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Sacrewell Farm trip

May 2012

Ladybirds and Kingfisher children are off to Sacrewell farm on thursday 28th june, please check your child's pegs and trays for more information about this...Read More...

Careers & Vacancies

Alpha Relief staff positions are available from time to time....Are you fun, energetic and passionate about children? Alpha Kindergarten School and Big Sky Adventure Play may be the perfect direction for you! Discover how great it is to work at our...Find Out More

Fletton: Our Rooms

Our welcoming, friendly and spacious Fletton setting provides the ideal environment for our children throughout the day - stimulating environments which provide opportunities for children to relax in a quiet areas, learn and engage in play. Our babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are split into five age groups based in separate rooms, progressing to the next group when they are developmentally ready. Each child and their family is supported by a key person, working in partnership to follow their child's development and set developmental "Next Steps" to help in their progress.

To ensure the continuity of care is provided, their key person works towards building a partnership with parents to keep informed of their child's needs and support any changes in family and home life. In nursery we provide for stability for children by ensuring the continuity of staff in rooms, providing friendly and familiar faces for children and parents throughout the day.

The nursery is split into five age groups:

  • The Caterpillars: 0-12 months
  • The Butterflies: 12-24 months
  • The Bumblebees: 24-36 months
  • The Ladybirds: 36-48 months
  • The Kingfishers: 48+ months
The age ranges in rooms may vary due to the individual developmental needs of children.

THE CATERPILLARS
In the Caterpillars, we focus on providing a continuity between home and nursery - ensuring that routines such as feeding and sleeping are continued to help the transition from home to nursery. We ensure a strict staff to baby ratio of 1:3 to provide the best possible care. Our sleeping area provides a calm and relaxing place for babies to rest, with soothing music and cots provided. The room includes its own self-contained changing area and kitchen for easy access to bottles and warm food, divided with separate sinks for each area.

THE BUTTERFLIES
Providing a transition between the younger babies and the toddlers, the Butterflies gives more independence to our babies while continuing to provide our 1:3 care ratio and continuity between home and nursery. At this stage, our older babies begin to sit at the table by themselves, making choices about snacks and developing their likes and dislikes. When sleeping, the Butterflies transition from using cots onto mats.

THE BUMBLEBEES
Toddlers begin to develop their independence and sense of belonging in the Bumblebees, with a greater degree of choice in snacks and activities, with a wide range of messy and creative activities available. Children self-register at the start of the day and enjoy free-flow play, deciding when they would like to take part in certain activities and when to go outside in the morning and afternoon, being cared for at a ratio of 1:4. Potty training begins at this age in close partnership with parents, who choose whether their child uses potties or small toilets. Mats are available for sleeping in our sensory room which provides a relaxing environment for sleeping children and allows awake children to continue with their active play. We treat mealtimes and snacktimes as a social occasion, sitting together at tables and interacting with staff and their peers.

THE LADYBIRDS
Working at an above average staff to child ratio of 1:7, the Ladybirds supports the transition between the toddlers and pre-school. As independence grows and social interaction increases, the children are supported by staff as they are encouraged to show a sense of pride in their achievement and begin to positively resolve their differences with others. The Ladybirds room is designed to support them as they begin to act independently - putting on their own coats and choosing snacks.

THE KINGFISHERS
At this age, the group is made up of children in the same school year group, so that the children go on to schools together as a whole group. The bright and cheerful Kingfisher room helps children to develop their skills, preparing them for school through a variety of stimulating activities and opportunities - with access to computers, messy play, books and mark-making. The Kingfishers visit the farm and take regular trips to the library and park. The children have their own trays for their belongings to encourage them to take responsibility for their possessions. 

BATHROOMS
We promote personal hygiene throughout the nursery, with hands always being washed before meal and snack times and children learning the importance of hand washing. Children are helped and encouraged during potty training when their parents decide they are ready, with close supervision from staff. Younger children are assisted in using the toilet by staff whilst older children are encouraged to act independently whilst being supervised in the bathroom, with child-sized toilets and hand basins available.

SENSORY ROOM
Our sensory room is used by all our children to stimulate all five senses through the use of visual and audio equipment and treasure baskets. Used every Friday by Debutots, the babies, toddlers and pre-school take part in drama activities, helping to promote development and giving them new experiences. The room is used for sleeping for the Bumblebees, Ladybirds and Kingfishers - providing a relaxing and peaceful place to relax.