites to help your child's development and to keep them interested.  We also have a quiet area with soft play for more tranquil times and to help your baby to relax.    Shoes are not permitted in this room to keep the area hygienic to allow free movement and play for babies when crawling.   The room has an original fireplace to make it feel like a home from home.  Babies have their own outside space which can be used for sand and water as well as to get plenty of fresh air.  They have their own structured playtimes within the main playground to encourage building of motor skills.

Tweenies + 3 plus (pre-school)

Five "zones" are used to encourage structured play and individual choice.  The zones are creative, role play, quiet play, ICT and outdoor play.  Each area has a dedicated member of staff to oversee the safety and well being of the children and to ensure that the activities are stimulating and exciting.  To ensure their safety, tweenies and 3+ are separated into age groups at certain times of the day, and to allow age specific activities to take place.   There is a room leader who plans activities on a rotational basis and works with each child's key person to ensure that their development against the foundation stage and learning goals is tracked and encouraged.  Typical activities which take place in the nursery include : painting, drawing, sticking, collage, dressing up, baking, musical instruments, singing, construction (lego, stickle bricks, popoids), sand and water play, reading and french lessons.  

The newly built conservatory allows a "woodland view" and opportunity for quiet play and ICT at certain times of day, as well as a secure and demure environment for rest after lunch for those children who require a sleep.

Mealtimes are fun, yet educational.   The children have structured mealtimes and are encouraged to make choices about the foods they eat and to serve themselves where possible.   Hygiene is extremely important to us, and all activities are closely monitored to ensure your child receives a balanced diet (and any parental requests) are catered for.   Children often make their own sandwiches and snacks including cheese straws small cakes/flap jacks etc for eating at tea time.    Vegetables which the children plant and grow in the outdoor areas are used for meals and the children are encouraged, where safety allows, to be involved in their preparation.Outdoor apparatus is provided and children are encouraged to play outside (weather permitting).  Our staff ensure that children are supervised at all times, yet allow them to play individually alongside their peers.  Two "digging areas" outside are supplied where the children are able to plant and grow vegetables which are later cooked and eaten.

The key person provides information at the end of the day to parents/carers regarding meals, play activities, rest etc.,

We will work closely with you to ensure your child's education is fun and stimulating.    Topics and themes are changed regularly and work which the children have done is displayed around the nursery on a weekly basis.  

Pre-Schoolers and Transition to School
Please note that the pre-schoolers will follow the curriculum stated via the Foundation stage with measurements of progress against learning goals encouraged and recorded.   When it is time for them to go to school, information is passed through to their Reception class teacher in order that their education can be continued with as little disruption as possible.