Little Buds is based in the Huddleston Centre in Powell Road and which gives us lots of space for your child to explore.
We have various dedicated areas including a book corner for reading, a home corner for role play, a floor area for construction and an area for the under twos. We have a separate room in which smaller children can take a nap. This room is continuously monitored by a member of staff trained in safe sleep when it is being used.
We have a well equipped garden with play equipment, including a climbing frame and slide, bikes and scooters, a sand pit and a mud kitchen. We have a shaded area where children can read outside quietly and also a range of umbrellas so that we can use the garden when it is raining.
We have a small growing area where we grow herbs and vegetables, which eventually end up on our lunch tables. This helps to foster an interest in nature and the environment. Yes, that does include a fascination with creepy crawlies!
We encourage children to access the resources they want by themselves, but if they are unable to do so, they quickly learn how to ask an adult for help and support, often taking the adult by the hand and pointing out the toy or resource that they want. Choosing what they want to play with is an important part of gaining independence. We do of course have structured activities prepared and planned by our staff to aid in the development of the children in our care.
Settling in to Nursery
Some children will settle right into Nursery routine and others take a little longer. Your child may need a little time to adapt being way from home and family.
Our policy is to allow the child all the time he or she needs. Parents are encouraged to remain with their child for as long as is necessary. We do have a strategy for gradually reducing parental time in the Nursery, but it is at the child’s pace.
This approach helps the child to get to know the staff and other children without feeling overwhelmed, and allows the parents to see how the Nursery works and to feel part of our family.
Induction Procedure
All new parents and carers are invited to go through our induction folder which includes our Nursery Policies and information about the Nursery. You will have the opportunity to discuss any issues with a member of staff, such as your child’s diet, any allergies, sleep pattern and routine, and things that your child likes or dislikes.
Early Years Foundation Stage
We follow the curriculum set out in the EYFS closely, covering physical development, understanding the world, expressive arts and design, language and coomunicaiton, literacy. personal, social, and emotional development and maths.
We cover the areas though the use of a theme lasting about 4 weeks in areas such colours, seasons, animals, transport, myself, mini-beasts.
We prepare the children for Reception, making sure that they are out of nappies and properly toilet trained, and that they are able to dress and undress themselves and feed themselves.
We work on developing their social skills with other children and with adults, ensuring that they know how to share with others, take turns and to respect the boundaries that a nursery or reception class might need.
Partnership with Parents
We also work carefully with parents in order to ensure that the work we do within the setting is mirrored at home and vice versa. We provide parents with a notebook outlining what we are doing in the setting. We are always available for a chat when you drop off and pick up your child.
We also have a monthly breakfast for parents and carers on the last Friday of the month. This helps you to meet with staff a little more informally and also to meet with other parents and carers. As your children start to develop friendships with other children it can become very helpful for you to know each other.
Jocelyn and the Little buds team have supported me and my family in more ways words could explain. Both my children have attended for two years; my son starting at one and my daughter at 2. At the time I was studying for my PGCE and about to start my teaching career. Finding a nursery with staff that I could trust made all the difference.
From the first day, the staff were warm, caring and invested in my children’s overall development. My children quickly built attachements to the staff and were able to feel safe and confident.
One of my favourite things were the mini diaries my children were given and notes were made on the highlights of their day. This allowed me to see what they had eaten, the activities they enjoyed and their new skills and words. This gave me a sense of peace and allowed me to feel like I wasn’t missing out on any moment of their growth.
Overall, being assured they were so well looked after and thriving with their friends allowed me to focus on my studies and career.
I will always be grateful to everyone at Little Buds for supporting me and my kids to achieve what we have. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to any parent in search for a loving and professional nursery.
Thank you to every single member of staff for everything you have done for my bunnies.
Love,
Sireen and Mohammed’ Mum x