Channings Nurseries – Child Development

Each of our nurseries has a room for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

Babies

The baby rooms of our nurseries are bright and stimulating with lots of space for early movement. They are furnished to be cosy and secure for babies making the transition from home to nursery.   

In caring for your baby, we shall do as you ask. When parent and baby first come to our baby room we will ask you to spend some time with us to help us to understand your baby’s routine and needs. We will gently integrate your baby’s routine into our nursery day. Your baby’s day will be filled with toys (regularly cleaned and sterilised), messy play, exploration, talk, music, walks and hugs.

All of our baby rooms have a sofa where your key worker can sit comfortably to spend time with your baby especially when bottle feeding. Gradually, we will work with you to wean your baby onto a varied menu of homemade food. Finally, when babies are tired, they are encouraged to sleep in our cosy cots.

Toddlers

Our toddler rooms are spacious and exciting, designed to encourage your child’s growing confidence, independence and increasing mobility. Nursery days are filled with painting, chalking, cutting, sticking, water and sand play. Every day sees a different messy play activity using a huge variety of everyday materials.

In our nurseries we follow the Early Years Foundation Style Framework which recognises the importance of development and learning at this stage. The nursery day becomes more structured with the emphasis on language, learning through play, the acquisition of life and social skills and interaction with others.

Pre-School Children

Our nursery pre-school rooms are designed to be a children’s world. The room layout, play areas, resources and activities ensure that children have continuous access to whatever they need to support and extend their learning experience.

In the pre-school rooms, imaginative play remains the main vehicle for learning. Favourite activities from the Toddler Room are still found. Children will also enjoy early reading and maths tasks, mark making, construction, baking, ICT, exercise and dance.

Free choice is encouraged, although the children follow a daily routine which develops independence, gives the children an awareness of time and helps to prepare for that important transition to school.