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Parent Handbook

OFSTED Registration: EY426381

Website: www.tinkerbellsnursery-penwortham.co.uk

Telephone: 01772 751666 Email: tinkerbellsbridgeinn@gmail.com

Address: 6 Leyland Road, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 9XR

With Forest School

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Thank you for choosing Tinkerbells Day Nursery, firstly all of our staff at Tinkerbells

would like to welcome you and your child.

We want you and your child to feel comfortable and happy whilst attending Tinkerbells.

It is our aim to ensure that we meet all of your child’s individual needs whilst he /or she

is in our care. Within Tinkerbells we make sure that each child is treated as an

individual, with equal opportunities’.

About Tinkerbells

Tinkerbells Day Nursery was previously a public house, standing on the River Ribble in

Penwortham, Preston. In March 2011 work commenced to convert the building into a

nursery. Tinkerbells Day Nursery officially opened its doors to children from 0 – 5 years

in September 2011. At the beginning of 2015 we were honoured to accept the invitation

to become a Lancashire County Councils Lead Professional setting, offering our

children and families a rich and stimulating learning environment.

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Our Mission Statement

At Tinkerbells, our aim is to provide the highest standard of childcare in accordance with

OFSTED regulations and in order to meet all our parents’ expectations. All practitioners

within the nursery realise that parents are entrusting us with the safety, welfare and

education of their children; we respect this, so it is our intention to make sure that they

feel comfortable and confident in doing so. It is of great importance to us that we

provide a nurturing, safe environment, where the attachments between practitioners and

children are particularly valued, and strong lasting attachments between the children’s

family members, or caregivers, and the nursery are actively encouraged.

We strive to offer the children and their caregivers an experience that promotes equality

and diversity by ensuring that the nursery meets the needs of each individual child and

their family, taking into account any additional needs that a child may have. We will

work in partnership with parents, caregivers and other professionals to help the children,

through play, to learn and develop across all areas, in order for them to achieve their

maximum potential.

Our vision for the future is to maintain the quality of provision we have established. We

aim to maintain and strengthen relationships with neighbouring schools, local children’s

centres and the wider community in order to ensure we continue to provide high quality

early years education to all children and families who attend our nursery.

At Tinkerbells Day Nursery:

Everyone is included

Everyone is valued

Everyone is treated fairly

We look out for each other

We help each other

We are kind to each other

We listen to each other

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Staff at Tinkerbells

The daily experience of children in early years settings and the overall quality of

provision depends on all practitioners having appropriate qualifications, training, skills

and knowledge of their roles and responsibilities. We recognise the importance of

employing well-qualified staff, in order to maintain our high standard of childcare. We

have a strong team of knowledgeable practitioners who are extremely dedicated and

proud to offer our families the best experience of nursery life. This ensures that all

children are well prepared to move onto the next stage of their learning.

“You can teach skill but you can’t teach passion”

- Carlos Salinas

Due to our robust safeguarding policies and procedures, coupled with our safe

recruiting procedures and systems to ensure that all Tinkerbells staff are suitable to

work within the nursery environment. This is to ensure that any children who attend

Tinkerbells are safe and their welfare is paramount. To ensure that the quality of care

and safety and security of children is maintained the staff to child ratios are as follows:

For children aged under two years: 1 practitioner to 3 children (1:3)

For children aged two: 1 practitioner to 4 children (1:4)

For children aged three and over: 1 practitioner to 8 children (1:8)

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Please see our ‘Meet the Team’ board located in reception for more information.

Management

Vanessa Thompson Proprietor

Jane Broughton Nursery Manager

Julie Madden Deputy Manager, Leader of Hedgehogs

Daniella Wilson Assistant Deputy Manager, Leader of Foxes

Hedgehogs

Gemma Hesmondhalgh Nursery practitioner – Maternity leave

Danielle Jones Nursery practitioner – Maternity leave

Kirsty Donnelly Nursery practitioner

Michelle Laird Nursery practitioner

Otters

Sally Holliday Leader of Otters

Georgia Nightingale Nursery practitioner

Theresa Lucas Nursery practitioner

Squirrels

Stacey Singh Leader of Squirrels

Leanne Amos Nursery practitioner

Leanne Hambleton Nursery practitioner

Jodie Winstanley Nursery practitioner

Briony Carter Nursery practitioner

Owls

Maxine Bethwaite Leader of Owls

Annie Fairclough Nursery practitioner

Charlotte Whitwell Nursery practitioner

Ashleigh Gregson Nursery practitioner

Foxes

Sarah Boyd Early Years Teacher

Nicola Mellars Nursery practitioner, Forest School leader

Ruth Ashworth Nursery practitioner

Lauren Morris Nursery practitioner

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The environment

Facilities within the building consist of different groups, ranging from 0 – 5 years. The

group names are Hedgehogs, Otters, Squirrels, Owls and Foxes. The groups are based

on their age and stage, although children may move groups depending on their own

individual ability. The practitioners within the groups have increased knowledge and

experience working with that particular age range. Tinkerbells have created a learning

environment full of resources that meet the needs of all children who attend our nursery.

All practitioners within Tinkerbells realise that parents are entrusting us with their child’s

safety. We respect this, so it is our intention to make sure that our environment and

resources are assessed and safe for children. We aim to use these resources to provide

a safe and nurturing environment that inspires curiosity, awe and wonder.

“Let curiosity lead the way to wondrous opportunities of

learning”

We aim to provide interesting and ever-changing environments with unusual items for

our children to explore. It is an ideal way to develop their curiosity, provide opportunities

for them to ask questions, and to talk about things they have discovered. Through

purposeful, thoughtful environments we can inspire children to be inquisitive and

creative. We want magical and wondrous play opportunities that create the thinkers and

doers of the future. Teaching them how to think and not what to think.

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The outdoor environment and Forest School

We are extremely proud of our outdoor learning environment that we are able to offer

children and their families. We have made the best possible use out of a huge space,

and children can now access our very own Forest School. At Tinkerbells Day Nursery,

we are committed to the importance of daily outdoor play and physical development in

all children regardless of their age and stage of development. Forest School is great for

children to develop and experience the outdoors in the most natural way possible. All

activities will be made accessible to children, including those with learning difficulties

and disabilities to ensure all children are able to freely and independently use the Forest

School area. Through the use of Forest School learning it can create an inspirational

process, it offers all children opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-

esteem. Within forest school, we have access to all in one suits, which provide children

with waterproof protection.

In Forest School, we have a qualified Forest School Leader who supports our outdoor

area. When in Forest School the ratio will be one practitioner to every four children

(1:4), this enables the Forest School Leader to spend more individual time with the

children to enhance their learning to the best of their ability.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

At Tinkerbells, we follow the ethos of the EYFS; the EYFS is a statutory framework that

sets out the learning and development for children as they grow from birth to five years.

The framework recognises that the years from birth to five are so special because you

see the greatest growth and learning for all children. Within the EYFS it has been

divided up into six age bands which overlap one another. This is because every child is

different and children do not necessarily grow and develop at the same rate.

“It shouldn’t matter how slowly a child learns as long as we

are encouraging them not to stop” – Robert John Meehan

The framework is based on four themes:

A Unique child – Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can

be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive relationships – Children learn to be strong and independent through

positive relationships.

Enabling environment – Children learn and develop well in enabling

environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and

their strong partnership between practitioners, parents and carers.

Learning and Development – Children develop and learn in different ways. The

framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision,

including children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

The seven areas of learning:

Prime areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Communication and Language

Physical Development

Specific areas:

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Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

Interactive Learning Diary

At Tinkerbells, we use an interactive recording and

observation sharing tool called Interactive Learning Diary

(ILD). This system allows parents and caregivers access

to their child’s individual learning and developmental

progress file, via a secured internet portal. The ILD allows

parents and caregivers to post pictures and/or

observations from home onto the system which becomes

part of the child’s learning journey. When your child starts

nursery, you will be given a letter that explains how to

register using a unique code.

Children’s views – ‘Planning in the Moment’

The views of the children who attend Tinkerbells are the most important views of all,

from this the practitioners listen, record and act upon those views in a variety of ways.

Children are able to express their ideas and interests through the planning of stimulating

activities, that meet the individual needs of children and promote their future learning

experiences.

Assessment

Children are assessed from the moment they begin their nursery journey. All children

are observed and assessed by their key person weekly. Practitioners use an

observation sharing tool and paper trackers to monitor their children’s progress. When

carrying out future learning experiences practitioners are able support and meet the

needs of individual children through effective planning. Parents will be provided with

children’s progress reports at specific intervals, based on their age group.

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Daily routine

The daily routines within each group is unique, it is based upon the children’s individual

needs and what works best for the group.

Mealtimes are special occasions where children have the opportunity to engage in

conversation and develop social skills. At mealtimes children can discuss current

interests, different foods, ingredients and so much more. During mealtimes children are

encouraged to self-serve, promoting their own independence and self-esteem.

Mealtimes include breakfast, lunch and snack. If your child has any allergies or special

requirements we are able to accommodate them.

All children under the age of three will receive a home link diary, this will be submitted

online, on ‘Interactive Learning Diary’. The home link diary will be a record of your

child’s day, including food they have eaten, toilet training, nappy times, sleep times and

learning that has taken place.

‘A special bond’

When your child starts at Tinkerbells they will develop a very special bond with a

practitioner, every child in our care is then assigned a key person. The key person’s role

is vital to ensuring security for all new children. It is important that your child’s key

person follows your child’s learning and development throughout the developmental

stages. Within Tinkerbells, if your child’s key person is absent for any reason then your

child will be allocated a secondary key person. This ensures that your child’s individual

needs are being met throughout their time spent at nursery.

Before starting at Tinkerbells

This is an emotional time for both you and your child. We have found from experience

that a number of short ‘settling in sessions’ ease the process for your child. On

enrolment, the manager and/or room leader will discuss the times and days best suited

for you and your child. During this time children are able to familiarise themselves with

their new environment, practitioners and peers. We are very happy for parents to

telephone at any time for an update on how your child is doing.

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On your child’s first day, you will enter nursery and be shown where to place your child’s

belongings. Please ensure that you bring your child’s ‘All about me’ pack and family

pictures (clearly labelled), as this provides us with relevant information about your child’s

individual interests and needs.

We ask that parents bring the following items in a bag, if applicable:

Two items of clothing (including vests, underwear, socks)

Wellies – for activities in Forest School

Any comforters (blanket, dummy or teddy)

Nappies, wipes and cream **(under two years – nappies and wipes are provided)

Paracetamol, and any medication that your child may need

Sun cream and Sun hat (weather permitting)

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General information

Hours of opening

Tinkerbells Day Nursery is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am till 6.00pm. The

nursery is closed for all bank holidays, and one week between Christmas and New

Year. Please note that fees are payable during holidays and absences.

**CCTV is in operation at all times for security precautions, and is for internal use

only.

Absences

If your child is going to be absent from nursery we would greatly appreciate it if you

could contact us to let us know.

Illnesses

Unfortunately, if your child becomes ill during attendance to nursery, then you will be

contacted and asked to pick your child up as soon as possible. During this time, your

child will be cared for in a quiet, calm environment with a practitioner.

Antibiotics

Exclusion from nursery for 48 hours - from when the first dosage is taken

Sickness and

Diarrhoea

Exclusion from nursery for 48 hours

**The nursery manager/deputy managers have the right to refuse admission to a child who is unwell. This decision

will be undertaken by the manager/deputy manager in charge.

Medication

All practitioners are qualified first aiders, we are happy to administer medication if

parental consent has been given. Please ensure that medication instructions are clearly

labelled and visible.

Nursery Fees

Nursery fees are payable weekly or monthly, in advance. A monthly invoice will be

created, detailing childcare costs owed to date. Payments can be made by cash,

cheque, direct debit, or childcare vouchers.

Notice

Four weeks from when your written ‘notification of leaving’ is received.