Management team: Owners Mother and Daughter Marjorie and Margot with Nursery Managers Kelly and Allison
At First Nursery we want to celebrate childhood by putting children and children’s needs at the heart of everything that we do. We offer a happy, home like environment where children can socialise and explore the world together with other children, both indoors and outdoors, taking a Froebelian approach to play and learning. “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” Frederick Froebel (1782-1852)
Our aim is to provide the children with a stimulating and exciting environment which encourages them to use their inquisitive and creative minds. Play is fundamental to our children’s development and their environment must offer the freedom to choose from a wide range of learning opportunities. Our role is to extend and encourage the children in such a way that they grow up to be confident, happy and excited by the world and all its’ opportunities. We follow the principles which underpin Realising the Ambition and Curriculum for Excellence documents and recognise that first hand experiences are an important part of children’s learning and development. Our youngest ones are taken on walks in and around the local community, and our older children make weekly visits to the woods and countryside round about, where they can play, explore, solve problems and learn new skills.
We are registered with the Care Inspectorate to provide year round care for all ages and stages from 3 months to 12 years. We offer flexible Early Learning and Childcare government funded places which include weekly Forest School sessions. In addition we also operate Out of School Care services for primary school age children. We strongly believe that children flourish in a nurturing environment where they have plenty of opportunity to settle in gradually getting to know the staff really well. We ensure that:
- Activities and routines are planned around the needs of individual children
- Children can explore nature and the outdoors on a daily basis
- Children are given the time and freedom to play and investigate ideas without unnecessary constraints and restrictions
- The meals and snacks provided for the children are home cooked by our chef using local suppliers wherever possible.
- Children learn the importance of good food and a healthy diet through taking part in cooking activities and growing their own food in the Nursery garden.
We expect all of our staff team of Nursery Practitioners to be well qualified and to maintain their professional knowledge through regular course attendance, etc. Our staff members bring a wide variety of experience, training and specialities including Froebel in Early Childhood Education and Forest School Association. Our aim is to use their expertise to ensure the best outcomes for the children in their care.