Please reach us at tinytoadstools.fs@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
We follow the EYFS framework to identify children’s individual developmental stage and follow the ‘planning in the moment’ ethos to support their progression. We believe this method of planning to be the most effective as we can follow the children’s interests in the moment leading to a greater chance of them retaining the information. We have also adopted this method of planning in order to not disrupt a child’s flow of play; children learn best through play and vital social skills such as negotiation, communication and problem solving are discovered through uninterrupted freedom of play.
We ensure children’s developmental needs are met through our key worker system, where our early years educators use their extensive knowledge of the EYFS to weave your child’s next steps into every available opportunity. With qualified Early Years Educators, Forest School Leaders, SENCO, teachers, first aiders and safeguarding officers, our staff are highly equipped to understand the impact that can be made on a child’s early life. Tadpole Camp is a small area for our children aged 2.5yrs and under; this space ensures that our youngest adventurers have a dedicated area they can go to for some calm away from the older children if needed.
In order to maintain a focused and safe environment we have lower than average ratios, for example for 3/4 yr olds we are 1:6 where other nurseries are 1:8. As per the EYFS statutory framework, our ratio for 2yr olds is 1:5 and under 2yrs is 1:3. We want to maintain a calm environment for all where children feel secure and can offer the peace of the woodland as an alternative to a busy overwhelming nursery room.
We accept children from the beginning of the term in which they turn 2yrs old, for example if your child turns 2yrs old in November they would be able to start at the beginning of that school term in September. Children are welcome to stay with us until they turn 5yrs old or until they start school, whichever happens first.
For our youngest adventurers, we have our cosy bell tent for nap times. To keep warm in the winter, children have their own raised camp beds off the floor which are warmed by hot water bottles. To meet safer sleep requirements, a member of staff will remain in the sleep tent to supervise whilst children are napping.
When the time comes for your little one to start toilet training, we have private tents with camping toilets for the children to utilise which are cleaned regularly. We have taps for handwashing to enable us to teach positive hygiene routines.
We put on our coats and jump in puddles!
We believe that experiencing all weather is an important life lesson; sometimes conditions aren’t perfect, but we still go out and make the most of every day! It builds resilience and gives children an opportunity for sensory exploration like no other. As long as children are wearing the correct waterproof gear, we are out enjoying every season!
The only weathers we need to look out for are high winds and thunderstorms; anything above 40mph we use our den as shelter, anything above 50mph wind and in thunderstorms we hire a local hall for everyone’s safety.
We are signed up to accept tax free childcare payments and government funded hours; we typically stretch funded hours to cover the full 50 weeks we are open. If you require a term-time only contract and want to switch to term-time only funding, please get in contact to arrange this.
The Early Years Entitlement Funding is only provided to cover the quality care and education of your child; it does not include meals, snacks, suncream, educational visitors, extracurricular activities that lie outside of the EYFS. Therefore, to provide these services, please be aware that we ask for consumables charge of £11.50 per funded day to cover this. If you wish to opt out of these services,please get in contact as alternative meals and other arrangements will need to be made.
We follow the Forest School ethos that there is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. Appropriate clothing helps children stay warm, dry, comfortable, and able to enjoy outdoor learning throughout the year. A kit list will be provided to parents before starting.
We do have TT uniform available to purchase too, please get in touch for more info.
As you can imagine being an outdoor nursery, sustainability is important to us. It enables us to model ways of being responsible for our world to the children that they can then carry with them and implement into their own lives.
• Our den collects rainwater which we use for water play and watering plants
• We grow vegetables for the children to try at snack times
• Wet clothes are sent home in reusable dry bags instead of plastic nappy sacks•
We use natural, repurposed, open ended resources reducing the need for manufactured toys•
We use eco-friendly cleaning products•
Our energy consumption is minimal•
We heat water using small fires instead of using electricity
• We have a clothing bank for uniform and waterproof clothing reducing waste and making outdoor learning more accessible for all
We understand that starting at nursery is a big transition for children and their parents. We try to make this as smooth a process as possible by inviting children to our open morning events, organising home visits and two settling in sessions (1hr & 2hr) to build those important bonds between child and key carer.