Homely environment
We are a small homely nursery welcoming children from rising 2 to school entry age. We are registered for 26 children per day, and are based in Northchurch Cricket Club. We have access to a spacious and scenic environment which we use in all weathers. Children can use large outdoor equipment i.e. Bikes scooters, on the fenced patio, and have the chance to play and explore on the large field. The children are grouped according to age for focussed activities which are carried out in various parts of the nursery. There is a wide variety of toys and equipment to interest and stimulate your child at different stages of their development.
Staffing
Our experienced staffing team are qualified to a high standard. All staff are CRB checked our staff turn over is low and we pride ourselves on maintaining a close knit, dedicated team, who are always happy to help with any queries or concerns.
Parents / Carers
Parent will be given a 'Teddy sheet' or weekly 'Topic sheet' in order to give written feedback on their child's week within the setting.
Children and parents are welcome for settling in sessions before their start date in order to build a good relationship with the team. This provides an opportunity for the team to discuss dietary / medical requirements and development so that we can meet your child's individual needs.
The team carry out regular observation in order to meet children's individual needs, and the early years foundation stage requirements, which recognises that all 0 - 5 year olds have a need to develop and learn through interaction with people and exploration of the world around them.
These observations are then written in our Log book and your child's individual tracker book which follows their developmental progress, copies of these observations are available to parents at the end of every day, on the notice board.
Curriculum
We follow the early years foundation stage throughout the setting which combines ėthe curriculum guidance for the foundation stage' (2000), the ėbirth to three' (2002) framework. This is divided up into four main areas:-
- A unique child.
- A positive relationships.
- Enabling environments.
- Learning and development.
In order to meet the different stages of development, the children within the setting are divided into two main groups. In Yellow group (rising 2 to 3) the focus is largely on play opportunities to develop children's physical, personal and social development. Activities include outdoor play, painting, water, sand, role play, art and craft. In Red group (rising 3 to 5) children are given the opportunity to explore the curriculum further, through circle time and more structured games and learning experiences. Children may carry out their funded nursery education with us, group sizes are small and focused which enables us to maintain the caring environment in the nursery.
Before and After nursery school care is available.
Medical / Dietary / Cultural requirements / Special educational needs
All meals are prepared freshly every day so we are able to cater for all medical, dietary and cultural needs.
We are committed to provide equality of opportunity for all children and families. We welcome children with Special Educational needs.
We are happy to provide a copy of policies on request to families within the setting.
Opening times and Holidays
Home from Home is open for 50 weeks of the year, closing only over the Christmas and New Year period plus all Bank Holidays.
The nursery day is from 8.00am to 5.45pm.
If you should need to start earlier than 8.00am or finish later than 5.45pm, this can be arranged.
Terms and Conditions
Fees are payable one month in advance, due on the 25th of the preceding month. (except for payments by Standing Orders these are paid on 1st day of the month).
Fees are calculated for the 50 weeks that the Kindergarten is open and divided by 12 months giving 12 equal payments throughout the year, parents are encouraged to start and finish using calendar months.
There are no reductions or refunds for absences while the Kindergarten is open (50 weeks of the year) this includes bank holidays.
Four full weeks notice in writing must be received by the Kindergarten from parents wishing to withdraw their child.
A non-refundable administration fee of £50.00 is required with application for a place, and the first months fees are required as deposit to reserve a place at the Kindergarten.
Fees
The current fee schedule is available from the Nursery as part of the Prospectus.
We aim to offer a very high standard of care at a price that is competitive.
Many parents also save both tax and national insurance on much of their fees, by having their employer pay part of their salary as a childcare voucher, all the vouchers schemes are accepted towards fees.
In addition, many working parents are entitled to the childcare component of the working tax credit system for which our fees qualify. More details are available at the Inland Revenue tax credit website.
