Sapphire Room
Age: Birth to 18 months
Babies benefit from a large, bright open plan day room, well equipped with activities and toys suitable for their age. They have a messy play area where they are encouraged to develop and grow through the use of creative activities. They benefit from a sensory area which encourages the child’s senses through a soothing and stimulating environment. Music is played throughout the day coupled with the baby mobiles which hang from the cots, creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere. The babies also have a separate changing room and milk kitchen.
Staff
Our staff are highly qualified and are specifically trained in caring for babies. We benefit from a qualified teacher and a Level 4 Early Years Practitioner / Room Leader (with years of experience working with babies and staff being mothers themselves!). All staff have Paediatric First Aid and by using the Early Years Developmental Stages, we work with you to ensure your baby achieves their full potential.
The nursery benefits from our very own nurse (with over 40 years experience) and an English Teacher (with over 45 years experience) who specializes in developing speech, language and communication.
Feeding
All feeding matters will be discussed with parents at the first settling
session. We are unable to accept bottles already made up at home so we ask
parents to provide clearly labelled bottles and powdered milk. The staff will
make up bottles when required on a daily basis in our milk kitchen. Empty
bottles will be kept in individual labelled baskets in our milk kitchen. We are
happy for breast milk to be provided in a bottle but this must have been
expressed on the day the baby is attending the nursery and will be kept in our
milk fridge. All bottles, dummies and feeding equipment are sterilised.
Weaning
Weaning is started following full discussion and advice from parents. Pureed
fresh food is provided and is cooked
fresh daily by our chef. All of our produce is mostly purchased from Tesco's
Organic Range. As weaning progresses new foods will be introduced to the babies
diet after consultation with parents. All dietary requirements will be adhered
to and new consistencies will be introduced. All babies will be fed on demand
and where by the same practitioners until they are ready to join in with the
routine of the group.
Sleep
We encourage young babies to sleep on their backs, foot to feet in cots.
Sleeping babies are regularly checked and their sleep times recorded. Each
baby/child will have separate bed linen which will be washed frequently. The
room temperature is maintained at a comfortable level and recorded.
Nappy changing
All babies will be changed every one – three hours and when needed. A strict nappy changing procedure is followed by all staff. All nappy changing times are recorded. Nappies, cream, wipes etc need to be provided by parents and a good stock kept at the Nursery. Parents will be informed when their supply is getting low.
Their day at Monarchs
The staff plan around the new Early Years Foundation Stage framework
allowing the babies to have the opportunity to experience a variety of
different sensory experiences including musical instruments, sand, water and
other malleable play, various art activities, outdoor play and story time
sessions. A role play area, books and a selection of toys are accessible to the
babies at all times and they are cleaned and recorded after each use to prevent
cross infection.
Transfer to next group
The babies move into the toddler group (Amethyst Room) when they are 18 months
and will start to settle the month before they move up. Parents are informed of
their settling sessions and new key worker. Parents are welcome to be involved
in any of these sessions and have lots of opportunities to speak to their new
key worker. Staff will fill in a transition form for the next group informing
them of all their likes, dislikes, sleeping habits etc.
A typical day
7-8.30am Breakfast time
8.30-10am Continuous provision and planned activities including indoor and outdoor experiences
10-10.30am Drinks and snacks
10.30-11.50 am Continuous provision and planned activities including indoor and outdoor experiences
11.50-12.30pm Lunchtime
12.30-2pm Continuous provision and planned activities including indoor and outdoor experiences
2-2.30pm Drinks and snacks
2.30-4pm Continuous provision and planned activities including indoor and outdoor experiences
4-4.30pm Afternoon tea
4.30-7pm Continuous provision and planned activities including indoor and outdoor experiences
Settling ins
We encourage you and your child to visit two or three times prior to starting. These sessions need to be pre-booked with the Childcare Manager or the Room Leader. There is no charge for these sessions. Settling sessions are normally 2 hours and can be booked at times at your convenience.
On the first visit we suggest you stay with your child for one to two hours depending on the child's age and previous nursery experience. This gives you a chance to spend time with your child's key worker to discuss issues such as weaning, sleep patterns and dietary requirements.
We do offer a second visit and we suggest on this occasion, you stay with your child until they are happy for you to leave. We may suggest that you leave the Nursery and go off into town for an hour or so. We always encourage parents to say "goodbye" to their child.
If after these two visits your child is still not settled, then we will suggest another settling in session. This will depend on the child. Some settle very quickly and others take longer. If your child becomes unsettled when you leave them at any time over the first few weeks of starting Nursery, please feel free to ring and ask how they are.
Sessions
Full day: between 7am - 7pm
Half day: any 6 hours during 7am - 7pm.
Hourly rates available (see price list)