Within our setting we have two rooms. We have our Little Learners which is for our 2 year olds. We also have Early Explorers which accommodates our 3-4 year old room. The Little Learners Room is open all week, Monday to Friday and is the main room of the nursery. Dependant upon adult/child ratios we have capacity for 30 children in that room. The Early Explorers room is open all week, Monday – Friday 9am-3:30pm. Dependant upon adult/child ratios we have capacity for 16 children within this room over a mix of ages from 2 years old. All staff within both rooms follow the ‘continuous provision’ planning, allowing the children to access all areas of learning within our rooms. The different areas within our rooms consist of role play, construction, small world, reading, messy play/investigation. The children also have access to our outdoor area daily and have use of 3 different areas outside.
Early Explorer’s
Our designated 3-4 Year Old Room. Our staff within this room set up suitable activities for the children to help aid and develop their learning and when ready to start ‘school ready’ activities to support with that transition through to school.
Little Learner’s
Our designated 2 Year Old Room. Our staff within this room support the children when they first start to help them settle into the new environment. Staff also prepare activities for the children to help that transition as they move up to Early Explorers.
Daily Routine
Our day at nursery starts at 9am and consists of the following routine.
- 9am – Children arrive complete brain gym, register, days of the week.
- 9:15am – Focus group activity with their keyworker.
- 9:30am – Free flow time, children have access to the outdoor garden as well as indoor playtime.
- 10am – Snack begins until 10:30am.
- 11:30am – Lunchtime
- 12:20pm – Lunch away ready for the afternoon children.
- 12:30pm – Afternoon children to arrive and register completed.
- 12:40pm – Focus group activity with their keyworker.
- 1pm – Free flow time, children have access to the outdoor garden as well as indoor playtime.
- 2pm – Snack begins until 2:30pm.
- 3:15pm – Tidy up for carpet time.
- 3:20pm – Carpet time for story, singing.
Preparing for Nursery!
For children who are finding it difficult to settle we offer play visits for them to meet the staff, the children and to familiarise themselves with the environment.
Useful items for starting nursery include (please ensure that all belongings are clearly labelled with your child’s name).
- Drawstring bag (to leave at Nursery). Please do not send children with large bags due to lack of space in the corridors.
- Nappies; wipes; comforter; nappy cream and a set or two of spare clothes according to the season. Summer months – sun hat, lightweight clothing, swimwear, underwear and a cardigan/light jacket. For winter months we suggest long sleeved t-shirts, vests, long trousers, underwear, socks, hat, scarf and gloves together with a warm waterproof winter coat.
- Children who attend Nursery for both am and pm sessions will require a water bottle and a packed lunch. We are a nut and egg free setting. If your child attends pm sessions only, they will only need to bring a water bottle.
Preparation for school!
We encourage the following help from home to assist older children to develop their independence; (All of the activities listed below should be age appropriate).
- Encourage dressing such as – putting on coats, attempting to fasten them up.
- Encourage the use of the toilet.
- Encourage washing and drying hands properly.
- Socialising with other children which helps with learning to turn take/share.
- Helping around the house with simple chores such as setting the table for tea; help with feeding a family pet; tidying up their own toys, clothes etc.
Attendance
Although attendance is not compulsory, we encourage the children to attend a minimum of 90% of their sessions as this enables them to follow a regular routine in readiness for school and enables them to gain full benefit from the EYFS.