Learn and Play
Skip to content 
In the years before school, your child will develop faster than at any other time in their life.
From birth, children are natural learners and we know that each child will learn and develop differently. Your child will be monitored by their key person, who assesses how they are developing and uses this to design activities to support their development. We will use your child’s interests to create games which support their next steps and our learning programme is based around the concept of learning through play.
Supporting each child's development
- We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, published by the Department for Education. The Framework looks to promote development in seven areas of learning.
We focus on the following areas of development:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Physical development
- Communication and language
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive art and design
Outdoors, your child will engage in hands-on activities to develop their skills using nature and natural materials. They might make art using leaves to develop their creativity, grow their imagination when building dens or improve their numeracy by counting sticks and stones.
Nutrition and Meals
Good nutrition for a good start to life
Nutritious food is vital for your child’s health and development and we are proud of the importance we place on our meals. All our food is designed with nutrition in mind, following the latest health guidance and government recommendations on diet in early years.
Our three menus rotate every week and are changed seasonally to ensure that your child is benefiting from a variety of fresh and delicious dishes. Meal plans are prepared using the Eat Better, Do Better guidance to ensure that each meal supports your child’s development. Our on-site cook prepares each meal freshly each day, using delicious fresh produce which is locally sourced where possible. We don’t add salt to meals, limit the use of sugar and incorporate at least five servings of fruit and vegetables each day.
All our staff are trained in food hygiene and have experience in supporting children at meal times. We support children to try new and different types of food – when surrounded by friends, many children are willing to try food which they normally ‘hate’ at home!
Working with you, we will always follow your home feeding routine for younger children. When you feel your child is ready, we will fully cooperate during the weaning process.
Babies moving onto solids are offered foods such as pureed vegetables before being gradually introduced to other flavours. They will eventually begin eating modified versions of the main meal eaten by the older children each day.
We treat mealtimes as a social occasion, where children can develop their communication skills with their friends.
We find that the social setting also encourages children to try different foods. Nursery aged children are much more likely to try different foods than older children and parents are often amazed at what their 'fussy eaters' will try when sat at the table with their peers.
We also use mealtimes to develop your child's independence. Supported by staff, they will serve themselves and older children will set the table.
We will always cooperate with parents to cater for your child's dietary requirements. Alongside the main meal, a vegetarian alternative is prepared each day and we will adapt meals as necessary to suit your child's needs.
We have a robust allergens policy in place and we work closely with you to ensure that we are aware of your child's intolerances.
Outdoor play
- Your child's favourite memories will be made playing outdoors with their friends, surrounded by nature.
We place an emphasis on taking advantage of our exceptional outdoor environment to help your child learn, play and grow. Alongside our spectacular Forest School, your child will also benefit from our large outdoor play facilities. Each room is directly connected to its own outdoor play area, so that your child can choose whether they want to play indoors or outdoors.
We know that some children prefer to learn outdoors, so our outdoor area is surrounded by trees and is full of activities to create an inspiring place to play.
Why parents love our nursery
Your child will benefit from an inspiring environment to play in. They can choose whether they would like to play inside or outside, with a wide range of activities available outdoors. This can range from letting off steam on bikes to reading or using natural materials as part of creative activities.
Each room has its own dedicated outdoor area, which includes a covered deck area for outdoor play in wet weather. Staff are always on hand to support and supervise outdoor activities.
Our ethos is based around learning through play, so our outdoor activities will help your child's growth and development. We know that some children prefer to learn outside, so the outdoor play areas all provide the same opportunities to develop their skills as the inside play areas.
This might be developing their motor and physical skills with our bikes or growing their creativity through role-play in the mud-kitchen. The children will get hands on with nature, helping to water produce in our vegetable garden.
Each month, your child will spend a week in our stunning Forest School. Just a few minutes walk away from the main nursery building, this inspiring environment is a favourite place to play.
Forest School is about using hands-on learning experiences to build your child's confidence and independence. They will take part in activities including den-making, bug hunts and stories around the campfire.
Partnership with parents
- We know a strong partnership between nursery and parents will help your child as they grow.
Continuity between nursery and home life is essential to help your child reach their full potential. We work closely with you so that both nursery and family know what makes each child unique and this allows us to provided the best care possible, tailored to their needs.
Our staff make time to talk to you, to discuss what your child has been doing each day and how they are progressing. We encourage all parents to build a relationship with their child’s key person, so that your child’s learning continues seamlessly between home and nursery.
In addition to these daily opportunities to talk with staff, we hold various events during the year – including parents’ evenings and social family events. We welcome involvement and suggestions from parents, who are always welcome to have a chat with the friendly management team.
We like to build a relationship with you where information flows in both directions. We will always tell you about your child's day and how they are progressing. At the same time, we are keen to hear about your child's development at home, so that we can better care for them at nursery.
Our team are experienced and are always on hand to discuss any issues that you might be having with your child at home.
Your child will be allocated a key person, who will be your main point of contact within the nursery. They track their child's progress in nursery and plan activities to support their development.
Your child's key person will also have a buddy – another member of staff within the room who is able to support the key person and step in for them if the key person is away. This means that there is always someone in the room who knows your child's progress and interests.
We also use the Famly online app to share information with you about your child. Accessed on your phone, tablet or computer, you will have your own secure login to access updates about your child.
The app will provide real time updates about what your child is doing, such as what they have eaten or whether they have slept. Photos are also uploaded so that you can see some of the activities your child has enjoyed.
Your secure account is password protected and you have control over who can access the information.