News

Devonshire Day Nursery children welcome local dentist

Devonshire dentist

There were learning opportunities at every turn for children at Devonshire Day Nursery in Chiswick as they welcomed a local dentist to the setting to help mark National Smile Month.

At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Bennett Street, pre-schoolers listened intently as the dentist from Ravenscourt Park Dental Practice spoke about the foods which were good for teeth, as well as ones we should have less of, before leading a food sorting activity and encouraging children to practice their brushing technique using the giant teeth.

As part of the activity, the expert guest answered questions and gave top tips for maintaining good oral hygiene, whilst children were delighted to take home their very own tooth brushing kit at the end of the day, complete with toothpaste, toothbrush, timer and resources.

Devonshire Day Nursery Manager, Emmy Avery explained;

“National Smile Month has presented lots of rich learning opportunities and we are so grateful to the dentist for taking the time to come and visit us. Nearly a quarter of 5-year-olds in England have tooth decay so it’s really important to encourage these practices from an early age. We aim to make these experiences fun and memorable for the children to ensure they have a lasting impact and help them to make healthy choices for the future.”

National Smile Month takes place from 16th May to 16th June 2023.

Accreditations

News

River View Day Nursery children enjoy London science adventure

River View London Science Museum

There were exciting learning opportunities at every turn for children from River View Day Nursery in Hertford as they embarked on a trip to London to visit the Science Museum.

Setting off on foot to their local station, pre-schoolers from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on North Road were delighted to admire the sights out of the window of the train, before taking the underground from Finsbury Park to South Kensington, using tube maps and their critical thinking skills to figure out how to reach their end destination.

After arriving at the Science Museum, children began by exploring the space themed exhibits, admiring the giant colour-changing planet and replica rocket that took both Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to space, before showcasing the knowledge they had learnt at nursery by naming as many planets as they could, following an interest in the topic.

Pre-schoolers were then immersed in the museum’s very own ‘Pattern Pod’, a multi-sensory area where they could learn through play to develop their science skills, exploring water ripples on the floor, creating symmetrical images on touch screens, making shadow patterns and turning cogs and wheels, all whilst making predictions on what might happen next.

Following a picnic lunch, the group wrapped up their visit with a trip to the inside garden, exploring construction, light and sound whilst observing, testing and drawing conclusions.

River View Day Nursery Manager, Natasha Boon explained;

“The pre-schoolers were absolutely captivated during their visit to the Science Museum and were so well behaved. Both children and colleagues had an incredible day and the group couldn’t wait to tell their families about their big adventure and all the exciting things we saw. This has inspired so many rich learning experiences back in nursery and we hope the visit will help foster a passion for STEM subjects which we can continue to nurture.”  

Accreditations

News

Pirate Day fun at Lavenders Day Nursery

Lavenders Pirate Day

There were swashbuckling celebrations at Lavenders Day Nursery in Bedford as children took part in a range of themed activities to mark a special Pirate Day at the setting.

Following a focus on maps, children from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Bushmead Avenue were interested to learn more about pirates, inspiring the festivities which included a special garden treasure hunt, gem and coin sorting and pirate yoga whilst dressed in costume complete with bandanas, eyepatches and even parrots.

As part of the experience, children showcased their creativity by making pirate hats and ship building, before showcasing their best pirate phrases, from ‘ahoy’ to ‘shiver me timbers!’ over a pirate party feast and taking home the piece of gold they found earlier in the day.

Lavenders Day Nursery Manager, Dizzie Newberry explained;

“We love to follow the children’s interests in nursery, and this was such a fun and interactive way to develop their learning on the topic. This also provided a brilliant opportunity to encourage speech, language and creativity and increase confidence and self-esteem.”

 

Accreditations

News

Cooking up a storm at Knowle Green Day Nursery

Knowle Green cooking session

There were learning opportunities at every turn for children at Knowle Green Day Nursery in Staines as they took part in exciting cooking sessions with their talented Nursery Chef.

After putting on their hair nets and aprons, children from the award-winning setting on Knowle Green were delighted to receive a masterclass from Nursery Chef, Carol Garland, who taught pre-schoolers how to make their very own cheese puff snacks, following an interest in cooking from the group after making dinner with their parents at home.  

During the experience, children used their language and communication skills to describe the ingredients they were using and the textures they could feel, as well as talking about the different food groups and learning important kitchen safety messages.

Knowle Green Day Nursery Manager, Chanelle Weaver explained;

“The children had a brilliant time taking part in the cooking session and found the process from baking to eating incredibly rewarding. They were captivated by Carol’s knowledge and couldn’t wait to tell their families all about their new-found culinary skills.”

Knowle Green Day Nursery are proud holders of the ‘Food for Life Served Here’ award, which acknowledges their use of ethically sourced ingredients, including the children’s homegrown garden produce and teachings on the importance of good nutrition to lifestyles.

Accreditations

News

Westwood Day Nursery mark Mental Health Awareness Week

Managers from Westwood Day Nursery in Coventry showed their appreciation for their dedicated colleagues with a series of initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week.

At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Westwood Business Park, teams were each gifted wellbeing bags to boost morale, with contents including tea and coffee pouches, positive quotes and affirmations, sweet treats and stationary, whilst colleagues created the time to talk about anything that was on their minds, no matter how big or small it seemed.

As part of the festivities, children explored feelings using their beloved ‘The Colour Monster’ storybook, before showcasing their creativity with drawings to represent various expressions.

Westwood Day Nursery Manager, Lyndsey Matthews 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.”

Westwood Mental Health Awareness Week

Accreditations

News

Sandfield Day Nursery mark Mental Health Awareness Week

Sandfield Mental Health Awareness Week

Colleagues from Sandfield Day Nursery in Headington were delighted to take part in a series of themed initiatives to mark Mental Health Awareness Week at the setting.

Dressed up to take part in the Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Wear it Green Day’, teams from the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Sandfield Road exchanged handwritten postcards with messages of positivity to inspire and made time to talk, before each receiving fidget keyring gifts from managers to help ease feelings of anxiety, nerves and restlessness.

Meanwhile, children took part in a range of activities to mark the occasion, from talking about their feelings with the help of their beloved ‘The Colour Monster’ storybook, to taking part in mindfulness activities including yoga to learn how to better improve emotional regulation.

Sandfield Day Nursery Business Administrator, Becci Worth explained;

“We had a fantastic time taking part in activities for Mental Health Awareness Week and this provided so many valuable opportunities to talk about wellbeing with both children and colleagues. We strive to show our staff team how valued they are with a range of gestures and events throughout the year, and always keep an open dialogue around this topic.”

Accreditations

News

Mental Health Awareness Week at Nature Trails Day Nursery

Colleagues from Nature Trails Day Nursery in Cawston were delighted to take part in a series of themed initiatives to mark Mental Health Awareness Week at the setting.

At the award-winning day nursery on Coventry Road, teams were set the daily task of finding the ‘positive potato’ hidden around the building, with winners each receiving a prize at the end of the festivities, as well as being able to adopt their crocheted potato with message which read, ‘I may be a tiny potato, but I believe in you. Go do your thing.’

As part of the occasion, colleagues took part in the Mental Health Foundation ‘Wear it Green Day’ and enjoyed ‘Thrive’ mental wellbeing drop-in sessions, as well as free access to the app through their company Childbase Partnership, as well as sweet treats in the staff room.

Meanwhile, children took part in a range of activities to mark the occasion, from talking about their feelings with the help of their beloved ‘The Colour Monster’ storybook, to taking part in mindfulness activities including yoga to learn how to better improve emotional regulation.

Nature Trails Day Nursery Business Administrator, Georgina Ross-Barnard explained;

“Mental Health Awareness Week presented so many brilliant opportunities to talk about wellbeing and our children and colleagues had a fantastic time immersing themselves in all the activities on offer. We always strive to show our colleagues how much we appreciate them, as well as keep an open dialogue on this important topic for everyone at nursery.”

Nature Trails Mental Health Awareness Week

Accreditations

News

Edwinstowe Day Nursery mark Mental Health Awareness Week

Edwinstowe Mental Health Awareness Week

Colleagues from Edwinstowe Close Day Nursery in Cambridge were delighted to take part in a series of themed initiatives to mark Mental Health Awareness Week at the setting.

From playing mindfulness games and mental health bingo, to learning breathing exercises to reduce feelings of anxiety, there were a host of wellbeing activities on offer to teams at the award-winning day nursery off Chaucer Road, who have permanent access to a staff self-care basket, filled with items to take including bath bombs, face masks and herbal tea.

During the festivities, colleagues enjoyed a ‘Dress to Express Day’ and mindfulness tasks including creating their own model animals using playdough, as well as fruit platters and cakes in the staff room and free resources including yoga handouts to use at home.

Meanwhile, teams created a display in the reception area inspired by the story of ‘The Colour Monster’ which was used to generate conversations around feelings with the children, as well as yoga and mindfulness activities within each age-appropriate room. 

Edwinstowe Close Day Nursery Manager, Fran Harris explained;

“We have had a lovely time marking Mental Health Awareness Week and we hope that we have made a real impact. Earlier in the year on World Kindness Day, we tasked each team member with writing a thoughtful message to another colleague, which we saved for this week and had made into a keyring for each of them. These have gone down so well, and we hope this is a permanent reminder to our staff that they are incredibly special and valued.”

Accreditations

News

Mental Health Awareness Week at Nene Valley Day Nursery

Nene Valley Mental Health Awareness Week

Managers from Nene Valley Day Nursery in Northampton showed their appreciation for their colleagues and parents with a series of initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week.

At the award-winning setting on Northampton General Hospital Complex, devoted staff teams were gifted with ‘happiness bags’ to boost morale, which contained gifts to promote wellbeing including a candle, sweets, wishing star and plasters, whilst colleagues spoke about the benefits of using positive affirmations and set up a station to help encourage this.

During the week of festivities, parents and colleagues were greeted with a ‘positivi-tea’ board as they entered the nursery in the morning, filled with different flavoured tea bags which they could help themselves to in exchange for adding a positive post-it note, with contributions including ‘you are strong’, ‘you are capable’ and ‘your feelings matter’.

Meanwhile, children took part in a range of activities to mark the occasion, from talking about their feelings with the help of their beloved ‘The Colour Monster’ storybook, to taking part in mindfulness activities including yoga to learn how to better improve emotional regulation.

Nene Valley Day Nursery Deputy Manager, Hayley Baverstock explained;

“Talking about mental health is more important now than ever before and we have had a fantastic week making this known in nursery. Research has shown that people who start their day with positive thoughts are more likely to experience feelings of happiness throughout the day, so we really wanted to promote these positive affirmations in the morning. We have also got a new wellbeing bucket list poster for our staff room, which colleagues can scratch off as they go, with tasks including start a journal, do a good deed, reconnect with nature and make a new friend.”

Accreditations

News

Lime Grove Day Nursery children enjoy police visit

Lime Grove children welcome police officer

Following an interest in ‘people that help us’, children from Lime Grove Day Nursery in Hemel Hempstead were delighted to welcome a police officer to the setting to learn more.

At the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery on Park Road, pre-schoolers were captivated as they listened to the officer speak about his important role in keeping people safe within the community, before giving the group a guided tour of the specialist police car and sirens.

As part of the learning opportunity, the Hertfordshire constable showed children the equipment he used as part of his role, which inspired role play activities back indoors, as well as answering burning questions from the group and sharing top tips for staying safe. 

Lime Grove Day Nursery Team Leader, Robyn Shuck explained;

“This was a hugely insightful experience for the children and we are extremely grateful to the police officer for giving up his time to come and visit. This provided a brilliant opportunity for the pre-schoolers to find out more about the positive impact the emergency services have in our community, whilst focusing on language development and safety messages.”

Accreditations

Cedars Day Nursery - Leighton Buzzard

We prioritise the importance of outdoor play at Cedars Day Nursery in Leighton Buzzard. All children at our Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ nursery have access to our large, natural garden area on a daily basis as we recognise the impact that being outdoors has on a child’s social, emotional and physical development. The children enjoy planting vegetables and tasting their produce, served by our dedicated Nursery Chef.

Cedars Day Nursery, Mentmore Rd, Leighton Buzzard LU7 2PA

Tel:  01525 850200

Email: cedars.nursery@childbase.com