Our environment
Our unique indoor environment
An inspiring environment for your child the thrive
At Kiddywinks we have a unique environment that reflects our ethos and learning culture of fun, learning and imagination. Our rooms are places where children are safe and settled. They can experience a wide range of activities that are fun and children learn by being able to create, explore and challenge themselves.
In order to make sure that each age group gets the attention and direction, they need have split our setting into age-specific rooms in order for us to be able to offer the support that a child needs as they develop. We are also lucky enough to have a secure and substantial outdoor area for all our children to play in.
Baby room
Our baby room is a warm, caring, stimulating environment: rich in sensory opportunities for your little ones. Our carefully selected team, experienced in caring for babies, provide a beautiful balance of cosy cuddles and exciting play. We are committed to working with you as a family; continuing your babies current care routine is vital to us. To support verbal communication between parents and the key person, your baby will receive daily feedback and what exciting opportunities your baby has been up to! Your baby’s key person will send you a photograph of your baby along with observation and learning by our online system Tapestry, and this is carried throughout your child’s nursery adventures. Whilst you can use it to provide exciting news, special events, achievements at home for your child’s key person.
Toddler and early explorers
Moving through to our toddler room, we provide your child with opportunities to experience and explore their growing world, embracing their emotional wellbeing and self-esteem. We encourage them to express their unique personalities by nurturing each individual child’s interests and stages of development.
All of our learning is play based on children’s reactions or interests. We do this by providing children with opportunities, the learning which takes place within these opportunities is unique to each child. Our knowledgeable practitioners then support and extend children’s ideas using reassurance and effective questioning to develop your child’s knowledge and understanding further. The children are encouraged to use their independence to choose their own activities and build on their play experiences with others. Opportunities of small world and role-play activities are provided to extend the children’s imagination, making their stories come true. We give the children enough time to say what they want to say and provide them with the resources that encourage them to communicate. Small group times are encouraged to promote turn-taking and focus attention ready for them to move into the Preschool room.
Pre-School room
Confidence and security in their own independence are vital in ensuring the transition from nursery to school is a positive one. We use many activities to promote trust and self-awareness such as our welcome songs, days of the week song and circle time. Encouraging independence in self-care, such as their independent skills of putting your own coat, wellies, shoes on, is also something we refine in pre-school.
We further prepare children by introducing knowledge of numbers, shape and the introduction of phonics and letter information. We have many resources, such as our lunch labels, that encourages name recognition leading to the writing of their name when they are ready.
Outdoor environment
Here at Kiddywinks we are lucky to have amazing outdoors, babies have access to their own garden, Toddlers, Early explorers and Preschool share the big garden, where they have access to a tree house, creative house and a big sandpit. All children have access to the vegetable garden, exploring the sensory area and learning skills of how to look after and grow their own fruit and vegetables. We have fantastic opportunities to explore the nearby park, town centre, library and the Ernst Wilson Garden. Kiddywinks are enthusiastic about outside play and believe children should experience all weathers. Imagine seeing the sunshine, flowers, rain or snow for the first time!
The staff at Kiddywinks are all highly trained and qualified in caring for children. In order to maintain this level of quality, childcare standards and performance are continually monitored and all staff have the opportunity to participate in continual professional development and training throughout the year.
Regular team meetings and training sessions further promote a feeling of team spirit and encourage staff to feel proud of the important role they play in your child’s development.
Messy play
We don’t all like to get messy at home but that’s why this is a perfect opportunity for your child to get hands on, head to toe in all kinds of sensory activities! We experience gloop play (cornflour), body painting, large panting, playdough, sand, mud, flour and even baked beans! It develops physical, language, cognitive, social and emotional skills, creative and best of all the staff love it too.
Story time
Our key Person approach
How can this help your child?
A Key person approach supports and provides a stable nursery experience and environment, ensuring the children feel secure and cared for. The Key Person meets the individual needs of each child and will respond sensitively to their feelings, ideas, and behaviours. The Key Person has a special responsibility to their child -they will often be the one to feed, change and soothe your child. This bond between the Key Person and the child allows us to better understand your child’s needs, hence improving their overall nursery experience.