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Operational Times
The Nursery is open between 8.00am and 6.00pm for 50 weeks each
year, only closing for statutory Bank Holidays and one week over the
Christmas period and one week during the Easter period.
Staffing
Our Nursery is managed by a team of qualified, caring and
experienced staff. Within the Nursery we operate to a ratio of 1 member
of staff to every 4 (children aged 2 years) and children aged 3 plus to
a ratio of 1 member of staff to every 8 children. We are pleased to
inform that you that ALL of the nursery nurses employed at Chatterbox
hold a recognised childcare qualification.
In addition to the registered staff we also have two unqualified
students currently completing Diplomas in childcare whilst on
apprenticeships
Ages
Our Nursery recruits children between the ages of 2 years and
5 years old, with the view of providing pre-school education. Upon
leaving Nursery to go to school, parents have the option of placing
their children within JJs Holiday Club if required, and spaces
permitting.
The Structure of Nursery
Our Nursery children are grouped in mixed age groups which are
closely monitored to ensure children learn from and have empathy for
others. Equipment is age appropriate.
Pre-School Education
Whilst your children are with us at Nursery they will participate
in an excellent Educational Programme designed to provide a solid
platform for them to build upon at school. Upon commencing Nursery,
your children are introduced into a world of learning, whether this be
through manipulative play, imaginative play, physical play, intellectual
skills or most importantly, through fun and interaction with other
children.
Our Nursery aims, assisted by qualified and experienced staff to develop
your child intellectually, emotionally and socially for their years
ahead at school. We aim to provide your child with a stimulating
programme of activities to include mark making, pre-maths, sand and
water, free and imaginative play, cookery as well as a great deal of art
and craft work. Within all three individual nurseries the children
follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Please note that we
have produced an information booklet for parents explaining the Early
Years Foundation Stage and this is handed out to every parent when their
child commences at Nursery.
Admissions
All parents, along with their child, are invited to make an
appointment to view our premises. Senior will conduct your tour, which
details our procedures and gives an insight into the structure of the
different sessions we offer. Before the tour, parents are provided with
a copy of our nursery Prospectus. At this stage, parents can either make
a booking or be placed on the relevant waiting list.
We operate a waiting list for each session that we offer and any child
can be added to the list at any time. When a space becomes available the
child nearest the top of the list, depending upon age, will be allocated
that space and their parents contacted. This includes children with
additional needs. Children who are already attending the nursery or
siblings will be given first priority on available sessions before we
offer these to those children on our main waiting list.
Settling In
We advise new parents that if possible to book their child in for
more than one session as past experience has shown that these children
settle quicker and benefit more in the long term. Before a child starts
with us their parents will be invited to attend a visit conducted by
the relevant nursery supervisor. We will ask you to complete forms
during their initial visit to the nursery, is completed at home and
details all relevant information on their child such as allergies,
medical conditions, routines, dietary requirements and activities which
their child enjoys at home. Following the visit all children who will be
attending the Nursery are invited to attend 2/3 settling in sessions in
order to make this transition as smooth as possible. When children start
with us we may ask parents to leave if their child becomes unsettled, if
the staff feel they might settle more readily on their own or ask
parents to extend their Childs settling in period . If you go home we
will ask parents to ring us during the session to check on their child.
If a child does not settle we will monitor during the first few weeks
and might suggest reducing the session time scale. Please allow a
settling in period of up to 6 weeks for your child.
Visits
The Nursery organises visits throughout the year – last year we went to
the Natural History Museum in London with parents.
School Visits
As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum we are pleased to
advise that we are working with other providers/schools in the
local community. During these sessions the staff/children have the
opportunity to meet the school teachers, visit the classrooms,
experience a variety of opportunities as well as familiarising
themselves with the workings of a busy school. Our thanks go to Mrs
Baker, Partnership Co-ordinator /Teacher of Kempshott Infant School and
her staff for making these meetings/visits possible.
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Lorraine Smith
