Mission Statement
To provide a safe, stimulating, happy and nurturing pre-school environment where children can learn happily and confidently, through play.
We offer your child:
- The support of a personal key person.
- Individual care and attention made possible by a high ratio of staff to children.
- A specially tailored curriculum leading to the early learning goals.
How the Key Person system works
At Dovedale Nursery every child is given a key person, usually when they enrol.
- Your child’s key person will discuss with you your child’s likes and dislikes, any dietary needs, special words or phrases your child uses, any concerns you may have.
- You and your child’s key person will work together to devise the best way to settle your child into Nursery.
- The key person will normally be there to welcome your child to the Nursery, introduce them to staff and playmates and will be close by for security whilst your child finds his/her feet.
- The key person will encourage your child to be independent.
- The key person will provide comfort and reassurance if your child is upset.
- The key person will monitor your child’s progress in the Nursery by observation during play, providing activities to help your child develop cross all curriculum areas while having fun.
- Records will be kept of your child’s achievements and you may see these by arranging a time to meet with the key person.
- Most importantly, your child’s key person will work in partnership with you to ensure that your child will benefit fully from his/her time at Nursery and reaches his/her full potential.
Meeting your children’s needs
Through the provision of a structured environment using good quality equipment as well as creative and caring staff, we endeavour to ensure that your child’s needs are met.
Observations will be made of your child during play and social times, to build up a picture of his/her needs and interests. This knowledge will be used to inform our activity planning, to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all children.
Your child’s key person will use these observations to provide an individual learning journey of your child which you are welcome to access by arrangement.
At the end of your child’s time with us, these learning journeys will be yours to keep and share with school.
Diet – policy and practice
Sharing refreshments plays an important part in the social life of nursery as well as reinforcing the children’s understanding of healthy eating.
- A snack is provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon
- All snacks and meals provided will be fresh, wholesome and nutritious
- All children’s dietary needs will be discussed before the child starts nursery and arrangements will be made to meet those needs where possible.
- A wide range of foods from different cultures will be offered
- Religious requirements, vegetarian/vegan preferences will be respected
- Water is constantly available
- Menus of both snacks and meals are available
- Milk provided is whole and pasteurised
Lunch time
The cost of a hot lunch is included in the fees, although parents may provide their own food after discussion with staff.
Staff will also discuss our healthy eating policy with parents and offer guidance on the contents of a lunch box.
Learning Themes
We approach each new term with a new theme chosen by the team in each playroom which reflects the current interests of the children. Ideas are used based on the 6 areas of learning. We value both indoor and outdoor experiences equally and plan for both. Your child will choose in which area they would like to play. Copies of our plans are available on the notice board for parents to access. Please feel free to read these and discuss them with us.
Staff are always happy to have offers of help in any capacity. We value your ideas and support and would be delighted if you would like to share any skill or creative ability you may have with the children. There is a Parent Helper Rota pinned to the notice board in the lobby, if you would like to add your name.
We encourage children to appreciate the wonders of the natural world and have developed a stimulating outdoor area which can be freely accessed throughout the day. We have nursery pets to foster an understanding of how to care for living things.
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