babies 3-15months

Room name: Dusky Dolphins

Staff ratio- 1: 3

Our settling in process is for the benefit of both the child and you, the parent. We encourage you to stay with your child for as long as you deem necessary. During this time we learn about your babies daily routine, feeding and sleep patterns, favourite toys/blanket, any allergies he/she may have and specific requirements necessary to ensure a smooth transition into nursery life.

Toddlers: 15months-3Years

Room name Spotted dolphins

Staff ratio- 1:3

If your child has moved from Dusky Dolphins, (babies) then settling in will be made easier. Visits will have been arranged and children made familiar with their new and exciting environment. However, new parents will be invited to stay until they and their child are feeling happy and secure.

Spotted Dolphins offers an interesting and encouraging environment for your child. Activities in this room are structured to enable each child to achieve their individual potential. Although activities are planned choice and spontaneous play are encouraged, this room is relaxed and informal allowing your child to develop at their own pace.

Spotted Dolphins is divided into two areas. One being for creative play, this is where the children can take part in activities such as water play, sand play, art activities and baking etc. The carpet area provides a versatile space for reading, construction activities, role-play and small world toys etc.

The activities and toys available in Spotted Dolphins are aimed to develop the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, cultural, and individual needs of your child.

Dolphins day nursery is well equipped to organise activities to promote equal opportunities.

Staff will, through their knowledge and expertise of children, observe and record your child’s progress, highlighting their achievements and abilities.

Children: 2 years+

Room name: Striped dolphins

Staff ratio- 1:8

Children joining the striped dolphins room will also have a settling in period as in the ways already described.

This room will be organised and arranged into the different areas of play. There will be individual areas for construction, imaginative and creative play. There will be an area for quieter play, reading etc and an area for messy play.

Activities will be planned to encourage purposeful play as the most important tool for learning during these early years.

Children in this room are encouraged to make choices and decisions and to complete suitable challenges, this creating independence and confidence. Staff will encourage, support and praise to influence your child’s self esteem.

Staff will continue to observe and record your child’s progress, highlighting achievements and abilities.

 

 

WRAPAROUND CARE

At Dolphins Day Nursery we work in partnership with Horsforth Westend Primary School, to provide three and four year olds with wraparound care.

Wraparound care is childcare that wraps around a child’s education, combining education and care. Wraparound care is being offered specifically to “surround” the 2.5 hours early education places provided free to parents of three and four year olds, this allowing parents to take part in full time employment and eliminating the need for children, parents/carers to move from one site to another.

Children gaining a place at Westend Primary School’s nursery and also attending Dolphins Day Nursery will be taken to and collected from Westend Primary School by members of our staff.