
Babybirds: Doves
It is vital we work closely with parents to continue the routine from home. Babies settle best when things are consistent so we work with your sleep and meal times. Bedding provided from home helps your baby feel relaxed in our dedicated sleep room. Babies are checked every 5 minutes when asleep and there is a monitor into the Doves room. Each baby has their own cot of which two are evacuation cots with lockable wheels.
We provide breakfast, healthy snacks across the day and milk. There is cow’s milk for babies aged over 1 or for our younger babies, breast milk (which you supply) or formula milk (of your choice) which is freshly prepared in our milk kitchen. Lunch and tea you provide which we can heat and serve. We have the highest level 5 food hygiene rating from Environmental Health.
We operate a ‘keyworker’ approach where a designated member of staff is the bridge between nursery and home. They oversee your baby’s emotional, social and physical wellbeing. Strong bonds are established with the family which helps baby settle and self-confidence develop. Keyworkers are skilled at taking observations, photographs and videos to chart baby’s progress. These are uploaded to an online learning journal for parents to log on securely.
Fun, is first and foremost what delights babies in the Doves room. We create a dynamic, engaging environment including a sensory wall and treasure baskets to provide stimulation. Rattles, soft toys and 'feely' books are always within baby's reach. A variety of messy play opportunities encourage sensory development.
Outdoor activities are a core part of Ladybirds nursery. There is a dedicated baby garden in addition to the main garden. Highfield Park offers endless opportunities for learning and adventure. The babies visit most mornings exploring a variety of destinations such as the maze, woods and boules area. We have single, double and triple buggies for transporting them.
Occasionally a baby may have special needs and require an individual support plan. Verbal feedback is given daily along with a brief written report and supplemented with two consultations evenings per year. A newsletter is distributed every 6-8 weeks outlining the learning theme across the whole nursery and provides suggestions for how you can support learning at home.