What is the routine in the Baby Room?

We are super flexible and each day is different depending on the children who are in. We will follow your routine as much as possible to support you and will always endeavour to meet your child’s routine. A general routine:

• Breakfast 7:30 - 8:30
• Welcome time 9:00 - 9:30
• Free play 9:30 - 10.00
• Snack 10.00
• Adult led/ child initiated activity 10:30 - 11:30 e.g craft or messy play
• Lunch 11:30

Do you provide food in the Baby Room?

Yes we provide breakfast and healthy snacks throughout the day including fruit, toast, cereal, organic crisps etc. If your child is under 1 years old we provide a well balanced hot meal sometimes a snacky lunch too if preferred. When they turn one they have the option of having their own packed lunch from home or we can provide a meal for a small cost of £2 per day. We have a cooked tea at around 4.15pm if your child is booked in for the tea time session.

What is Tapestry?

Tapestry is an online software that we use to monitor your child’s progress and record any observations we do or photographs we take. We then share them with you online so that you can continue to be updated and can access this journal at home or at work at any time. It is also amazing as you can put photos or messages to us on there showing us what you are doing at home as a family or you can communicate with your child’s key worker at any time.

What do I need to provide for my baby?

• Nappies
• Wipes
• Cream
• Formula milk - (we provide cows milk to drink)
• Calpol
• Any other medication
• Teething granules gel
• Spare labelled clothes
• Wellies and outdoor wear
• Sun cream and hat
• Comforter (if necessary)
• Grow bag (if necessary)

When do children leave the Baby Room?

Generally at the age of 2 but if your child needs more support and is not ready they will stay in baby room until we all feel that the move is right. On the other hand if we and yourself feel that your child is outgrowing the baby room we can look at moving them downstairs earlier if staffing allows it and we feel they would thrive from doing so.

How many babies do you have at one time?

We have up to 6 babies at one time in the baby room, we feel that a small group is much better and it allows us to spend quality time with each child and meet their individual needs and routine.

Will my child be required to bring anything with them when starting Nursery?

Yes – generally parents send their child to nursery with a bag each day with the relevant items listed below. However, we can store nappies, wet wipes, nappy cream and a spare change of clothes in their individual box or bag at nursery. Please consider weather conditions when providing your child with clothes for the day to ensure your child can join in with outside play even in the winter months. In hot weather children will need a suitable sun hat and we ensure children are protected with sun cream.

• Nappies
• Wet wipes
• Nappy Cream
• Dummy
• Comforter/special blanket to sleep with
• Spare change of clothes
• Outside clothing eg. Coats, scarf, hat, gloves etx appropriate to the weather

What happens when my child starts Nursery?

We want to find out as much as possible about your child and their routine and we’ll ask you to fill out a form, called ‘All About Me’, that will give us lots of information about their home life, routine and what their likes and dislikes are. We’ll ask about things like allergies, when they sleep and what kind of things they love to do. We’ll also ask if there are any activities or celebrations that you would not want your child to take part in whilst at nursery such as Halloween or Christmas and if you are happy for your child to have photos taken and be shown on our Facebook page. To ensure your child is happy when they start at Edenham you’ll be asked to bring your child to nursery for some taster sessions. This usually consists of two lots of 2 hour sessions prior to your child starting with us. We do encourage you to leave your child with us rather than staying at nursery to allow your child to become accustomed to this. We are very happy to call you to let you know how they are getting on if you are worried. When you come to collect your child we will let you know how they got on, show you photos and we will also go through the information you have provided us about your child to ensure we are fully up to speed with your child’s routine, likes/dislikes and any allergies or dietary requirements.

When is the setting open?

We are open Monday to Friday from 7.30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. We operate all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year.

What happens if I am delayed collecting my child?

Sometimes parents are unavoidably delayed. Please let us know as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary concerns. Arrangements will be made to look after your child until you arrive. In the event that you are more than 15 minutes late, we will have to make an additional charge to cover staff costs.

How do I know my child will be safe and secure?

All our staff undergo enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks before they are allowed to be with the children. In addition, references are taken up prior to starting work with us. All the toys and equipment are of a high quality and regular risk assessments on equipment and procedures are carried out to ensure everything is maintained to the highest standard. We carry out regular Fire Drills with the children, so that they become familiar with the routine, and should we have an emergency, we will be able to clear the building quickly and safely. We operate a password system to unknown people picking children up – parents confirm their password with staff when they drop off the child at the beginning of the session. When the unknown person comes to collect the child, they will be asked for the password before being allowed entry and to pick up the child. On no circumstances will any child be allowed to leave the premises with an adult the staff do not know and does not have the correct password.

How many staff will there be at Nursery?

The number of staff working at the Nursery depends on how many children are attending that particular day. We ensure we adhere to the staff to children ratio’s, which are:

• 1:3 for children under 2 years old.
• 1:4 for children aged between 2 and 3 years old.
• 1:8 for children aged 3 years and older.

Can I book extra sessions?

We are very happy to accommodate a request for extra sessions if we have the places available and are within our ratios. Please speak to a member of staff for availability.

How do I find out about my child’s day at nursery when I collect him/her?

Each member of staff will be able to give you a brief run-down of your child’s day at Nursery. We will provide your child with a daily diary that details the nappy changes, sleeps, meals/snacks and activities they have taken part in for parents/careers to look at. We also use an online communication system called Tapestry where we will record your child’s development and post observations of them for you to access with your own password. This is a two-way communication system so you can also post things your child has done at home or leave comments and feedback.

My child has a dietary requirement, food allergy/intolerance – can you accommodate this?

We can accommodate all dietary and cultural requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free & nut free.

What is a key worker?

Every child attending the setting is assigned a key person. The role of a key person is to assist in the learning of each child to help them reach their full potential and works closely with the child and their parents/guardians. Your child’s key person is responsible for compiling your child's Tapestry. This learning journal is a collection of written and photographic evidence relating to your child's development and progress whilst they are with us. It is important to remember that whilst the Key Person has responsibility for their child’s Tapestry, all members of staff undertake observations on all children. If you need to discuss anything about your child's development, please speak to their key person or the manager who will be happy to advise you.

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a method of working outdoors with children, young people and adults, using the natural environment to promote social and emotional development. It is an inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment. These learning experiences also help to develop communication and practical skills. The forest school environment encourages children to learn together in small, achievable steps. Initially, the group will learn about the importance of listening and following direction before they progress onto more advanced activities such as tending a fire and tool work.

What are the benefits of Forest School?

Forest School covers all of the key aspects of children’s learning: • Social development — problem solving, communicating, sharing and team building • Physical – fine and gross motor skills, movement • Speaking and listening skills - particularly through playing boundary games, learning our forest safety rules and through our reflection time at the end of each session • Literacy – we often use stories such as “The Gruffalo” to spark the children’s imagination during our adventures • Mathematics – lots of problem solving, measuring, sorting and counting will be encouraged. Den building is one activity that naturally lends itself to the development of maths skills • Art and Design – We often explore the sounds of nature, use natural materials to create and are always imaginative in our play • Health – Health is promoted by being outdoors and being active • Understanding the World - learning to be aware of the world around us and take care of their environment • Respect – children take ownership of their own areas and are also encouraged to listen and work together as a team

What happens during the Forest School day?

The children will be reminded to go to the toilet before changing into their outdoor clothing. They will be encouraged to help get their own clothing on. We then set out on our walk to Forest School. It takes about 15-20 minutes with little legs and lots of observing and puddle jumping on the way! ​ Once at the site we gather around the fire circle, where we talk through the safety rules for working outdoors and about respecting each other. ​ For every session we have a lesson plan which includes small group activities usually linked to the children’s current interests and learning. The children are free to access the planned activity or to engage in their own activity. Finally the group returns to the Fire Circle for the close of the session where we will have a snack and a drink (hot chocolate in the colder weather.) We then have a reflection time in which the children are allowed to have their say and to celebrate their achievements before walking back to the Nursery and Preschool. In the winter months we aim to return for noon. In summer months we run an extended session so children can enjoy having their lunch in the woods.

What sort of activities do the children do in Forest School?

Activities are generally linked to the children’s current interests. Typically these may include: • Music – keeping a beat or copying a rhythm pattern by beating sticks together, learning songs and singing as a group • Team games – building relationships and trust • Building dens and bridges that are suitable for them to sit in and walk on. • Whittling wood • Woodworking and using tools for a purpose • Literacy – Story telling around the fire, following trails and maps. • Digging in the digging area • Imaginative play in the mud kitchen • Investigation and nature identification • Tree climbing • Cooking on the fire • Nature observation and collection • Art – creating 3D pictures or sculptures out of clay or mud, colour matching and making our own charcoal to draw with

What tools will be used in Forest School?

In Forest School the children will be introduced to tools only when they are ready and will be taught how to use the tools safely on a on-to-onw basis with the Forest School Leader. Tools used include: potato peelers (this will be on a 1:2 ratio and they will be used to peel vegetables for snack or hazel sticks for cooking with.) • Palm drills and hand drills for making holes in the wood • Small knives for whittling • Bow saws, pruning saw, junior hacksaw for cutting wood • Hammers and screwdrivers • Lopers, secateurs, spades and trowels • Potato peelers to peel vegetables or hazel sticks for cooking with Protective Gloves can be used to protect the hand if worn on the bracing (supporting) hand but when working the child needs to feel the object and have a good grip at all times. All activities using tools are fully risk assessed and there will always be at least two qualified First Aiders on site.

If it’s cold or raining will Forest School still take place?

Forest School takes place in all seasons and only stops during extreme weather conditions. In windy conditions the session will take place in an alternative venue, usually either on the grass area near the castle, the lake or in the nursery garden. In cold/ hot/ wet weather a shelter will be provided. Children should bring spare clothes in case theirs get wet, especially spare socks!

What should your child wear for Forest School?

Clothing should be weather appropriate and layers are always good! Please ensure everything is named. In Winter • Warm socks • Wellingtons • Waterproof trousers and jackets (all-in-ones are fine too!) • Jumper • Woolly hat • Gloves • Spare set of clothes and socks In Summer • Suitable closed toe footwear • Long sleeved top • Trousers • Sun hat (preferably one that covers the back of the neck) • Waterproofs (in rainy conditions) • Socks • Sun cream • Spare set of clothes and socks In summer, children should come to Nursery/Preschool with sun cream already applied at home where possible, staff will reapply as necessary. Children will be encouraged to drink water throughout the session in hot weather.

What are the session times for Forest School?

Forest School session times are as follows: 09.30am – 12.00pm Wednesday and Friday (term time only) If your child cannot attend any of these sessions but they would love to attend, then please let us know which days/times are best for you and if we get enough interest, we may be able to add sessions.

When will my child start Pre-School?

Children start at Pre-School one year before they are due to start at Primary School. Sometimes we might feel it beneficial to start your child in Pre-School before that but progression to Pre-School is always judged on an individual basis.

Does my child need to be potty trained before starting Pre-School?

No. Potty training is all part of a child's individual develpoment and this doesn't form any part of the criteria for strating Pre-School.

Are you open on Christmas Eve?

Unfortunately we are not open.