About us

We want your children to feel safe and happy at nursery, and we encourage parents to visit with their children during the weeks before admission.

If you have any concerns or questions that are not answered below, please do not hesitate to contact the nursery. We will do our best to make a speedy response to your enquiry.

Click on a link for more detailed information:

Staffing   

The Nursery staff are as follows:

Manager - Mrs. Barbara Hawkes
Trainee Deputy Manager - Nicola Seager
Practitioners
- Mrs. Heather McGlynn
- Mrs. Sharon Foote
- Mrs. Julie Wyatt
- Mrs. Lesley Boyfield
- Miss Charlie Gent
Administrator - Mrs. Barbara Murray

Click here to see pictures of the staff by our children.

All of our nursery nurses hold the Diploma in Pre-school practice (or equivalent) Our staff hold current First-Aid certificates.

Each child is allocated a keyworker. The keyworker works with a group of up to six children on most activities and observations.

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Meeting your child

Please let us know if your child is to be picked up by someone other than the usual person at the end of the session.

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Parents as helpers

We are aware of the importance of parental support in nursery. Do let us know if you are able to come and help or support special events.

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Special needs

The number of adults present in the nursery enables us to provide individual attention for each child. Each child is able to progress at his/her own rate in all areas of development and this is true for children with or without disabilities or learning difficulties. We are experienced in working closely with professionals across the range of special needs. If you would like to discuss the group's abilities to meet your child's special needs, please talk to Barbara Hawkes, who is the Supervisor and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.(SENCO)

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Framework for learning and development

All children are supported in developing their own potential at their own pace.  By means of appropriate play activities we offer The Early Years Foundation stage curriculum (EYFS), which follows nationally, approved learning outcomes and provides a solid foundation for children’s later learning.

The themes and commitments of EYFS

The four themes and commitments of EYFS are

1) A Unique child

• Child development
• Inclusive practice
• Keeping safe
• Health and well-being

2) Positive relationships

• Respecting each other
• Parents as partners
• Supporting learning
• Key Person

3) Enabling environments

• Observation, Assessment and Planning
• Supporting Every Child
• The Learning Environment
• The Wider Context

4) Learning and Development

• Play and Exploration
• Active Learning
• Creativity and Critical Thinking
• Areas of Learning and Development

Areas of Learning and Development

There are six areas of learning and development:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Children are provided with experiences and support which helps them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others; respect for others; social skills; and a positive disposition to learn. We ensure children’s emotional well-being is supported, to help them know themselves and what they can do.

Communication, Language and Literacy

Children are provided with opportunities and encouragement to use their communicating, speaking and listening skills, in a range of situations and for a range of purposes. They are supported in developing the confidence and disposition to do so. Children’s learning and competence in communicating, speaking and listening, being read to and beginning to read and write are supported and extended.

Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

Children are supported in developing their understanding of Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk about their developing understanding. They are provided with opportunities to practise and extend their skills in these areas and to gain confidence and competence in their use.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Children are supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. Their learning is supported through offering opportunities for them to use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments and in real-life situations; undertake practical ‘experiments’; and work with a range of materials.

Creative Development

Children’s creativity is extended by the provision of support for their curiosity, exploration and play. They are provided with opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings, for example through a variety of art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role-play activities, mathematics, and design and technology.

Physical Development

We provide opportunities for children to be active and interactive and to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement, encouraging physical development.

Children are supported in using all their senses to learn about the world around them and to make connections between new information and what they already know. They are supported in developing an understanding of the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food. Please supply a labelled pair of shorts and a t-shirt in a drawstring type bag for PE. These need to be brought in and returned home at the end of every session.

What to wear   

In order to feel free to explore and experiment, it is best to send children dressed in easily washable clothes that are not too new. We promote a caring environment that encourages children towards independence. We would appreciate your support in encouraging your children to dress and undress for themselves. Do think about garments with easy fastenings. Please label all garments clearly with your child’s name.

Only stud earrings to be worn please as others can get caught up during play.
We do provide aprons for messy activities and spare clothes incase of accidents. Please remember to launder and return any of the nursery’s spare clothes as soon as possible.

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Food

We provide a mid morning and mid afternoon snack. This will vary but will usually consist of a drink, (milk, hot chocolate, water, squash) a piece of fruit, grated cheese, some bread and butter or toast. We also provide foods that are topical - rice and noodles at Chinese New Year, pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, hot cross buns at Easter.

If your child is staying for lunch, please ensure that their lunchbox is labelled and is only as big as it needs to be (space in the refrigerator is limited) Please do not include sweets, chewing gum or peanuts or carbonated drinks.

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Absence and health

Please could you ‘phone the nursery to let us know if your child will be absent whatever the reason.

Parents are asked not to return any child to nursery who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 48 hours has elapsed since the last attack.

Please report any contagious diseases for example chicken pox, conjunctivitis, impetigo, so that we may alert other parents.

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