About us
The latest OFSTED report
Click here to read our full OFSTED report March 2018
Working with parents
Parents often like the care of a home based environment, which larger nurseries cannot always provide. However as we are a small nursery registered for 32 children maximum we are able to do so.We work in partnership with parents to help their child to learn and develop.
We feel it is important that parents are involved as much as possible therefore we welcome you to join us and spend time at the nursery.
When your child has their settling in sessions, this will be a valuable opportunity for you to get to know their key person. You can sit down for a chat and share as much information as possible about your child’s individual needs.
We are committed to keeping you informed and to building a strong, working relationship so we can work in partnership with you.
Learning
Play is vital for children. It is through play that young children learn, grow, gain confidence and have fun.The EYFS helps us to provide appropriate play experiences to enable children to develop in all areas. It enables us to recognise children’s strengths and areas they may need more support to develop new skills. The activities we provide for children will prepare them to progress with confidence and underpin the skills they need to work towards the Early Learning Goals.
The curriculum
The EYFS has four themes that we follow:- A Unique Child
- Positive Relationships
- Enabling Environments
- Learning and development
Under the four main themes the EYFS have identified seven areas of learning and development which are used by our nursery staff when planning and providing opportunities for your child to take part in.
- Communication and language development
involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
- Physical development
involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
- Personal, social and emotional development
involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.
- Literacy development
involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.
- Mathematics
involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.
- Understanding the world
involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
- Expressive arts and design
involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.
Key person
Each child has a key-person, this staff member will develop a close relationship with you and your child, ensuring that all of your child's needs are being met. At the start of nursery journey your key person will discuss with you your child's likes and dislikes and any routines you would like us to follow.The key person will be responsible for monitoring your child’s development.
This will be recorded in your child's folder and "learning journey".
Each child will have a development folder made up containing observations, plans, progress checks and photos.
These records will be available for you to view at any time.
We also have meetings between yourself and the key worker regularly to sit and have a chat about your child's individual learning and their needs.
A key person helps a child to become familiar with the setting and to feel confident and safe.
We want children to feel safe and secure in our setting and comfortable with staff.
It is also important that parents feel this way too.
Main duties of a keyworker:
- To provide for the emotional needs of the child, to comfort and reassure- To care for the child
- To contribute to and ensure that our provision takes into account each child’s race, culture, religion, language and family values.
- To liaise with parents/carers
- To observe the child’s progress and with parent’s/carers permission, keep records of their child’s interests and development
- To meet the parents/carers regularly.
- To be available to speak to the parents/carers at the beginning and end of sessions.
- To liaise with the other settings on the progress and the welfare of the child.
- To liaise with the parents/carers and Special Education Needs Co-ordinators if there is any concern such as language, hearing or other areas.
- The keyworker will ensure parents/carers are always contacted about any concerns involving their child.
Staff
We follow a safe recruitment procedure and all necessary checks are done on our staff.Food and nutrition
At CC's nursery we make eating a social time at which adults and children eat together and learn basic table manners.All food is cooked and freshly prepared daily on site in our kitchen.
Children are provided with Breakfast, snack, lunch and tea.
The children are provided with a well-balanced and nutritious diet ensuring fruit fresh fruit and vegetables are served daily.
Milk and water are also available and children are encouraged to drink regularly.
A healthy diet helps children grow and learn.
A weekly menu sheet is given to parents; this is for yourself to be aware in advance what your child will be eating at nursery.
The menu is adapted for the children’s different ages as we provide pureed, smooth, lumpy bumpy for all children's needs.
We are able to cater for your individual dietary requirement and also offer vegetarian alternatives to every meal.
Milk
We understand how important it is that your child gets a home from home feel at nursery and also the routines are not broken.We have the facilities to store your child’s bottles safely and securely.
We are happy to give breast milk, make up formula bottles or give soya or cow's milk to your child.