Park Road
At Small Steps, we feel it is important to provide tranquil play spaces, in which children are free to play, to ponder and tinker
The Curiosity Approach
The ethos of the Curiosity Approach is embedded in everything we do; this involves bringing together childhood philosophies such as Maria Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Te Whariki to provide a modern approach towards early years learning
Our Rooms
Mini Explorers
Aged 6 weeks to 16 months
This room has a staff ration of 1 member of staff to 3 under twos.
Here the youngest children are cared for in a welcoming small group. Routines are closely maintained throughout the day following routines from home. Staff work in partnership with parents to settle children into our nursery environment.
Parents receive a welcome pack and photo of their Key Person to familiarise your child with them and arrangements will be made for free settling-in sessions prior to starting.
Explorers
Aged 12 Months to 2 Years Old
Our cosy reading areas are snug, using cushions and rugs in neutral colours to soften the space, giving a homely feeling.
The children are starting to play differently, questioning more and treating the resources with respect. We want every area to appeal to their young inquiring minds.
When we feel a child is ready to move to the next stage and room in the nursery, we will discuss this with parents to ensure a comfortable and secure transition for your child.
Discoverers
Aged 2 to 3 Years Old
Each room takes children to many different places and allows them to be absorbed in their play. We take resources into the wild and encompass a pedagogy of learning.
We see lovely meaningful interactions between staff, children and our environment, using “in the moment” planning to embrace the children’s different interests whilst learning. We trust our knowledge of the children’s next steps and provide activities to suit each area of learning to meet their Early Years Outcomes.
Adventurers
Aged 3 to 4 Years Old
Adventurers take part in a wide variety of curious and imaginative activities following the principles in the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Although the emphasis will remain on learning through play all activities cover the seven areas of learning and development as in each nursery room: Communication and language, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design.
Children are prepared for their transition to primary school. We have links to all local schools and in the community.
Healthy Meals
We pride ourselves on our tasty, wholesome, healthy meals that are cooked each morning in our nursery kitchens, full of nutrition and flavour.
During the day we provide a healthy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, fruit snack, fresh milk and water as we believe a healthy well-balanced diet is essential for a child’s development.
We also provide fruit and vegetables, home grown by the children in our organic garden, as snacks or to accompany afternoon tea.
We never give children raw eggs, nut products, sweetened or soft drinks or processed food and salt is never added to any of the food.
Mealtimes are sociable where good table manners and children’s independence is encouraged. Children help to lay the table and serve themselves, often having double portions!
Beach Explorers
This innovative project enables children to learn more about their local coastal/marine environment.
As Small Steps is so close to West Kirby beach, we decided to adapt the Forest School principles to create this project in 2011.
All children are included from our youngest Mini Explorers to our oldest children in the Adventurers Room
Little Rakes Gardening
Every child in nursery is a Little Rakes Gardener. During nursery hours we work as a team to plant, sow and harvest the produce that the children grow. Children learn about the importance of caring for nature and the benefits of healthy fresh vegetable and fruit.
We also nurture sensory plants such as lavender and herbs with different textured leaves.
Children us their vegetables for cooking, especially vegetable soup!
FAQs
What time is the Nursery Open?
Nursery is open from 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday 51 weeks a year expect for Bank Holidays.
We offer an Early Start at 7:30am for an additional fee per day. These sessions are booked in advance.
When are invoices paid?
Parents will received an invoice reminder on the 16th of each month, payments are due on the 26th of each month.
Do I have to pay if my child is sick?
Yes, as per our terms and conditions parents still have to pay if your child is sick or on holiday.
Can my child attend if they are on antibiotics?
Children on antibiotics, are required to stay at home for 48 hours from the start of the antibiotics course. If your child is well enough after 48 hours, they can return back to nursery. Antibiotics can be administrated if the correct paper work has been completed and the medicine is in the correct box and labelled with child’s name on.
When is my child eligible for funding?
Funded places are allocated the term following after the child turns 9 months old. This is from 1st January, 1st April and 1st September, for 38 weeks of the year. Further information can be found at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Where are the toys?
At nursery we want our children to use their imaginations and develop a strong sense of curiosity, awe and wonder and use open ended resources, instead of traditional toys to stimulate the child’s imagination, creativity and curiosity.