Growing Up

At Head Start we cater for children from 3 months of age right up to 5 years old. We have three main age groups within our nursery; Happy Hedgehogs, Busy Bees and Wise Owls.

Our staff will interact with your child in order to support and personalise their learning. They will ask questions and talk with them; they will introduce new vocabulary, new concepts and new experiences. They will encourage and help them, but most importantly they will play with your child.

Happy Hedgehogs

We understand that leaving your baby can be a difficult time for parents, so we make sure you feel secure in the knowledge that your child is cared for in safe, stimulating and fun surroundings.

The cosy Happy Hedgehog rooms are a home from home, where your child will receive exceptional care and attention in an environment that will stimulate their growing curiosity. The Hedgehog group is for children aged from 3 months to 20/24 months. The children are cared for in two separate rooms; one dedicated to our youngest babies, the other for our toddlers and walkers. When our Hedgehogs need a nap, we have a separate peaceful sleep room which is ready and waiting!

Your child’s individual needs are of paramount importance to us at Head Start. Each baby will have an individual care plan which you and their Key Person have agreed on. This will enable us to follow your wishes for their routine whilst introducing­­ new experiences for them to enjoy. Your child will have a communication book in which our staff will note what your baby has been doing, the time they slept and for how long, when their nappy was changed, what and how much they have eaten; all vital information for busy parents, especially if you don’t have time to chat at the end of the session!

As parental preferences are individual, we ask you to provide your choice of prepared baby milk each session, plus some of your child’s nappies, wipes (and cream) which we can store at nursery if you wish.

Busy Bees

In the Happy Hedgehog rooms we offer a wide range of stimulating activities; each designed to foster your child’s curiosity about the world around them. Your child will learn through interaction with familiar carers, by using all their senses to explore their environment and develop their emerging physical and social skills. Moving to the Busy Bees is where serious exploration begins!

This is a time of huge developmental change for your child; physically, socially and intellectually. This room caters for children from 20/24 months through to 32/36 months. During this time your child will rapidly develop their social skills.   They will play with their friends, eat lunch together and enjoy sitting as a group; singing, listening and learning during circle time.

A large range of educational toys and equipment is used to stimulate your child’s excitement for learning. They should be able to make choices about what they would like to play with, so we make our equipment accessible and displayed in a way that actively invites exploration. We will also encourage your child to tidy up!

Most children become ready for toilet training at this age. When your child is ready for this important next step, they will be given every encouragement by our nursery professionals who will work with you to achieve this important milestone.

We have a great garden with different zones for your child to enjoy, climbing, riding, digging, jumping and running. The children play in the garden, enjoying the fresh air and open space throughout the day.

With effective staff support, your child will enjoy a wide range of activities, toys and experiences and will discover new and exciting things. They will be able to take part in a variety of activities; such as, art and craft, singing and music making, story time and rhymes, sand and water, cooking, role play, and outdoor play. Not forgetting messy play, which is always a big favourite with the Busy Bees! Children move through each room depending on their developmental stages and in close consultation with your wishes.

Children will be encouraged to try something new or different and to take that extra step.

Wise Owls

Finally, your child will move into the Wise Owl room. In this age group we gently introduce a little more structure into each session in preparation for BIG school, although the emphasis is still on learning through active play, exploration and creative thinking. Here the children are aged from 32/36 months to 5 years (or until they go to school).

Head Start has a balanced approach to early education; our environment ensures we cater for numerous activities, experiences and topics enabling your child to embrace learning at their own pace.

Our perceptive staff take time to observe and understand your child’s individual needs and interests; they ask many open ended questions and inspire the children in their care.

Your child will be able to experience numbers and writing skills, they will have ample opportunity to learn with the computer, they will take part in art and craft activities, building with toys and exploring malleable materials. They can enjoy dance and singing, active play inside and plenty of fresh air outside.

They will discover how things work and grow, and a little bit about the past. They will be able to play individually and as part of a group, making choices and reaching their full potential in a stimulating and balanced environment.

In the Wise Owls the children are encouraged to develop a love of books, they take home a weekly book to share with you, to turn the pages and tell their own story through pictures and even recognise some familiar letters or words. We introduce sounds and letters in a variety of ways. The Owls also have a weekly activity in their communication book that you may like to try at home.

Our unique approach to early learning combines the very best aspects of both teaching and care. Your child will soon develop a strong sense of achievement through learning and playing in a relaxed, rewarding, enabling environment of the highest quality.