Playtime Nursery - Our Groups

Our groups

The Baby room

We have 3 staff (one full time and two part time), caring for six babies in our bright baby room.   The room is visually stimulating with lots of  babies’ artwork and photographs on display.

Our three qualified staff build close relationships with the babies and their families.   Getting to know the babies well enables them to plan interesting and stimulating activities and to provide continuity of care whilst they are away from home.

From an early age babies enjoy messy activities from painting, sticking, exploring cornflour goo or just playing with a big bowl of cooked spaghetti!

We always have our book box out and the babies love to sit on a lap and enjoy their picture and story books.

No matter what the weather we love to get outdoors – in the garden, for walks in buggies, and to visit nearby Rectory Park.

The babies like to spend time with the toddlers, and  join them for music sessions with Helen (Honky Tonks music group), at meal times and at the beginning and end of the day.

Staff are always on hand to discuss babies needs and routines with parents and we provide a daily diary sheet with all those little details such as feeds, eats,  nappies and sleeps that parents like to know.

Toddler room

Our toddlers (approximately 18-30 months), occupy two rooms with access to our outdoor space at the rear of the nursery.  Our four qualified staff are here each day.

The children's learning is based around their experiences and interests with the emphasis on having fun.  The day's routine is lead by the toddler's choices and we observe children regularly to help with planning.   We enjoy a variety of activities, messy play, dough, jelly play, sand, water, sticking, painting or playing with shaving foam to name a few.

We love imaginative play including dressing up and caring for our dolls. We like to have fun with our parachute. We love to play in the garden in all weathers, in sunhats or wellies and waterproofs. Sometimes we put the tent up or build a den. Every day brings something new and exciting.

Toddlers sit at the table together for meals and drinks times encouraging their social skills. Most of them have a nap after lunch to recharge.

The 2s and 3s Group

After toddlers the next step is the 2s and 3s group.

They occupy two rooms on the first floor, with adjoining bathroom facilities.  One room for mainly messy play and the other one has an interactive whiteboard, with a book /listening area.  We have computer station between the two rooms.

We have 3 full tia me staff in the group.  Here’s what they have to say:

• 2s and 3s is always a lively group.  We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage and have lots of fun in our play activities.  Our planning is based around the children’s interests.
• We like to explore different materials, e.g. jelly, pasta, foam, paint, glue and dough.  We also enjoy cooking activities.
• We like to get outdoors whenever we can – Rectory park, around the hospital and also our wonderful garden.
• Our routine is adaptable to suit the needs of all children.  The activities on offer in our rooms give children opportunities to develop and explore their existing knowledge and skills in all areas of their development.

Pre-school

Our pre-school area consists of 3 rooms – a role play room, a computer/construction room  with a book and listening area and interactive whiteboard and a messy play room.  We provide a vibrant and stimulating environment with the emphasis on learning through play. 

Our pre-school practitioners have worked in pre-school for 17 years.  As a team they complement each other’s talents well.  They have a fun approach to learning and the children and parents always remember their time here with affection.

We have close links with our parents and get to know each family well.  They are welcomed into nursery at any time.  We encourage them to contribute to our topic work, take home story sacks and babysit our puppet called Jolene who spends her weekends with different families.  She has a scrapbook of her experiences.

We have adult and child led activities enabling the children to become independent learners.  Equal emphasis is given to all six areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  Observations are used to monitor each child’s progress and to plan activities to help every child reach their full potential.

Most of our children go on to local schools and we are happy to support the transition.