Woodlands is managed by Kelly Bartle, who has a Foundation Degree in Early Years as well as many years experience of caring for children.
In our warm and friendly ground floor baby rooms we offer our youngest children a cosy, happy and also stimulating environment. Their time with us is spent exploring and investigating their world, whilst socialising and interacting with other children and adults. We offer a wide variety of interesting activities and toys, which are regularly rotated to keep babies stimulated and learning through exploration. We cater for all their needs, following their own routines and providing a home from home at nursery. Our baby sleep room provides a peaceful sleeping place for all baby room children who need a quiet area for sleep during the day.
We endeavour to work closely with you to ensure that we follow your baby's own routine with regard to sleep patterns, feeding times, comforters and any special requirements. Each baby has a daily diary sheet with a description of their routine for that day which you are free to take home with you.
"The nursery has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with enthusiastic, approachable staff, who work well together as a team promoting children's welfare and learning." Woodlands OFSTED 2009
The tweenies rooms on the first floor offer a new and exciting world to the children, where they have more opportunities to develop and explore using their senses. The rooms provide a safe and friendly base from where the children can engage in new experiences such as baking, role play, creative activities and music & movement. In this age group they learn to be increasingly independent, socialising and interacting with others and gaining confidence. The children can select and choose play, in rooms organised to offer choice with areas for different activities. More independence is gradually encouraged and the tweenies staff team will work closely alongside you and your child when you feel they are ready to start toilet training.
"Warm and caring staff effectively promote positive behaviour, ensuring children receive lots of praise, encouragement and affection. As a result, they are well behaved, have good manners and show a strong sense of security." Woodlands OFSTED 2009
Our annexe caters for our eldest children, where activities are often topic based and are planned to follow the development needs and interests of the children. The Annexe has a messy area, a mark-making area, a quiet corner, a role play area, a mathematical area, and a construction & small world area. The children move through these areas during the day, where they are invited to participate in various fun activities, including music and singing, dancing, story time, sand and water play, imaginary and imitative play. Pre-school children are helped to develop towards the Early Learning Goals, and are introduced to early numeracy and literacy skills, at all times focussing on learning through play. All annexe children have access to a computer, allowing them the opportunity to develop early IT skills. We operate a 'free-flow' system to the outdoors, allowing children to choose whether to play and learn outdoors or inside as often as weather permits. We encourage our children to develop self-confidence and independence by giving them responsibility for various tasks such as pouring their own drinks, putting on coats etc or preparing snacks.
The pre-school has received an excellent OFSTED report, and we are able to claim government funding for 3 and 4 years olds, which is claimed by us and deducted from your monthly fees.
