Our Childcare Service

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and sets the children up for a busy day of learning at pre-school or school. We offer a healthy breakfast and fun and games to get those brain cells ready for the day ahead. 

Transport to local schools via private transport can be arranged.

We offer an all-day term time nursery for children over two years old. You can choose the hours within the day that best suit your child's needs. 

Because we are Ofsted registered, you can claim back some of your childcare costs if you receive tax credits. 

We also provide 15 hours of KCC Education Funded hours to every 3-4 year old (or 30 hours for eligible 3-4 year olds) and Free for Twos funding for eligible 2-year olds.  For further information, visit here. 

After a busy day at pre-school or school, we help children unwind by playing outside in our spacious, secure gardens or playing inside with fun, games and craft activities. 

We offer a healthy two-course cooked meal by prior-arrangement. 

Transport from local schools via private transport can be arranged. 

For all children aged 2-11 years old, we offer a holiday club during school holidays.

If your child is starting school in September please visit the following link for information and ways in which you can support your child with this transition at home. 

https://startingreception.co.uk/

Useful link for families, if you would like any guidance do not hesitate to speak to one of our practitioners as we will always be happy to help.

Growing independence 

• Check out Parentkind’s online advice hub and magazine for parents ‘Be School Ready’
• Enjoy Family Corner’s 5 tips to help your child get ready for Reception
• Guidance for parents and practitioners - PACEY
• Download the free EasyPeasy mobile app for tips and activities to support everyday parenting moments

Taking care of themselves 

• How can you make separating easier? - Family Corner
• Getting dressed and ready for the day - backward chaining information sheet - NHS
• Getting ready for the Day - BBC

Toilet training

• The Institute of Health Visiting has advice and tips on toilet training
• Simple and supportive toilet training advice - ERIC
• Potty training and bedwetting - NHS
• Pants4School - Down Syndrome UK

Playing, creativity and curiosity 

• 5 steps for brain building through serve and return - Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
• How to follow a child’s interest in play - National Literacy Trust
• How to role play with your child - Pretend role play - BBC
• How to role play with your child - Playing pretend animals - BBC
• Fire up their imagination with drawing - BBC
• What is mark-making and why is it important for learning? - PACEY
• Sharing story books on World Book Day - BBC
• Nature activities for children - BBC
• Learning and having fun on the bus - BBC
• Play a game of 'What's that sound?' - BBC

• The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us Framework outlines how these skills develop in early childhood
• Top tips for enjoying stories together and book recommendations for starting school - BookTrust

Being with others

• Learn how to support your child to make friends - Family Corner
• Understand your child's social development - Words for Life
• Practice sharing with toys - BBC

Communication and language

• You are your child’s first teacher – help them learn how to write their name - Words for Life
• Explore a range of approaches to language learning and development from NHS Start for Life
• Build your child’s imagination and language by making up stories together - BBC

Listening and engaging

• Follow the walk and talk trail with the National Literacy Trust
• Practice language and listening skills at home with these games - Playing with a cardboard telescope - BBC
• Practice language and listening skills at home with these games - Red Light, Green Light - BBC

• Getting moving for 3 hours a day - NHS
• What is core strength and why is it important for children? - Department for Education
• Fun games to get them moving - BBC

Understand what 'healthy' levels of screen time are, by age

• World Health Organization guidance
• Health Professionals for Safer Screens poster

Get insights on internet safety, how screen use impacts young children and recommended screen time

• Help for early years providers: Internet safety

And for those with younger children, the NCT covers advice for babies and toddlers too:

• Screen time for babies and toddlers - NCT

Help children build a strong relationship with food and make the right choices from the start

• Nutrition guidance - Department for Education
• Healthier families - NHS
• Five tips for helping your kids to eat healthily all year round - BBC
• Eating Well - First Steps Nutrition Trust
• Factsheet for healthy children's diets - Association of UK Dieticians

Brushing teeth

• Toothbrushing SOS with the singing dentist

Sleep guidance

• Sleep and young children - NHS
• Struggling to get children to sleep: How to establish a bedtime routine - BBC