We believe that mealtimes are a social occasion in which children learn to sit in small groups with an adult and share their food and together.
Our tasty meals are freshly prepared on the premises by our experienced cook to provide a healthy well balanced diet. We operate a 4 week seasonal rotating menu which is displayed on the nursery notice board. Introducing children to a variety of textures and flavours along with foods from different cultures widening their experiences of the world around them whilst enhancing their taste buds! We are happy to cater for specific allergy or dietary requirements that your child may have. For babies purees and formula milk is prepared on site, meals are adapted to suit baby’s individual stages of development, introducing a variety of tastes and textures.
Breakfast is served between 8am – 8.45am and consists of cereal, milk or fruit juice and toast. Lunch is served between 11.30am and 11.45am (depending on the age group) and consists of a hot two-course meal. Light afternoon high tea is served between 3.30pm –4.00pm (depending on the age group) and is either hot or cold.
The children are given water to drink with their meals and fruit is provided every day with one of the two meals. Milk is provided during the morning and afternoon for all children during snack time. Children play a large part in mealtimes. Children are encouraged to set the table for lunch. Children self- serve their own meals and socialise around the table together, manners are a big part of meal times and these are encouraged and role modelled by staff and are important skills required for life.
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We are regularly inspected by environmental health ensuring that we comply with all food hygiene rules and regulations. You can rest assured that a five-star food hygiene certificate backs every meal.
Meals
Outdoor Play
Our outside area is an extension of the nursery providing a stimulating environment, which reflects all seven areas of learning. In addition to sensory zone, sand, water and paints, we offer ride on toys to push and pedal, areas to dig, plant and explore as well as quiet areas to sit and chat or read.
All children have access to the garden each day, whatever the weather we provide waterproof suit for the children to wear when it rains. Children in ‘Great Oaks’ are able to free-flow into the garden throughout the nursery day, whilst babies have their own time to explore each day.
We also explore the local environment with trips to the garden centre, play park, supermarket, library to name but a few.
Great Oaks (2 years to 4 years)
Shortly after your child’s second birthday they make their transition to Great Oaks. We offer support, as each child becomes an independent learner our free-flow system supports children to make choice about what they do. We believe that children learn through play and gain the most value from activities, which relate to their current learning interests. By offering a child centred approach we ensure we offer the children activities, which are engaging, and this therefore provides the best opportunities to learn and develop.
Learning resources are utilised to ensure that all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage are explored. Children are encouraged to learn through developmentally appropriate planned, purposeful play with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Activities are carefully planned to take into account the age, ability and aptitude of each individual child. Our named key person system enables us to ensure a planned curriculum tailored to meet the needs of each individual child. Children are encouraged to progress at their own pace providing firm foundations in preparation for the more formal environment of school.
The nursery comprises three main areas a quiet area, messy area and free play area for small and large group play. Our daily activities and free play cover all aspects of learning.
The children have free access all day to ICT facilities, construction, messy play and make believe to name but a few. All children have access to outdoor play on a daily basis whatever the weather (we provide waterproof suits if raining).
Debutots
Useful links
Useful links
Tapestry is our user friendly way to access your child’s learning and development. Accessed via the tapestry app that can be downloaded to your ipad/iphone/android device. Parents receive a notification when a new observation of their child is ready to view.
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Useful links
Tapestry is our user friendly way to access your child’s learning and development. Accessed via the tapestry app that can be downloaded to your ipad/iphone/android device. Parents receive a notification when a new observation of their child is ready to view.
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Useful links
Tapestry is our user friendly way to access your child’s learning and development. Accessed via the tapestry app that can be downloaded to your ipad/iphone/android device. Parents receive a notification when a new observation of their child is ready to view.
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MEETTHE TEAM
Meet Our Nursery Team
Karen Long, our Nursery Manager, has been with Acorns since we opened. She oversees the nursery’s daily running and is happy to meet with you to discuss your needs and arrange a visit.
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A team of qualified nursery practitioners and nursery assistants care for the children. Our staffing exceeds the minimum required adult to child ratios. We operate a key person system whereby each child and their family is allocated to a specific member of staff. We offer an open door policy and there is always an opportunity to talk to your child’s Key Person or any other member of staff if you would like to do so.The main aim of the team is to ensure that the children entrusted into their care grow and develop socially and academically in a warm caring environment with a curriculum that is designed to meet the development needs of each individual child.
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Qualified and Committed Staff
Our staff hold accredited qualifications such as NVQ II & III, CACHE, NNEB, BTEC and Degrees. We recognise that our most important resource are our staff and therefore we are committed to continually develop our staff with ongoing continued learning and training both externally and in-house. Staff also regularly update and obtain Basic Food Hygiene, Pediatric First Aid, Safeguarding and Fire Awareness.
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Experience and Safety
We have a very low staff turnover with a majority of our senior staff remaining with us for a number of years, this enabling us to provide experienced and consistent care. Staff are carefully selected and vetted for their suitability to work with young children in accordance with OFSTED requirements. Which includes obtaining an Enhanced DBS and satisfactory references. We are committed to recruiting, appointing and employing staff in accordance with all relevant legislation and best practise.