The age of the child, their developmental progress and the wishes of the parents inform the timing of the move to the next unit. We prepare parents and children for this through regular familiarisation visits and by monitoring the progress of adjustment so that any problem areas can be recognised, help provided and parents informed.
The Baby Room
The ground floor Baby Room has been designed to cater for the early months of your baby’s life, allowing each individual to begin to develop basic skills in a safe, well-equipped play area featuring soft floor coverings and a warm, homely environment.
Staffed by qualified caring professionals, the Baby Room offers places for babies up to 12 months old. Each child is encouraged to develop in a gentle and unhurried way. In addition, carefully selected, educationally stimulating toys are always on hand and staff monitor each child’s progress daily. Members of staff are always available to discuss any worries or concerns you may have and they understand how anxious parents may feel leaving their child for the first time.
The Toddler Room
This unit also occupies the ground floor and is equipped to allow the toddler the opportunity to begin to develop independence in safety and security. The staff are experienced in facilitating a child’s exploration of the senses and investigating the world of creativity through song and music as well as painting and ‘messy play’. The toddler is eager to learn and both enjoys and benefits from the frequently changing variety of carefully chosen toys, books and equipment.
As in the Baby Room the emphasis is on a gentle and unhurried approach to development, recognising the importance of the partnership between parent and carer.
The Big Toddler Room
The ground floor area for big toddlers has been designed to cater for the specific needs of the two to three year olds.
As part of the daily routine the children are encouraged to develop through creative play with access to sand and water in addition to painting, gluing and building with recycled objects and materials, for example.
We recognise the importance of stimulating a child’s imagination and the playhouse is a firm favourite. Staff encourage and facilitate role-play with dressing-up clothes and other props.
Manipulative skills, developing hand and eye co-ordination, are encouraged with the use of constructional toys such as Duplo and Sticklebricks as well as large building bricks, jigsaws and threading.
Music features high on the agenda in the intermediate group and children are encouraged to sing, dance and play musical instruments. As well as being a most enjoyable time it introduces the children to concentration, listening and group skills.
Our active two year olds also have ample opportunity for physical play and exercise both indoors and outdoors with mobile toys, slide and climbing frame.
The Pre-School Room
The Pre-school Room on the ground floor has been purpose-designed for the needs of three to five year olds. The environment and daily routine is reminiscent of the nursery school helping to prepare children, gently and gradually, for the next crucial step into school. Our aim for the pre-school child is to encourage independence and ensure that the transition to school is a smooth and natural progression.
We aim to provide a safe and stimulating environment for our older children, encouraging learning through investigative play, sharing and caring for others, the birth of good manners and table etiquette.
Outdoor Play
The centre has a dedicated, enclosed, outdoor play area.A range of equipment is provided, for example wheeled toys, hoops, balls and a climbing frame to help stimulate a variety of free-play as well as adult-led activity. We believe that it is important for the children to spend time outside and we ask for you to bring appropriate clothing for the children to wear, e.g. wellies and raincoats or sunhats and suncream, that way the children’s outdoor experience is not restricted by the Yorkshire weather.
Our staff also work with small groups of children outside the nursery, facilitating their enjoyment and exploration of their immediate environment and extending their understanding of science and the world around them. The children also have trips to the local library, the theatre, parks, farms, other places of interest and, of course, Eureka! The Museum for Children.
Quiet time
Time is set aside each day for the children to listen to stories and to investigate books. The older children may watch a children’s television programme or video. Mattresses and blankets are provided for the younger children's sleep.
