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Pennypot Day Nursery team raise over £1,500 with charity mountain climb

A team of devoted colleagues from Pennypot Day Nursery in Chobham have completed a climb up Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, all to raise funds for charity ‘Bliss’.

Situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Nursery Manager, Carol McDonough and colleagues Aprille Goubert, Leoni Brown, Jay Gallimore, Emma Rawlings, Emma Neumann, Poppy Doran, Lucy Buckingham, Jade Campbell and Kira Kenny were delighted to finish the climb in a time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, raising a grand total of £1,525.00, with donations still incoming from generous supporters which will now help babies born premature or sick.

The climb up Pen y Fan, which sits at 886 metres above sea-level, is the latest in a series of fundraising initiatives for the team on Pennypot Lane, whose colleagues have recently spent the night ‘sleeping rough’ under the stars as part of the Childbase Partnership ‘Big Sleep Out’ as well as a charity auction, pumpkin carving and bake sales for the cause.

Pennypot Day Nursery Manager, Carol McDonough explained;

“Raising money for charity has always been hugely important to us as a team and we are thrilled to have completed this challenge for Bliss. It was freezing cold and very windy, and once we got to the top the rain started pouring, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We are so grateful to all of our incredible nursery families and friends for their generosity and support.”

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Knowle Green Day Nursery children enjoy inspiring construction visits

There were exciting learning opportunities at every turn for children at Knowle Green Day Nursery in Staines as they welcomed building developers from Willmott Dixon to the setting.

Having been captivated by ongoing construction works at the new Spelthorne Leisure Centre next door, pre-schoolers from the award-winning setting on Knowle Green were delighted to receive a visit from the team, who spoke to the children about the equipment used in more detail, as well as why it is so important to wear protective clothing such as hard hats on site.

To further the experience, children and practitioners were able to visit the site, where they watched the diggers in action and intently observed as the holes were made in the ground.

This inspired activities back at nursery, including creating structures using Lego and other building materials, as well as role playing as construction workers using dress up clothing.

Knowle Green Day Nursery Quality Manager, Hayley Blissett explained;

“We love to follow the children’s interests in nursery and want to send our heartfelt thanks to Willmott Dixon for enhancing this rich experience for the children. Our own construction area is hugely popular with both the boys and girls and is great for capturing their imaginations, as well as helping to develop maths skills, teamworking, problem solving and communication.”

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Celebrating Black History Month at Knowle Green Day Nursery

Children and colleagues from Knowle Green Day Nursery in Staines have been celebrating Black History Month with a series of inspiring activities throughout October.

As part of the ongoing learning experiences, children from the award-winning setting on Knowle Green were delighted to welcome a pre-school parent, who spoke to the group about her family’s culture and heritage as part of the Ashanti Tribe, originating from Ghana.

During the session, children were captivated to learn that family members included a King and a cocoa farmer, who was the first person to sell his produce to Cadbury’s chocolate.

From learning the Ghanaian Adowa dance to looking at traditional clothing and ways of life, pre-schoolers were able to immerse themselves in all the opportunities on offer with the help of their special guest, as well as talking about why it’s so important to embrace differences.

Knowle Green Day Nursery Quality Manager, Hayley Blissett explained;

“The pre-schoolers had a fantastic time learning more about Black History Month and we are so grateful to our incredible nursery families for taking the time out of their busy schedules to help create these rich learning experiences for the children. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where cultural diversity is visibly celebrated, and children leave us as happy, confident learners with a strong and positive sense of identity.”

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Field House Day Nursery children create pumpkin patch

Festivities were well underway at Field House Day Nursery in Buckingham as children prepared for Halloween by picking produce from their very own pumpkin patch outside.

At the award-winning setting on Tingewick Road, pre-schoolers were delighted to successfully grow a crop of pumpkins in their extensive allotment area, which are now being used for a range of Halloween themed activities, including carving and sensory play.

As part of the learning experience, children have also been using the pumpkins to create a selection of delicious recipes, including pumpkin soup and pie with the help of talented Nursery Chefs, whilst learning skills such as following instructions and basic kitchen safety.

As well as growing their own vegetables and herbs, Field House children take part in a curriculum of sustainable activities the whole year round, including crafting with natural materials and creating habitats for wildlife, leading them to earn a prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award from Eco-Schools for their continued environmental awareness initiatives.

Field House Day Nursery Quality Manager, Kirsty Freshwater explained;

“Creating our own pumpkin patch has been such a rewarding process for the children and they have loved using them in activities. As well as being able to showcase their creativity in so many special ways, the cooking experiences have given our pre-schoolers a better insight into where food come from and the importance of good nutrition to healthy lifestyles.”

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Westwood Day Nursery families celebrate Diwali

Festivities were well underway at Westwood Day Nursery in Coventry as families and practitioners joined millions across the world in celebrating the festival of Diwali.

At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day on Westwood Way, parents were invited to join their children for a Diwali inspired party, where the group immersed themselves in all the occasion had to offer, from showcasing creativity by making colourful rangoli patterns with sand, to having their very own mehndi designs painted on hands by expert practitioners.

As part of the celebrations, families were delighted to stay for a traditional lunch consisting of dishes including a homemade vegetable tikka served with naan breads, whilst discussing the customs and traditions of the Festival of Light and the significance of the event to so many.

Westwood Day Nursery Manager, Carly Ward explained;

“We had a fantastic time celebrating Diwali and it was lovely to be joined by our nursery families, many of whom celebrate the occasion themselves. Whilst our study of different religions, traditions and customs takes place all-year round, the children really enjoy marking special events like Diwali. The input of our practitioners and families also helps to enrich learning experiences and promote a wider understanding of the world around us.”

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Seasonal celebrations at Lime Grove Day Nursery

Children and colleagues from Lime Grove Day Nursery in Hemel Hempstead have been embracing all things autumn with a series of seasonal activities and celebrations.

From babies exploring the textures and sizes of different pumpkins in their very own pumpkin patch area, to older children collecting leaves and other natural resources in the garden outside to create autumnal wreaths, there were learning opportunities at every turn for the group at the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ setting on Park Road.

Pre-schoolers were delighted to practice their mark making skills with leaf rubbing activities, admiring the different patterns left behind, as well as developing fine motor and mathematical skills by scooping the seeds from the pumpkin and using them to count with.

As part of the festivities, parents and colleagues pulled out all the stops with a ‘National Baking Week’ inspired cake sale, where they used their talents to make brownies, cookies, cupcakes and more. As a result of their combined efforts, they raised a grand total of £247.25 for charity ‘Bliss’, which will now go towards helping babies born premature or sick.

Lime Grove Day Nursery Deputy Manager, Yasmin Diver explained;

“Autumn has presented so many lovely opportunities for the children to showcase their creativity and we have really enjoyed observing the changes in our environment. Baking Week was also a brilliant success and inspired lots of cooking activities within nursery, we are thrilled to now be making this donation to such a worthy cause.”

Lime Grove Day Nursery have adopted Bliss for a year-long fundraising drive.

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Diwali celebrations at Julia Durbin Day Nursery

Festivities were well underway at Julia Durbin Day Nursery in Headington as children and practitioners joined millions across the world in celebrating the festival of Diwali.

With the expert insight of Nursery Practitioner, Kiara Sidhu, who celebrates the occasion herself, pre-schoolers from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Roosevelt Drive were delighted to explore the traditional customs of the Festival of Light and learn more about the important message of good triumphing over evil and light over darkness.

To further understanding, children showcased their creativity by making their very own rangoli patterns using coloured sand, as well as exploring Diya candle holders, dancing to traditional music, reading themed books and decorating their classroom for the occasion.

Julia Durbin Day Nursery Deputy Manager, Aimee Corcoran explained;

“Our study of different religions, traditions and customs is a year-round focus in nursery but we all, particularly the children, really enjoy celebrating important events like Diwali. It’s always wonderful to have the personal input of our practitioners to help enrich the learning experiences of our children and promote a wider understanding of the world and diversity within our community.”

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Childbase Partnership colleagues celebrate National Nursery Practitioner Day

Festivities were well underway at Childbase Partnership settings across the country as devoted colleagues marked the fifth annual ‘National Nursery Practitioner Day’.

Putting the spotlight on talented childcare teams, the occasion highlighted the dedication of Early Years professionals and their commitment to providing the children in their care with the best possible start in life, which was reflected within the 43 employee-owned nurseries.

From display boards filled with kind comments and reviews from parents, to presents of personalised goody bags containing pamper gifts, sweet treats and handwritten notes of thanks, appreciation was shown in a variety of ways by grateful managers and families alike.

Bespoke cakes, takeaway pizzas, buffet lunches, fruit platters, pick ‘n’ mix stations, team games and tombolas with prizes including cash boosters were just some of the treats on offer as staff celebrated their successes over the past year, which have included all 43 settings receiving the prestigious ‘Green Flag’ award from Eco-Schools and a maintained company average score of 9.8 on DayNurseries, the leading Early Years review website.

Despite the rising cost of living and financial challenges for all, determined colleagues across each Childbase Partnership setting have also spent the past year fundraising for Bliss, the charity for babies born premature or sick, with the generous support of nursery families. As a result of their efforts, which have included a company-wide sleep out under the stars, the Virtual London Marathon, Snowdon climbs, sponsored silences and more, they have so far amassed over £120,000 for the worthy cause, with two months of fundraising yet to go.

Emmy Avery, Manager of the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Devonshire Day Nursery in Chiswick explained;

“Our Childbase Partnership colleagues are all superheroes. They consistently go above and beyond to give our nursery children the highest possible standards of care and the richest learning experiences, whilst also taking time out of their work to raise money for families who need it most. We celebrate them every day, but it is lovely to be united across the Early Years sector today as we recognise all the incredible childcare professionals.”

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Celebrating Black History Month at Devonshire Day Nursery

Children and colleagues from Devonshire Day Nursery in Chiswick have been celebrating Black History Month with a series of inspiring activities throughout October.

At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Bennett Street, talented practitioners created a themed display within the reception area, filled with a wealth of information covering topics ranging from traditional hairstyles to black inventors, as well as staff profiles with more information on each other’s heritage and cultural items brought in from home.

Over the weeks, children have enjoyed dress up days, showcasing traditional clothing and the colours associated, as well as trying a range of classic dishes native to Africa, which were lovingly prepared by colleagues at home and shared within nursery for all to taste.

Together, the children have learnt about pioneering black figures including Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks and the important role they play in history, including what they stood for and why it’s so important to embrace our own similarities and differences.

Devonshire Day Nursery Practitioner, Mary Mensah-Bonsu, who planned many of the festivities and is also part of Childbase Partnership’s ‘Diversity Forum’ explained;

“We have had a brilliant time marking Black History Month and this has provided so many rich learning opportunities for both our children and colleagues. Childbase Partnership is a great place to work as our individuality is encouraged and celebrated. This occasion is important to so many of us, and we have loved learning about different cultures.”

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Knowle Green Day Nursery colleagues mark World Mental Health Day

The spotlight was on wellbeing at Knowle Green Day Nursery in Staines as colleagues marked World Mental Health Day with a series of celebrations at the setting.

At the award-winning setting on Knowle Green, the devoted staff team were each surprised with bespoke gift bags, filled with presents including personalised mugs with their names, pamper items including face masks, sweet treats and positive affirmations to inspire, whilst Deputy Manager, Chelsea Basley held an individual ‘chat and chomp session’ where colleagues could drop in and talk about anything they desired, no matter how big or small.

Knowle Green Day Nursery Deputy Manager, Chelsea Basley explained;

“World Mental Health Day provided a brilliant opportunity to remind ourselves of the small steps we can take to improve the wellbeing of ourselves and those around us. We always strive to show our colleagues how much they mean to us and how much we appreciate the incredible work they do, as well as open up the dialogue on this important topic.”

Other recent wellbeing initiatives have included a ‘Wonderland’ themed festival and awards ceremony for all Childbase Partnership colleagues, with entertainment provided Basement Jaxx, Scouting for Girls, Tinchy Stryder and Fatman Scoop, free family tickets to the UK’s top theme parks and attractions, as well as two salary increases within 12 months.

Month: October 2022

News

Pennypot Day Nursery team raise over £1,500 with charity mountain climb

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Knowle Green Day Nursery children enjoy inspiring construction visits

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Celebrating Black History Month at Knowle Green Day Nursery

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Field House Day Nursery children create pumpkin patch

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Westwood Day Nursery families celebrate Diwali

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Seasonal celebrations at Lime Grove Day Nursery

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Diwali celebrations at Julia Durbin Day Nursery

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Childbase Partnership colleagues celebrate National Nursery Practitioner Day

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Celebrating Black History Month at Devonshire Day Nursery

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Knowle Green Day Nursery colleagues mark World Mental Health Day

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Cedars Day Nursery - Leighton Buzzard