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Toddler Room
[Keyperson]
[WOW Moments] [Learning
Journey]
[Observations and Schemas]
[Diaries]
[Meals and snacks]
[Sleep]
[Clothing]
[Additional needs]
[Moving to
Acorns]
[Admissions policy]
[Joining Us]
Pippins is our Toddler section. We have a large playroom, a wet
play/craft room, as well as a dining room/table top activity room a cosy room
for quiet times or rest times and a cot room. Children have access to their own
outdoor area allowing outdoor access through out the day.
Our main playroom has it's own built in home corner area, which has
been transformed into a variety of experiences including a library and Santa's
grotto.
Outside, we have 2 grassed play areas with graduated swings
and climbing equipment, a tarmac area and an astro
area.
Childrens learning and development is supported through the Early Years
Foundation Stage curriculum and more details can be found in the Curriculum
section of this web site.
To arrange a
viewing of the nursery please contact Sarah or Nick on 01473 652249. If you
would like to join us here at Birch Farm you will need to complete a Pippins
registration pack.
Please return your signed
registration pack to Sarah Sharman or Nick Leeder. Places are subject to availability and
will be confirmed in writing.
We have a keyperson system in place
so you and your child will have a named member of staff with which to liaise.
The children are encouraged to participate in as many of the activities on offer
as possible to achieve a well-balanced curriculum. Progress is monitored and
recorded to assess that the children are achieving in all areas.
A Learning journey is a written record of individual progress for each child.
Learning journeys contain all observations made by staff, photographs of your
child's nursery experiences and an ar ea where parents comments and observations
can be added. In addition to these basic ongoing pages the file also contains 6
weekly progress reports, termly reports written jointly by parents and staff and
a record sheet that is completed when a child moves to a new section of the
nursery or leaves Birch Farm. This will enable your child's new facility to
continue with your child's present interests and see their present stage of
development. Your childs Learning Journey
is always available for parents to view at our parents evenings or other times
by request.
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A special WOW moments box has been placed on the notice board for parents
to add their comments and key development moments from home to their child's
learning journey profile. Parents written comments an also be added to the termly reports that are written for parents evenings.
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A member of
staff will be allocated to your family as a keyperson. This person will help
your child to settle and develop a bond to ensure your child has a safe,
friendly , secure person with whom they can spend time if they require. Your keyperson will also change nappies and feed wherever possible and undertake
regular observations. They use these observations to plan for your child on a
weekly basis this ensures that when your child attends nursery the activities
are interesting and stimulating to their stage of development. Your family’s keyperson will be happy to discuss your child’s development with you and will be
the main person completing your child’s daily diary.
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Staff observe
children to enable us to plan and support children to develop. These
observations are also used to create a learning journey of your child’s life in
nursery. We organise regular parents evening during this time you can chat to
your keyperson and see your child’s file. If you are unable to make a parents
evening or would like to see the file at another time. Please make an
appointment to ensure we maintain staff ratios. We also observe children to help
identify their present schemas. Schemas are patterns of learning that children
explore. Often children will have 1 dominate schema throughout their lives.
Schemas are children’s area of interest and by planning for a child’s schema we
will ensure they are interested and highly motivated in activities and therefore
developing their knowledge. If you would like to know more about schemas
[click here].
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The diary
will be used by your child’s keyperson to record your child’s day at nursery.
The diary will be handed to you at the end of every day for you to take home.
You are welcome to add comments about your child’s home experiences and this
will help staff to create positive links with home. This diary is not intended
to replace your daily contact with staff but to enhance you and your child’s
experiences at Birch Farm.
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MEAL/SNACK ROUTINE:
 Children who arrive by 8.15am can
have a breakfast from our breakfast bar, there is a snack mid morning and mid
afternoon, lunch at 12.05pm and tea at 4pm. We are happy to work with you for
any special dietary requirements your child may have but please inform us in
writing on the registration form. Written evidence is made each day of
children's food intake this is available for parents daily and staff will
discuss this with you at the end of the day.
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SLEEP:
We have a Sleep Room with
cots or sleep mats can be offered in the cosy room if preferred. Children may have a sleep when necessary and are
checked regularly, as well as a baby monitor system in operation. Children may
continue their sleep through lunch time and will be fed on awakening.
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CLOTHING:
We do not have a uniform, but
nursery sweatshirts can be ordered if you require and a sample is available in
the office. We
recommend that children are dressed in practical clothes for a busy day in a nursery Different layers so that the children can accommodate different
activities and finally clothes that can take the wear and tear of playing
outside, painting, craft activities etc. – ALL NAMED PLEASE.
Simple name tags will soon be
recognised by their owners and will also help us to ‘re-home’ lost items!
Overalls are provided but accidents do happen and a change of clothes in a named
bag is useful. A warm/waterproof coat and wellingtons are needed for
outdoor activities in winter and sun hat and sun cream in the summer.
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ADDITIONAL
NEEDS:
Our nursery SENCO works with support from Suffolk
County Council to assist any children who have
additional needs. she has received specific training in this role and supports
all staff, children and parents as required. Children with additional needs are met with
understanding and support and encouraged to join in with all activities at a
level appropriate to them. Should staff have a concern over a child's
developmental progress in consultation with parents,
outside professional advice is sought in accordance with the DfES Code of
Practice 2001 on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs.
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MOVING TO ACORNS:
To
ensure that children are ready to start in Acorns they will attend taster sessions with their
Keyperson to help them
settle with ease into their new environment and ensure that they are ready for
the transition. As the children progress in Pippins they will be encouraged to
lengthen their concentration time, improve their fine motor skills, such as
pencil/ scissor control, and increase their knowledge of numeracy, literacy,
shape and colour through fun play based activities. No child will be moved
without consultation with parents/carers. We are able to offer flexibility and
move children when they are ready between 27and 32 months this helps to support
their emotional well being.
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ADMISSION
POLICY:
Children can
start Pippins from 18months. No
child will be refused admission in accordance with our ‘Equal Opportunities
Policy’. We have written policies for ‘Behaviour’, ‘Health & Safety’, ‘Child
Protection’ and ‘Equal Opportunities’ – all of which are available
[Click Here]. Should Pippins be full, Birch Farm will operate a waiting list.
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JOINING US:
To arrange a
viewing of the nursery please contact Sarah or Nick on 01473 652249. If you
would like to join us here at Birch Farm you will need to complete a Pippins
registration pack.
Please return your signed
registration pack to Sarah Sharman or Nick Leeder. Places are subject to availability and
will be confirmed in writing.
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the Top]
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