Squirrels Nursery

• Our new and improved Baby Room cares for 12 babies at any one time from aged 12 weeks to approximately 18 months old.
• We offer a intimate baby room to ensure we can meet the needs of all individual babies. Our ratio within this room is 1 staff member to every 3 babies.
• Each child has a designated key person who will work closely with you to create a care plan which caters for your child’s requirements in regards to food, sleep and routine.
• As your child develops your key person will work with you and your child to move over to the nursery routine this will help enrich your child’s social interactions.
• Our experienced Practitioners are aware that leaving your child for the first time can be difficult, so we will work closely with you to support you through settling in sessions.

During settling in sessions your child’s key person will take the time to fill in an ‘All About Me’ form to ensure we get to know your child as best as possible. You will also be introduced to our planning system, which has been carefully designed to have each child’s learning objectives and interests at the centre of everything we do.

• Our Seedling rooms cares for children from 18 months to approximately 2 years old.
• The ratio in this room is 1 member of staff to 3 children.
• Within this room we only have 12 children at any one time.
• Our Seedling room offers 5 different learning areas; Quiet/reading , role-play, physical, small world/construction and creative; to allow flexibility of activities for a range of development levels based on the needs of the children.
• They have access to the sensory room, as well as the outdoor area and are taken for walks around our community.
• Our experienced staff are aware that leaving your child for the first time may be a difficult process, so we ensure you have plenty of opportunities for visits prior to starting.

Your child’s key person will take the time to fill in a questionnaire about your child’s needs, likes, dislikes, routine and development levels within the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS). This allows us to plan for your child and ensure they have access to resources that will both interest and stimulate them.

• When your child is developmentally ready at approximately 2 years old your child will move up to our Sapling room.
• This is a busy and vibrant room where the children start to become more independent. The ratio for our 2 to 3-year-olds is 1 member of staff to 4 children.
• The children are encouraged to join in with small group activities such as story time and simple circle games.
• Our Sapling room is arranged to make the most out of the space and provide the children with many areas to explore and develop in the seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS).
• At snack times and lunch, the children sit at a table with a small group of peers and a member of staff who encourages the children to use forks and spoons independently and drink from open top cups.

The staff will work with you to encourage your child to begin toilet training when ready, they will gain a widened vocabulary and will be introduced to early literacy and numeracy in a more direct way alongside a variety of opportunities for physical play within the outdoor area and sensory room

• On reaching their next development stage around 3 years of age the children move to Preschool.
• The ratio is 1 member of staff to 8 children.
• We ensure the children have lots of opportunities to develop within the seven areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS).
• Throughout the day multiple play-based activities focusing on the children’s current interests are located around the room to make your child’s day fun and informative.
• When arriving in preschool for their session the children are encouraged to recognise and find their own nametag to hang on a chosen peg with their bag and coat.
• They will partake in circle times where we discuss what the children would like to learn, show and tell achievements or special times in their lives, read stories, play focused games and sing songs.
• Importantly we help the children to grow independence by challenging them in all areas and allowing them to take risks and explore in a fun and safe environment.
• We believe it is important for the children’s learning and development to try new and challenging things whether that be putting on their own coats, cutting up their own food, or filling up their own water bottles (of course we are always on hand and happy to help, but a little motto we have in preschool is “you try it first”).

Upon leaving preschool we aim for the children to have a basic knowledge of numbers, writing, reading, early science and ICT abilities and the independence, social skills and enthusiasm for learning to thrive in the future.

Our Approach to Early Childhood Educaction

At Squirrels Nursery, we tailor our approach to each child’s learning and development through individualised assessment. Our practitioners understand each child’s achievements and interests, shaping learning experiences to match.

• Individual Assessments: Practitioners and parents share observations to gauge each child’s progress. A baseline assessment is conducted by the key person once the child is settled, and this is reviewed termly to celebrate progress.
• Progress Check at Age Two: For children aged 24-36 months, we provide parents with a written summary of their child’s development in communication, language, personal, social, emotional, and physical areas, as required by the EYFS (2021) framework.
• Support for Special Educational Needs (SEN): If a child is identified with SEN through assessments or parental concerns, additional assessments are conducted. Our SENCo collaborates with families, staff, and professionals to ensure targeted support and appropriate provisions are in place.

By understanding and responding to each child’s unique needs, we create a supportive and enriching environment for all children to thrive.

• Squirrels nursery have improvement plans for all rooms which is devised by observations, environmental audits and supervision feedback.
• We work closely with local Reception teachers to ensure that when children leave us at the end of their preschool year they have the necessary skills to thrive in a school setting. We work collaboratively with schools to ensure an effective and supportive programme is created to ensure a smooth transition.
• We also regularly gather and consider feedback from children, practitioners and parents to ensure that quality of our practice and provision is constantly improving. Children are consulted through for their views. Staffs are provided with opportunities to share their thoughts at team meetings and within supervisions. Parents are consulted and have opportunities to share their views through questionnaires and feedback forms.
• Any feedback and information gathered is reflected on by our leadership and management team and our practice and provision is shaped accordingly to ensure high standards of care and education are consistently provided.

Where can I find more information about 2, 3 & 4-year-old funding and Tax-free childcare?

We provide Nursery Education Funding for eligible 2-year-olds, as well as 15 hours funding for all 3 and 4 year-olds and 30 hours funding for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds.

The term after your child’s third birthday is when they become entitled to a minimum of 15 hours funded care for 38 weeks of the year. We will claim the funding on your behalf and invoice for any additional time or costs. You will be asked to fill out a parent claim form and we will forward this to the local authority in order to claim your funding.

For more information you can access: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ to find out more about how you can get help with childcare costs.

Vouchers:
We accept all childcare vouchers. Useful information on Child Tax Credit can be found at: http://taxcredits.direct.gov.uk/

We are open for 51 weeks per year and offer flexible sessions/full days between 8.00am and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.

Fee Rates Effective From 1st April 2026

Hourly rate: £8.50

How are we Invoiced?

• Invoices are e-mailed to yourself the first week of the month. These must be paid 7 days after receiving the invoice via the reception in Willow Trees either by cash or chip and pin, or you can pay via a bank transfer, the bank details are at the bottom of the invoice.
• All invoices are sent via the email you have provided on your booking and fees agreement.
• Full amount is required to be paid when children are off for any reason- Unless prior arrangement has been made by Manager.
• You will still be charged on bank holidays and when the nursery closes due to adverse weather.
• Further information regarding terms and conditions is available in the registration pack.