Babies & Toddlers

Pips - Our Baby Unit

Our little Pips are looked after in a bright, spacious room with large windows and direct access to the outside area. There are both vinyl and carpeted areas in this room which can be organised to take into account that there are both mobile and non mobile babies. Dividers are used to ensure the youngest children have a safe and secure environment to explore and that those on the move can do so freely. There is a separate curtained sleep area as well as a milk kitchen and baby change room. The room also interconnects with the Buds room to allow the rising 2 year olds the opportunity to choose when they are ready to move up to the next room.

Attentive care and nurturing is vital at this young age and babies also benefit from engagement with adults, other children and the physical environment. We have lots of low level toys and activities designed to stimulate babies and allow for self-selection, giving them the opportunity to explore and in a safe and secure environment.

Baby Food/Bottles
Parents provide meals and bottles for their baby which are stored in named containers in the milk kitchen, and heated as required using appropriate methods.

Changing
We have a separate changing area. Babies nappies are changed according to their individual needs and we ask parents to provide a named changing bag with sufficient nappies, wipes and changes of clothes.

Buds - Our Toddler Room

The Buds Room is a welcoming and stimulating environment for our 2-3 year olds. The room is equipped with toys and games that stretch the children's developing cognitive, imaginative and co-ordinative skills. Lots of opportunities are provided for interaction and group play, as we feel the development of social and relational skills reflects and strengthens personal development. Types of play include table-top games and puzzles, messy play, music, movement and more physical games. Early literacy and numeracy skills are introduced gently here through word and number games, as well as in songs, displays and stories.

Like all of our rooms Buds is spacious and has large windows that let in plenty of natural light. The room has a specially designated areas such as a well stocked reading corner, a role play area which is regularly changed, and a messy play area.

This is a time when your child is developing rapidly and trying to assert her/himself. Lots of understanding and patience is required to allow and encourage their growing sense of independence, whilst fostering important social skills and a recognition of the feelings of others. In these rooms we follow a daily routine but still allow lots of time for free play and games. Literacy and numeracy are still taught informally through play.

Meal times are an important part of the day for the children to develop a range of social skills, so we join up with the pre-school children during this time. This also enables siblings the opportunity to spend some time together.

Rest times
If your child is used to having a sleep we can provide an area of the room that is safe and cosy. Sleep mats and blankets are available.

Toilet Training
We are very happy to reinforce any routine you are using at home whilst your child is at nursery. We aim to support your child so that this time of transition can be as relaxed and stress free as possible for all involved! We ask you to bring in spare clothing for your child during toilet training.