The Baby Room
Welcome to the Baby Room, a warm and nurturing space designed specifically for our youngest members.
In this cosy environment, infants from 3 months old are cared for and engaged by our experienced team. The Baby Room is equipped with soft, safe areas for play, exploration, and rest, ensuring your little one’s comfort and well-being. We prioritise a gentle introduction to social and sensory experiences, tailored to support the developmental stages of each baby. Here, your child will start their journey of growth and discovery in a caring, attentive setting.
The Baby Room Benefits
Here are some of the baby room benefits a nursery environment can offer for babies
Language Development
Through gentle interactions and engaging activities, babies in our care are exposed to a rich tapestry of language. Whether it’s through songs, stories, or simple conversations, these interactions lay the groundwork for future communication skills.
Social Exploration
Surrounded by peers, babies learn social cues and develop important relationship-building skills in new environments.
Building Core Strength and Stability
From tummy time to crawling and beyond, the baby room provides a safe space for babies to build core strength and coordination, laying the foundation for future physical development.
Support for Parents
Our nursery practitioners are here to support you through key milestones such as weaning and toilet training, addressing any worries or questions you may have about your baby along the way.
Toilet Training
We recognise that every child grows and develops uniquely, so we have no set expectations for when a child should start potty training. Our team is always ready to talk through this transition with you, offering personalised advice and support when you feel your child is ready. We’re here with plenty of guidance and tips to assist you on this journey.
Reading with Your Little One
In the baby room, reading time is a cherished part of our daily routine. This special moment is filled with captivating stories and colourful picture books that not only stimulate the imagination but also support language development and cognitive growth. As we gather in our cosy reading corner, the gentle sound of words and the vibrant illustrations engage the little ones, fostering an early love for books.
Baby Sleep Times:
Supporting Healthy Development
Our priority is to provide a secure and nurturing environment that respects each child’s developmental needs and natural sleep patterns. In line with the Lullaby Trust’s guidelines, we strive to create optimal conditions for restful naps.
Upon joining, we’ll discuss your child’s usual sleep routine with you, aiming to replicate their home environment as closely as possible within our nursery setting. We uphold the belief that children under 3 should have at least 45 minutes of sleep, to ensure they receive the full physiological benefits essential for their growth and brain development.
For baby sleep times, we offer cots, coracles, or sleep mats, crafting a snug space for a peaceful sleep. If you have any questions or specific needs regarding your child’s nap routine, we encourage you to talk to your child’s key person during the settling-in period.
Understanding Childcare Funding
We understand that the cost of childcare can be a significant concern for many families. Fortunately, there are government-supported options available to help alleviate some of this financial burden.
Nature’s Nursery:
Exploring the Outdoors with Baby
Outdoor play is a joyful and vital part of our baby room routine, offering little ones the chance to explore the wonders of nature in a safe and stimulating environment. With gentle guidance, babies engage in activities that nurture their curiosity and physical development. From the sensory delight of feeling grass under tiny fingers to the awe-inspiring discovery of leaves rustling in the breeze, outdoor play is an invitation to a world of sensory experiences.
Baby FAQS
Here are a few frequently asked questions that you may find helpful when starting your journey with one of our nurseries.
What age do babies go to nursery?
Cherry only sites: Babies can start attending nursery from as young as 3 weeks old.
Other sites: At our nurseries, we welcome babies starting from 3 months old.
Will my child go out on trips and outings?
Yes, your child will have the opportunity to participate in trips and outings. When your child joins us, we’ll seek your consent for local walks and excursions, emphasising the importance of community engagement and fostering a sense of civic responsibility in children. For trips beyond our local area, we’ll always consult with parents and carers beforehand. There might even be chances for you to join in and experience the adventure alongside your child.
Is it likely that my child is going to pick up illnesses from nursery?
As your child starts at nursery their immune system is still developing. Please be prepared that they may be exposed to more bugs and germs.
We promote the good health of all children attending. To help keep children healthy and minimise infection, we do not expect children to attend nursery if they are unwell. If a child is unwell, it is in their best interest to be at home resting.
We understand that children will pick up common colds, and as long as they are well enough to manage the routine of a nursery day, they are able to attend. We do follow NHS guidance and Health Protection England for all exclusion periods. This includes 48 hours exclusion for sickness and diarrhoea bugs and ask for all children to be off for the first 24 hours when prescribed antibiotics. Please speak to your nursery manager if you have any specific questions.
How do you keep the nursery and resources clean and hygienic?
Each nursery has their own cleaning schedule for all resources and playrooms, with increased cleaning in baby and toddler rooms where children may still be exploring the resources with their mouths.
Can someone other than us as parents collect out child from nursery?
We take the safety and security of our children and team very seriously. The children will only be allowed to leave the nursery with those known to us.
At registration we require for all children to have name, telephone number and security password for at least one person we could contact in an emergency. We understand that from time to time you may wish for someone else to collect your child from nursery. In these cases, we must have their details uploaded on to your child’s EY account and it must have a password that can be used for additional security measures.
If you are running late to collect your children, you must communicate the nursery so they are aware and, in some cases, an additional fee will be applied to your bill.
How do we keep children safe?
The nursery has security systems in place to ensure that nobody gains access to the nursery premises that are not authorised to do so.
What happens if my child has an accident at nursery?
We always tell our parents that nursery is not risk free. Judging risk is a skill children need to develop in a considered and controlled way. The team regularly assess the risks in our environment, but sometimes children will have bumps and falls, and this is a normal stage in their development as they negotiate different spaces, other children, and their ever-growing little bodies. The team will always tell you if your child has had an accident whilst in nursery and ask you to sign a form that explains how it happened.
How many adults will be working with my child?
In our nursery, we boast a diverse array of qualifications and experiences among our team members. Each individual brings something unique to our team. Adhering to the standards set by the Department of Education, we maintain specific ratios:
- one adult per three babies (0-2 years),
- one adult per four toddlers (2-3 years, with potential extension to one adult per five in exceptional cases), and
- one adult per eight children (3-5 years).
Is the nursery registered with Ofsted?
Yes the nursery is registered, and regulated by Ofsted. They will inspect the nursery at least once every 6 years. During inspections Ofsted will want to know what it is like for your child at our setting and will spend time observing daily routines and learning experiences. They will focus on children’s development, progress, safety and well-being.
How are the nursery school fees paid?
All nursery fees are due by direct debit or your tax free childcare account. Invoices will be sent electronically through our online platform. All holidays, public holidays and days where you child is poorly are payable in full.
Do you offer any nursery school discounts?
Yes, we offer the following discounts;
- NHS – 5%
- Sibling discount – 5% on your oldest child
How much notice do I need to give is I would like to reduce my child’s session or I am planning to leave the nursery?
We require 4 weeks’ notice for any reduction in sessions or if you wish to leave the nursery.
How much sleep will my child have at the nursery?
We uphold the belief that children under 3 should have at least 45 minutes of sleep, to ensure they receive the full physiological benefits essential for their growth and brain development. If you have any questions or specific needs regarding your child’s nap routine, we encourage you to talk to your child’s key person during the settling-in period.