Welcome

Hello!

Thank you for considering Activeplay Nursery for your child. We recognise that you are trusting us with the care of someone very precious to you. We want your child to settle in and enjoy their time with us, and therefore we invite parents to attend nursery with their child and help them to acclimatise. Our open door policy means that parents and carers are able to come into the nursery at any time to visit their son or daughter or to experience the care they are receiving.

A safe environment

Your child's safety is of paramount importance. Doors are fitted with 'fingersafe' protectors to prevent trapping accidents. The nursery has strict policies in place to ensure the safety of children both on the premises and while on short trips into the local community.
All staff have of course been security checked, and as part of our recruitment procedure references are always checked.  Naturally a child is never released except to parents or to a named individual.

YUM!

Children of all ages experience a varied diet, and the opportunity to enjoy meals in a social setting with their peers. All food is freshly prepared by our cook on the premises, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and your child will gain confidence with new tastes. We can cater for special diets and requirements, so please let us know any special requests you may have.

m is for mouse...

As your child progresses to school age, familiarity with computers is a great advantage. We have computers for the children's use and a range of educational programmes to get children to use IT confidently and with enjoyment. Children love getting to know how to use a keyboard and mouse!

Fitting in with your active life

We know that the reality of modern life can be pressured, and work commitments often make family life more complicated. Our extended opening hours, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, mean that we can fit around you better than many nurseries. We offer part time and full time care, and are always happy to discuss short term or longer term special needs you may have, to try to ensure that childcare is something you don't have to worry about. We offer cost-effective, flexible care for children from 3 months to 5 years.  Children over the age of 3 years are entitled to up to 15 hours per week of free nursery education, funded by the government.  Please ask for details.

A great start in life

Attending nursery gives children a head start in the world of school. They develop not only educationally, but socially, learning to share and care for others. At Activeplay Nursery we encourage children to work co-operatively, to help their peers and to take responsibility for helping to tidy up. We are committed to fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding in which all children are valued and loved.

Actively learning

Our planned activities are chosen to support the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and to help your child reach his or her potential. Children learn and develop vital life skills through enjoyable games, stories, activities and lessons.  Indoors and out, we ensure a satisfying and involving programme for children of all ages.

Special needs

If your child has special needs, our SEN Officer will discuss with you how we can best meet these within the nursery. We will always do our best to encourage, develop and care for all children as individuals, and make whatever accommodation we can to make their time with us happy and safe.

Caring, committed staff

Our staff are at the heart of the nursery, and we value them. We aim to always exceed the staff:child ratios, and staff training requirements stipulated by law. All of our staff are experienced and professionally qualified, or working towards an appropriate qualification. We do not employ unqualified staff.  Naturally, all staff are security checked. We encourage staff to take extra training courses to further develop their skills.

indoors... outdoors

We take playtime as seriously as your child does! We have a safe, enclosed outside area for playing in fine weather, with opportunities for climbing, trike riding, let's-pretend, and growing our own plants. Indoors, we have role-play sessions, and equipment for both physical play and more reflective activities. Music, creative play and dressing up form part of daily activities, even for the youngest children. Books feature prominently in all rooms, with a cosy reading corner to encourage a love of storytelling and reading.  The nursery has a library which is used by all the children.

A family environment

Nursery should always be a happy experience for your child.  Our own children attended Activeplay Nursery, and we are committed to providing a friendly and cheerful setting where children can play and learn in a homely environment. Our key person system means that your child always has a particular adult who knows them well and can become a special friend. Your child will spend most of their time with their own age group, but different age ranges also come together for some activities - learning to live together, share and help one another. This reflects the reality of family life, and can be a particularly useful experience for children without siblings of their own.

What parents have said about Activeplay Nursery

The following are all quotes from letters received from parents at the nursery:

‘Thank you for all the care and attention you have given to X over the past year. She thoroughly enjoys her days there and has really grown in confidence over the past few months....thank you for your hard work’. Mr and Mrs R

‘All members of staff have always been responsive to our changing needs and I have always been pleased by their patience and understanding to the children. In particular I would like to thank Krissie and Diane (preschool room) who have worked extremely hard over the past year in helping my son learn numbers and letters....I did not realise the amount of work they have to put in at this stage and I am surprised they always look so cheery at the end of the day!’ Mrs T

‘....to all the lovely ladies who look after me so well, Mummy says thank you very much as well! Lots of love...’ Mrs A

‘I would like to take this opportunity to say how pleased I am with the nursery and all the staff, they are all so great and caring with X and from all their hard work we can see how X’s development has come on so well. I’d like to say how much he enjoys coming to your nursery and learning with all your staff. I feel he’s getting the best start to his education by attending your happy and friendly nursery.’ Ms L

‘My daughter’s three years in your nursery has been a great experience both for us and for her and she has indeed made lots of friends during her time. Once again we want to say a big thank you for everything you did to make it a pleasant experience for our daughter and your flexibility with us at all times.....we wish Activeplay a bright future and more grease to your elbow!’ Mrs O

‘The time has come for X to go to ‘big school’ now.....we would just like to say a big thank you to everybody for making us feel welcome and for looking after X so brilliantly. I know she has thoroughly enjoyed her time here and has learnt so much. Not all four year olds can count in French!’ Mr and Mrs S

‘Thank you so much for organising extra sessions for the children at short notice, we really do appreciate your help.’ Mrs F

‘I have to say, I am very impressed so far with Activeplay. I have worked in the care industry for five years, including inspections, therefore I was lucky enough to be quite informed about what to look for in a nursery. I suppose all any parent asks for is that their child is safe, happy and their needs are met. X came back from nursery (on her first day) and there was clear evidence that she had been kept busy and stimulated. My husband was shown photos of her making cakes. This helped us as parents not to be so anxious. Thanks to your staff; I can’t fault her care. Michelle (the nursery manager) is a credit to Activeplay!’ Mrs L

Revised January 2009