Cygnets
6 months - 2 years
Our goal is to nurture your baby’s language skills through the Montessori approach. We understand that babies respond beautifully to facial expressions and body movements, and we focus on enhancing these connections. Our nursery features excellent sleeping and changing facilities, along with high-quality toys and equipment designed to support your child’s development.
To keep you informed, we offer an app that provides real-time updates throughout the day, allowing you to easily track your baby’s activities and experiences with us.
What your child will love about this room:
Settling-In Sessions for New Children
At the Cygnets Room, we understand that starting a new childcare setting can be an exciting yet challenging experience for both children and parents. To ensure a smooth and positive transition, we offer a three-day settling-in period before your child’s official start date. This gradual introduction helps your child feel comfortable, while also providing us with the opportunity to gather essential information about their individual needs.
Settling-In Schedule:
- Example: If your child’s official start date is a Monday, their settling-in days will be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of the previous week.
- Day 1: Your child will attend for 1 hour to begin familiarising themselves with the new environment.
- Day 2: The second settling-in day will be 1.5 hours, allowing your child to adjust further and experience more of the daily routine.
- Day 3: On the final settling-in day, your child will stay for 2 hours, providing a more complete experience of our typical day in the Cygnets Room.
This gradual approach helps your child settle at their own pace, reducing any anxiety and allowing them to develop a sense of familiarity and comfort in the space.
What We Focus On During Settling-In:
During these three days, we will:
- Get to know your child’s individual needs: This includes discussing your child’s routine, dietary requirements, and any sleep patterns to ensure we provide the best care.
- Introduce our daily routine: We will help your child become familiar with the activities, environment, and schedule of the Cygnets Room, so they feel confident and comfortable.
- Build a relationship with you: We believe in working closely with parents to understand your child’s unique needs. Your input is invaluable in helping us provide personalised care.
Ongoing Communication:
To ensure you are always informed, we provide regular updates on your child’s day through our secure, shared app. You will have your own personal login, giving you access to real-time information about your child’s activities, meals, sleep, and any notable moments throughout the day.
We recognise that attention to detail is essential in providing the best care for your child, and we are committed to working closely with you to support their development in a caring, nurturing environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
We want your child to be comfortable and happy, so please bring the following:
- A change of clothing (including underwear)
- Nappy cream (if needed)
- A bottle or sachets of Calpol
- A pair of close toe slippers (to keep things cosy inside)
- Sun hat, wellies, and waterproofs (for outdoor play, depending on the weather)
- Woolly hat, scarf, and coat for colder days
- Sun lotion (in the warmer months)
If someone else will be picking up your child, just let us know in advance. We have a password system in place for security, and the person collecting will need to show ID and a recent photo (if we haven’t met them before). For your child’s safety, we will not allow collection if the person is under the influence of alcohol or any substance.
Your child’s Key Person will monitor their progress and share regular updates with you. We use an online system where you can see your child’s achievements and development. You will also be invited to parent consultation by appointment and at the end of each session, we’ll give you a brief update on how their day went.
We understand that life sometimes gets in the way, and delays happen. If you are going to be late, please let us know as soon as possible. If it’s a one-off, it’s not a problem. However, if lateness becomes a regular occurrence, we will charge an additional fee at our normal hourly rate. Details of our late fee policy are available at reception.
We serve healthy, nutritious meals throughout the day:
- Breakfast (7:30am until 8:45 am): A choice of cereals, toast, or crumpets
- Snack (10:00 am): Fresh fruit, breadsticks, or salad sticks
- Lunch (around 11.30/12:00 pm): A hot, freshly prepared meal from our in-house chef
- Tea (around 3:00 pm): A light meal or snack
Our menu is updated each term and displayed on the notice board for you to check.
- Morning session: 7:30 am to 1:00 pm
- Afternoon session: 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
- Full day session: 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
Yes, we are open 50 weeks over the year, except for Bank Holidays, Easter, and Christmas. You will receive our annual calendar, which is also displayed on the notice board, so you can plan.
If your child feels unwell during the day, we’ll contact you to let you know. For more serious illnesses, we may suggest you collect your child early and may advise a doctor’s visit. We have strict exclusion periods for sickness (48 hours after symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea), so please check our Illness Policy for further details. We can administer Calpol or Piriton with your permission via the online portal.
Yes, we want to ensure your child feels rested and comfortable. We support your child’s home sleep routine as much as possible, and each child has their own clean mat, blanket, and sheet for naps. Our sleep areas are designed to suit different needs, and our staff will assist your child in settling down when needed.
We can administer Calpol or Piriton for minor ailments (with your permission), and we also have procedures in place for children with ongoing medical needs (e.g., inhalers). We cannot administer antibiotics, but you are welcome to come in to give these to your child. Our staff are all first aid and medication trained.
We recommend comfortable, practical clothing for nursery, as children will be exploring, playing, and learning throughout the day.
- Close toes Slippers for indoor wear
- Waterproofs and wellies for outdoor play in the winter months
- Sunscreen and sun hats for the summer
- Tiny Studs on ears only
- We also encourage children to wear aprons for messy play, and we ask that they don't wear their best clothes to avoid accidents!
Yes, comforters can help your child feel safe and settled, especially during transitions. However, as it’s a busy environment, we recommend leaving very sentimental or expensive items at home, as we cannot guarantee they will stay safe.
Occasionally, we take children on short local outings, such as trips to the park, walks around the area, or visits to the shops. Children wear yellow high-vis jackets for safety, and we take a first aid kit along with us.
We pride ourselves on having a qualified, experienced team. Our staff hold a variety of early years qualifications, and we continue to support their professional development. For full details, you can check the staff qualifications notice board.
Yes, all our staff (including full-time, part-time, volunteers, and students) undergo a full DBS check before starting. We also require DBS checks for those delivering extracurricular activities like Spanish, ICT, Sports lessons.
We’d love the chance to resolve any concerns you may have, so please talk to us if you’re considering withdrawing your child. If you do decide to leave, please refer to our Terms & Conditions for the process, and we will make sure everything is handled smoothly.
A Learning Journey is an online profile that showcases your child’s progress. It includes observations, photographs, achievements, and goals. You can also contribute by sharing your observations from home. This helps us plan for your child’s individual needs and development.
We have CCTV throughout the nursery for security, and all staff are trained in safeguarding. For additional security, we also ask that you do not allow anyone into the building without checking with staff first.
We have an open-door policy, meaning you are always welcome to drop by to discuss anything that’s on your mind, ask questions, or simply have a chat. Our doors are always open to you, and we are happy to accommodate any conversations or concerns you may have.
We place great importance on regular and clear communication with you. This includes sharing updates about your child’s development, daily activities, and any concerns you may have. Whether it’s through our online learning portal, face-to-face conversations, or parent consultation, we are committed to keeping you well-informed.
We encourage you to be actively involved in your child’s nursery journey. We love hearing about your child’s interests, milestones, and experiences from home. By sharing this information with us, we can better tailor our activities and support to your child’s individual needs.
We believe in celebrating the milestones and special moments in your family’s life. Whether it's Mother's Day, Father's Day, or Grandparents' Day, we love involving parents in nursery events and activities. These occasions not only help us build stronger connections with your family but also create memorable experiences for your child.
In addition to regular updates, we hold parent consultations where we can discuss your child’s progress in greater detail. These meetings provide an opportunity to share feedback, set goals, and ensure we are all working together to support your child’s development.
We value your input and feedback. Whether it’s a suggestion, a concern, or a praise, your voice matters. We are here to listen, learn, and improve, ensuring your child’s experience is nothing short of exceptional.
At our nursery, we are dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment where both you and your child feel supported and confident. We understand the importance of working closely with parents to ensure that your child receives the best possible care and education. By partnering together, we can create a positive, enriching experience that helps your child grow, learn, and thrive to their full potential.
We are also committed to promoting British Values as part of our educational approach, which includes:
- Democracy: Encouraging children to make decisions, express their opinions, and understand that their voice matters. We provide opportunities for children to participate in discussions, help make group decisions and be heard within the nursery setting.
- Rule of Law: Helping children understand the importance of rules, boundaries, and fair play. We guide children in learning about respect, personal responsibility, and how to follow both nursery and societal rules to create a safe and supportive environment.
- Individual Liberty: Empowering children to explore and make choices in a safe and supportive setting. We encourage self-expression, foster independence, and respect individual interests and preferences. Children learn to make their own decisions within clear boundaries.
- Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs: We promote respect for others, teaching children to appreciate and celebrate diversity. Our nursery environment is inclusive, where all children, regardless of their background, culture, or faith, are valued and supported.
By embedding these values into everyday activities, we help children develop a strong sense of right and wrong, build positive relationships with others, and appreciate the diversity of the world around them.