Our Nursery Environment

At IDA Nurseries we feel children must be offered and allowed to engage in exciting and challenging activities, which support and extend their learning and development. They must have a full and stimulating environment to encourage a range of play, exploration and talk. They need to be able to choose, create, investigate, explore, initiate and persist with activities.

We believe that children are active learners from birth and by providing them with the right environment, support and experiences, it will help to encourage their curiosity, imagination and creativity. We also need to ensure that we stimulate each child emotionally and intellectually by providing the best circumstances to promote active learning.

The nursery rooms are organised into clearly defined areas to accommodate different activities appropriate to the development and competence of the children. Areas are divided by the use of low level shelving that reduces distraction and allows children to become engrossed in their activities.

Low level shelving also allows items to be displayed within reach so that children can make deliberate choices about what they want to use in their activities. They have access to a range of materials such as sand, water and paint which helps their creativity and develops their independence. Equal emphasis is placed on calm areas of the nursery where the children can feel cosy and enjoy stories, rhymes and songs. Wooden toys, materials which encourage children to discover solutions for themselves, and mirrors enhance tactile and visual stimulation. Every environment is designed to encourage physical skills such as crawling, sitting, standing and walking which are all important for development.

We use specialist play equipment that has been designed to invite exploration and specially selected for quality and play value. This ensures that whatever your child chooses to play with, their learning and development will be supported and extended. The babies in our care are introduced to discovery play through treasure baskets that contain a mixture of natural materials that vary in feel and texture and offer a sensory experience for heuristic play.

CCTV

Our High Wych Nursery is equipped with CCTV throughout. We find this beneficial when a child first joins nursery as parents can come into the office and watch how their child is settling and leave with peace of mind that they are happy and well cared for.

 

Security

Our High Wych Nursery is equipped with a video intercom door entry system so that we know exactly who is entering the premises.

We also ask for photos of anyone who may collect your child as well as a password and written consent.

 

Meals

IDA Nurseries aim is to make mealtimes a happy, social occasion with a healthy and well balanced diet. We regularly send out questionnaires asking parents how they feel about what we have on our menus and try to keep them similar to the healthy meals that you would provide for your child at home.

We offer breakfast, a mid morning snack, a warm nutritious lunch, a mid afternoon break and a delicious light tea towards the end of the day.   Our menu runs on a 3 week cycle and has been devised by a qualified Nutritionist.  Water is also available throughout the day.

For babies under 1 year their weaning plan is discussed with parents so that any dietary issues we may not be aware of can be included.

 

Our parent partnership

We recognise that children's first impressions of the world begin at home and it is therefore vital that both the nursery and parents work together. Parents are encouraged to share their ideas with us to help shape the service we offer to the children.

We value the contributions made by parents and will actively seek a partnership through which the children will benefit by having continuous and consistent care. This is an essential ingredient in supporting their confidence and developing their learning potential. At IDA Nurseries we understand that parents are the first and most enduring carers and educators of their children.

To assist the partnership the nursery will provide:

  • A parents handbook
  • Parent's evenings
  • Regular social events at the nursery
  • Information sheets and newsletters informing parents of our achievements and forthcoming events
  • A parents notice board & whiteboard

 

Equal opportunities

No child/adult will be excluded on the grounds of race, gender, religion, age, ability or sexual preference. IDA Nurseries reserves the right to refuse admittance to any person not complying with our full written policies.

 

Settling in procedure

Once the nursery of your choice has received your registration form and fee you will automatically be sent a confirmation of place letter. 

Then, approximately one month before your child is due to start you will be contacted by the Nursery Deputy or Manager to arrange a family visit. 

During the family visit you will meet your child's Key Carer and some time will be spent completing the necessary forms and going through nursery policies.   During the family visit the nursery will then arrange a subsequent visit lasting approximately 3 hours. This second visit will enable your child to get used to being left at nursery on their own.

 

Opening times:

The High Wych nursery is open 52 weeks a year but will cose on Bank Holidays, half day on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

We are open from 8.00am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday

We also operate an early risers club from 7.30am - 8am and an early evening club 6.00pm - 6.30pm

 

What is included in the nursery fees?

    • Nappies (non specific brand) and sudo cream up until the age of 2 years
    • Wipes (non specific brand)
    • All meals from our menus
    • Organic milk
    • Aptamil and SMA formula milk up until the age of 1 year
    • Calpol and calgel
    • Non-specific sun cream
    • French classes for Pre-school

 

What sessions do you offer?

  • Full day - 8am to 6pm
  • Morning - 8.15am to 1pm
  • Afternoon - 1.15pm to 5.45pm
  • Early risers - 7.30am to 8am (booking required)
  • Mini break - 9am to 12noon or 1pm to 4pm
  • Evening session - 6.00pm to 6.30pm (booking required)

We also endeavour to be as flexible as possible in catering for families individual requirements. Therefore, if you do require sessions outside of those listed above then, please speak with the individual Nursery Manager.

 

Registering authority

Our nurseries are registered and regulated by OFSTED.

 

Fees

For our full fees listing please speak to the Nursery Manager on 01279 725275.