Tiny Tots Nursery: developing Time

Our Tiny Tots Nursery is a calm yet vibrant part of the setting, comprising of a Playroom, Quiet Room and Activity Room.

We value TIME for our Tiny Tots.  We take TIME to get to know their characters, we give them TIME to explore activities, and TIME to develop their independence skills, as well as TIME as they begin their self-regulation journey – supporting them to express their emotions and helping them learn to play together, recognising the needs of others.

Children enjoy the reassurance of being with their own Key Carers whilst benefiting from a free-flow system out to an all-weather landscaped Garden, enabling them to explore an extensive range of activities.

They also enjoy access to our Quiet Room, equipped with twinkly lights, which is used for quiet activities such as Heuristic Play or small Stories using props, as well as being a calm environment for the children to nap if they so wish.  They share the Activity Room with its Community Playthings climbing frame with our Babies, and enjoy lots of time downstairs in our Studio.

MOVING TO THE TINY TOTS NURSERY: What is new?

TRANSITION: When we, and you, feel your little one is ready to move to the Tiny Tots nursery, we will invite you to make an appointment to meet with your child’s new Key Carers and Room Leader.  We will make lots of little visits, with a member of the Baby Nursery staff accompanying your child for each settle, as they gradually become used to the new routines and environment.

REST AND SLEEP: Our youngest Tots still sleep in double-decker bunk cots, whenever they require a rest, while older children relax in the darkened Quiet Room on dedicated sleep mats.  Peaceful music is played, soothing them to sleep. Sleep times are noted on each child’s ParentZone entry.

TWO-YEAR CHECK: As part of the Integrated Review, whenever your child turns two, you will be invited into the Nursery to have a meeting with your child’s Key Carer to go through their Development Check. We will ensure we have the most accurate picture of your child! You will then be given a copy to take with you to your child’s Two-Year Health Check with their Health Visitor. We also have termly visits from our local Community Nursery Nurse who provides us with lots of advice and support!

ENVIRONMENT: Our little ones spend lots of time outdoors, running in the Tinies Garden and exploring the back playground. Indoors, they benefit from a wooden-floored Playroom and carpeted cosy, relaxing areas as well as plenty of space for messy play!

FOOTWEAR: To aid in your child’s growing independence, our children are requested to wear slippers (with non-stick soles) to wear indoors (no shoes, as children of this age to spend the majority of their time on the floor for activities!), and wellington boots to wear outdoors. We will support them in changing their footwear and feel that wellies and slippers offer the best opportunity to increase your child’s independence levels.  We are fortunate as a setting (as opposed to many situations at home) that we can take as long as is necessary to prepare to go outside – meaning the children can spend as long as they wish helping one another to put on their coats and learning to do zips and poppers up on coats.