Childcare

We don’t follow a strict routine in the baby room. Instead, we ask parents to tell us their child’s routine (in written form). That means throughout the day we feed children and put them down for a nap at different times. We feel this helps the children settle better into nursery life.

We open our doors at 8:00, welcome parents and children into the nursery, and offer breakfast.

Building a routine

As the children head towards 1 year we begin to settle them into a toddler routine:

• 9:30 - snack
• 11:00  11:20 - lunch followed by a sleep
• 15:00-15:20 - tea

This helps prepare your child for their next step in nursery to Hedgehogs. We have a wide range of healthy menus and food will be blended where appropriate.

Babies have a separate sleep room with 9 cots. These are labelled with photos and information on the children, which helps them to have a sense of belonging and security. With some luck, the babies fall asleep with the help of rockers, swings and prams.

Playtime

Children have free play in the Squirrel room or in the large play garden. Our large range of toys includes rattles, shakers, bead gyms, musical toys, walkers, balls, sand, paper, cars, musical instruments, tunnels, soft play, treasure baskets and puzzles.

When the weather allows, we go for walks around the University campus. We focus our activities on child-led play and observe what the children like to play with and then provide and adapt activities that reflect that.

In Hedgehogs, children will grow and have lots of fun with a wide range of activities. Free flow between the garden and rooms means children are free to explore. Our bright, loving and caring environment is always engaging and inclusive for all.

A typical Hedgehog day

In the Foxes room, we focus a lot on encouraging children’s self-help and independence skills including toileting and washing hands. We introduce letters and sounds predominately focussing on their listening skills as this will play an important role when they progress to letter sounds at a later stage.

Children are encouraged to explore both the indoor and outdoor environment. To do this we have a free flow system which provides children with the opportunity to choose where they would like to play, ensuring that they have access to all 7 areas of learning.

As the children arrive they self-register using picture cards. Each child finds their picture and puts it on the train outside the room.

They will have a wide range of fun activities throughout the year such as:

• Playdough
• Crafts
• Matching colour games
• Sand
• Construction
• Mark making
• Cooking

A typical Foxes day

In Badgers, we follow the Early Year’s Foundation Stage which sets the standards for all children’s learning and development.

We aim to provide both engaging and stimulating activities based on children’s individual interests and developmental needs. This is done through a combination of adult-guided and child-initiated experiences which cover the 7 areas of learning. We strive to ensure all children feel happy, safe and secure in their nursery environment.

Activities

Throughout the year we have a range of fun activities such as:

• Carol service
• Trips, such as to the pantomime
• Working with the local community, like dentists, gardening, recycling
• Tiny mites
• Celebrating cultural celebrations
• Inviting parents to come in
• Cooking
• Sports Day
• Using the University library
• Mini beast hunt in the nature garden

A typical Badger day