What makes us different...
Caterpillars
Playing and having fun
Caterpillars
The Caterpillar room is bright and light with soft toys and low level furniture. This room leads straight onto their beautiful outdoor space which is covered with AstroTurf to protect little crawlers and first walkers.
Activities within this room are usually multi sensory, discovering things for the first time and expanding their knowledge of the world.
Children are provided with a dark quiet space, with black out blinds for nap time in the afternoon.
This room has the capacity for 12 children under 2. Our Little Discoverers staff are:
Sophie T - Room Leader - Level 3
Sam - Level 3
Sophie J - Level 3
Ellie - Level 3
Butterflies
Playing and having fun
Caterpillars
The Butterfly room is a large open space which has learning zones dedicated to the different areas of the EYFS. We have a reading corner within both rooms to promote reading and provide a relaxing space for mindfulness.
We think happy children make happy learners so children are encouraged to explore their own interests. Children work independently, 1:1, in small groups or as a whole group.
Staff plan a range of activities indoor and out to ensure each child is developing and reaching their true potential. The planned learning is based upon the Birth to 5 Matters document.
This room has a capacity for 28 children. Our Explorers and Investigators staff are:
Vicki - Deputy Manager, Room Leader, SENDCO - Level 5
Daisy - Assistant Room Leader, Level 3
Siobhan - Level 4
Casey - Apprentice
Grace - Apprentice
Jess - Apprentice
Lucy - Apprentice
Sue - SEND Assistant
Playing and having fun
Playing and having fun
Playing and having fun
Both rooms follow a similar daily routine, and within both we always find opportunities for play and having fun. Play is a vital part in understanding and being able to do, therefore resources, talk, modelling and activities support this.
Both rooms change regularly to ensure the children are engaged, drawn into new experiences and enjoy their time with us. For example Explorers and Investigators had a hair dressing salon within the room in January and a bakers shop in March. The children enjoyed the role play and were able to draw upon their own experiences.
Our universal provision allows children to play, care and share, communicate, develop fine and gross motor skills, become independent, develop curiosity, develop a sense of self, learn about how things work and the effects of ones interaction with it.
The two garden areas are used not only for play but also to grow our own fruit and vegetables. Within both outdoor areas there are planters, in which children can plant their own seeds and watch them grow. This adds to the multi sensory approach we find children enjoy so much. The chef, Julie, then uses some of these products within the meals she prepares.
Being Healthy
Being Healthy
Playing and having fun
Children are encouraged to make healthy choices by selecting what they would like to eat and what should be on the menu. We recently did a 6 week around the world tasting menu where children were to vote for dishes to have on menus to come. Most children really enjoyed this and tried new things. Snacks and meals provided are healthy and balanced, providing your child with the nutrients and energy they require to grow and be healthy (individual dietary requirements are provided for, unless otherwise discussed).
Breakfast is served between 07:30 - 08:30
Snack is at 10am
Lunch is at 12pm
Snack is at 2pm
Dinner is at 4pm
Milk is served twice daily at snack times and water is available throughout the day. Each child has their own bottle labelled for easy identification.
Children learn about how and why we brush our teeth and participate in daily practice of these skills. Each child brings their own toothbrush from home to participate in this part of the day.
Children play outside at least once a day no matter what the weather as we have sheltered spaces to enjoy. They participate in gross motor skills, planting and growing, balance and movement, dance and music and so much more outside. Each room has it's own outdoor space and the children love them.
Staying Safe
Being Healthy
Staying Safe
We ensure all of our children understand how to stay healthy, safe and happy. Rules are created with the children and set in place so that everyone feels that they are treated fairly and with respect.
All of the staff here have a commitment to safeguarding and the policies and procedures we have in place. Staff have regular training, in house and externally to ensure their knowledge is up to date.
The building is safe and secure at all times with an intercom system to gain access to the grounds. Parents must supply passwords for others to collect their children and visitors must be known to us and provide ID on arrival.
We have scheduled talks from police and the fire service to educate our young people on staying safe, crossing roads and what to do in the event of an emergency.
We show respect to each other, learn about our similarities and differences to ensure we are all open minded individuals who feel valued, successful, confident and cared for.
Our nursery vision and curriculum has recently been updated taking into account the interests, backgrounds, knowledge and skills of our children.
Each child has their work key person who will understand their every need, make them feel 'professionally loved' and allow them to access nursery life in their own unique way.
Events
Being Healthy
Staying Safe
The nursery holds different events throughout the year. Last year we held a Halloween Party and a Christmas Fair.
We have held an Autism Awareness Fundraising Event on Saturday 2nd April. We were given so many wonderful raffle prizes from parents, staff and local businesses. We have been absolutely blown away with the support and effort everyone has gone to. Thank you everyone!
The staff step challenge to good mental health has been a great success. Staff have found themselves with more energy and a better outlook on life. The encouragement and teamwork during this initiative has increased staff moral and given some of us a real boost for life. Have you monitored your steps over a 20 day period?
Our latest training day involved our staff participating in team teach, a programme designed to give practitioners the skills and tools to create a positive learning environment where challenging behaviours are anticipated, signs and signals identified and strategies to prevent and/or deal with unwanted behaviours planned for.