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Tree House Day Nursery and Pre-School
Tree House Day Nursery was established in 1989 and is set in acres of beautiful grounds on the outskirts of the city of Wells. We have a secure garden, playground, our own woodland area and large car park. Our Nursery offers play and learning areas, computer room, sleep nurseries and freshly prepared food providing the perfect environment for your child to develop socially and emotionally in the company of their peers. Our state of the art camera system insures security throughout the premises.
Confidence and independence builds as the children play, share, experiment and explore together in stimulating and friendly surroundings.
We care for children from the age of twelve months up to school age. At Tree House Day Nursery we aim to provide a range of first hand learning experiences, which recognises the varying needs of each individual child. Our experienced and highly qualified team continually observe the child to help support their learning and development of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Our setting provides quality care in attractive, comfortable surroundings with delicious food and 100% support for parents. Our committed staff are there for you from 8.00am until 6.00pm fifty weeks of the year. The quality of our learning and care is reflected in a series of excellent Ofsted Reports. Direct links to these are shown on our website.
If you require any further information please contact us:
01749 679637
info@treehousedaynursery.com
This prospectus can give only a taste of what Tree House Day Nursery offers your child. We welcome you and your children to come and meet us and view the Nursery.
Little End – Under 3 years
(Babies and Toddlers)
The children enjoy days, which are busy and enjoyable but with time and space to be quiet, sleep, take walks in our lovely grounds, play with friends and enjoy our delicious meals.
We operate a key person system, which means that your child will be allocated a member of staff, providing continuity for both child and parents/carers. A child’s key person is responsible for meeting individual needs and ensuring they get the support they need throughout their time at Nursery.
The great popularity of our Nursery stems from our caring staff; we are often complimented on the relaxed happy atmosphere throughout the Nursery.
At Little End the children are placed into two age groups to promote their growth and development (Baby Group and Toddler Group).
The groups spend time playing together and are encouraged to socialise and interact with their peers and practitioners. Throughout the day children are offered a wide range of child initiated and adult led activities using a range of different environments to enhance their active learning. The Toddler group have focused periods of the day where they are starting to develop their listening and concentrating skills within a small group.
The children are offered a very gentle introduction to the Pre-School section of Tree House Day Nursery when the transition time comes. They will be encouraged to join the Pre-School environment for short periods of time with the support of their Key Person and a few of their peers.
Pre-School
“Early childhood is the foundation on which children build the rest of their lives – it is not just a preparation for the next stage – it is vitally important in itself.”
(First Things First: Educating Young Children – Early Years Curriculum Group 1992.)
We provide a varied fun and stimulating environment to support children’s learning through play. The structure of the Pre-School day ensures that all children experience a balance of activities. Children will be encouraged to make choices in their preferred play activities throughout the day.
Qualified staff develop close relationships with the children, supporting children’s learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Quality planning focuses on helping children to progress towards the Early Learning Goals at their own pace.
Letters and Sounds
Letters and Sounds is a phonics resource published by the Department for Education and Skills in 2007. We follow this at Tree House Day Nursery to build children’s speaking and listening skills as well as to prepare children for learning to read by developing their phonic knowledge and skills. We use a fun and interactive programme which concentrates on developing children’s speaking and listening skills and lays the foundations for the phonic work which starts at school. The activities are divided into seven aspects, including environmental sounds, instrumental sounds, body sounds, rhythm and rhyme, alliteration, voice sounds and finally oral blending and segmenting.
It is vital to develop children’s positive attitude to communication, language and literacy from the earliest stages. We aim to get children attuned to the sounds around them and interested in language through exciting stories, games and rhymes.
Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a single quality framework for children from birth to the age of five.
The EYFS is similar to a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but it is suitable for very young children, and it is designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow your child’s unique needs and interests.
Everything we offer to the children at Tree House Day Nursery aims to support children’s development, care and learning needs within the EYFS. The children learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.
The children are working towards meeting ‘The Early Learning Goals’ by the end of their first year at school.
Children learn skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate their understanding through 7 areas of Learning and Development. The aim is for children to develop in the 3 prime areas first which are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional development
- Physical Development
- Communication and Language
As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive Arts and Design
Children will naturally progress through the ‘Development matters’ stages at their own pace.
Your child’s key person will be responsible for planning a personalised provision for your child. We encourage Parents/Carers to discuss any matters regarding children’s development with our child’s Key Person.
The seven aspects of learning and development
Area of Learning and Development Aspect
Prime Areas
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development Making relationships
- Self- confidence and self-awareness
- Managing feelings and behaviour
- Physical Development Moving and handling
- Health and self-care
- Communication and Language Listening and attention
- Understanding
- Speaking
- Specific areas
- Literacy Reading
- Writing
- Mathematics Numbers
- Shape, space and measure
- Understanding the World People and communities
- The World
- Technology
- Expressive Arts and Design Exploring and using media and materials
- Being imaginative
- Personal, Social and Emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feeling; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.
- Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
- Communication and Language development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
- Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and develop early writing and reading skills. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written material )
- Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.
- Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
- Expressive arts and design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feeling through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design technology.
Parents/Carers as partners
Through observation, assessments and Parents/Carers involvement, staff are able to plan each stage in a child’s development. Regular newsletters, Parents/Carers evenings and notice boards enable Parents/Carers to be fully involved with their child’s learning and development throughout their early years. The daily activities that children will be experiencing at Tree House Day Nursery are displayed at each entrance for Parents/Carers to view.
We use an email system to communicate with Parents/Carers regarding general issues. We aim to provide time for Parents/Carers to communicate verbally to a member of staff on a daily basis. By encouraging a ‘open door’ policy Parent/Carers are able to discuss the needs of their child at any time. Confidential matters should be addressed with a member of senior management.
We are continually observing children and recording their progress in individual folders which we encourage Parents/Carers to share during their child’s time at Nursery. We regularly ask Parents/Carers to contribute to their child’s development by answering a few questions about their child. This information assists members of staff to create an environment that supports every child’s learning at their level.
While children are at the Little-End of the Nursery, Parents/Carers will receive a written summary of how children are progressing against the 3 prime areas of learning (Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, Communication and Language). This is called a 2 year old progress check and we encourage Parents/Carers to share the information from the check with other professionals such as health visitors.
Following this assessment Parents/Carers will receive an annual progress report explaining how children are progressing within the Early Years Foundation Stage. This can be discussed with your child’s Key Person.
Forest School
At Tree House Day Nursery we are fortunate to have developed a secure woodland area for the children to enjoy. We use this outdoor environment daily for all children. There are three sections to explore, including tyres to balance on, small trees to climb, logs to stack, dens to hide in, hammocks and swings, and our very own tree house build around a beautiful old cherry blossom tree.
We plan specific Forest School activities which involve children from 2 years upwards. Forest School is a unique educational experience. Its philosophy is to encourage and inspire individuals through mastery of small achievable tasks in a woodland environment, to grow in confidence and independence so that they develop a sense of self-worth.
They have fun finding mini beasts, making nature crowns and sticky leaf book marks, drinking hot chocolate and even creating their own river.
Tree House Woods really adds to our curriculum as well as being great fun for the children.
Playing outdoors:
In my summer bag for nursery I will need to bring:
- A sun hat
- A cotton t-shirt – so I can cover up
- Change of clothes
In my winter bag for nursery I will need to bring
- Warm coat
- Jumper
- Wellies
- Hat
- Waterproof trousers
- Change of clothes
Please name all items!
Meals
Our delicious meals are cooked in our own kitchen by our own Chef’s using fresh local produce wherever possible, providing a healthy balanced diet for you children. We have a 5 star rating from the Mendip District Council Food Standard Scheme. Our meat is locally sourced and for over ten years has been bought from Rob Croker, a well known farmer and butcher from Higher Whitnell Farm, Gurney Slade.
Breakfast Menu 8am-9am
A Variety of cereals / Toast / Fruit / Milk / Water.
Morning and Afternoon Snacks
Fresh Fruit / Biscuits / Crackers / Milk / Water.
Tea Menu 4pm
Variety of sandwiches; Marmite, Tuna, Ham, Cheese, Jam.
Crackers / Fruit / Salads.
Homemade cakes.
Water is available at all times.
We pride ourselves on our freshly prepared meals and snacks. To ensure that all children can enjoy our homemade food, we cater for all nutritional and dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan and any intolerances and allergies. Please fell free to speak to a member of staff on how we can cater for your child’s needs and tastes, however big or small.
A Typical Weekly Menu
Lunch Menu
Monday
Cheesy Cottage pie with lean steak mince
Fresh Mixed Vegetable
Vegetarian Cottage pie made with quorn mince
Fresh stewed apple and custard
Tuesday
Homemade salmon fish cakes
Baked beans
Oven chips
Summer fruit pudding and custard
Wednesday
Roast chicken breast, roast potatoes and gravy
Roast quorn, roast potatoes and vegetarian gravy
Fresh cauliflower and peas
Ice cream in cones
Thursday
Cod and sweetcorn bake
Chocolate fudge pudding and chocolate sauce
Friday
Turkey and vegetable casserole
Creamed potatoes
Fresh fruit salad
Equality Needs
At Tree House Day Nursery, It is very important to us that all children are treated equally and fairly, regardless or origin, race, culture or religion. We have an ENCO (equality needs coordinator) within the setting, whose purpose is to ensure that there is equality throughout the setting. This includes training and educating children and staff on equality, as well as assessing individual children’s needs, to ensure that they are able to develop and enjoy their time at Tree House, in a way that suits them, free from prejudice.
A big part of our inclusive practice is making sure the environment is rich with multicultural toys, props, costume and activities, such as cooking food from different countries.
At Tree House Day Nursery, we have extensive strategies in place to support EAL (English as an additional language) students and their families. We are able to acquire translators, books and resources in the family’s mother tongue, as well as translating our documents and even learning some simple and key phrases to help settle the children and the families into the setting.
Multi and bi-lingual language use is celebrated and encouraged for EAL children to develop and enjoy their time.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to speak to the setting ENCO, who will be able to help you with any issues regarding equality or EAL.
Terms & Conditions
Sessions
Morning including breakfast 8am-12noon.
Morning including breakfast & lunch 8am-1.30pm.
Afternoon including lunch & tea 12-6pm.
Afternoon including tea 2pm-6pm.
School Day 8.30am-3.30pm
All day session including breakfast, lunch & tea 8am – 6pm.
Please ask a member of staff for a current price list.
Registration
When you register your child at Tree House, a £50.00 deposit is charged to secure your child’s place. This fee will be returnable on your first month’s fees.
Attendance
The minimum attendance required by Tree House are two session per week. This is for the benefit of the child.
Withdrawal
One months notice is required or one month’s fees in lieu of notice.
Fees
Invoices are given out the first day of the month. All fees must be paid in advance and within seven days of receiving the invoice. If payment is not forthcoming a reminder will be sent and fees expected within the week. If fees continue to be outstanding unfortunately you may be asked to withdraw your child.
We accept all vouchers supplied by your employers.
Absences
All absences must be paid for in full. In case of continuing illness or hospital treatment please consult Zoe Matton (Manager) who will liase with the owners Hilary Hiscox and Jo Matton. Payment will be at their discretion.
Holiday
Tree House closes for two weeks over one year. One week in August and one week over Christmas. You will not be charged for these periods. We also close on all bank holidays, again you will not be charged. Please note – any other holiday taken throughout the year must be paid in full.
Funding
Somerset County Council will fund part time ‘nursery education’ for three and four years olds starting from the funding period after the child’s third birthday.
The funding periods are:
- Autumn: 1st September – 31st December = 210 hours
- Spring: 1st January – 31 March = 165 hours
- Summer: 1st April – 31st August = 195 hours
We are entitled to charge for anything exceeding the entitlement in each funding period and for additional services.