Children of all ages are offered a fresh and creative range of activities which are tailored to meet his or her individual needs. Whatever your child's level of development, interest or mood, our staff are constantly evolving a personalised, creative curriculum.

Babies

When babies are very young, a great deal of time is taken up with their eating, sleeping - and nappy changing! However, even at this stage our care goes well beyond just the material needs of the babies.

Babies' senses can be stimulated in many ways which is fun for them and helpful for their development. For example, babies can be helped to explore their sense of touch by feeling different textures and materials in the Acorns' treasure basket.

Adapting to meet your child's needs

As children grow, their needs change and the activities and equipment we offer them change too. They learn how to use a wider variety of toys - including classics, like building blocks and jigsaws. They also join in the day to day activities of the nursery which are overseen by staff to ensure even simple tasks become part of the learning experience. For example, a group of toddlers may be asked to help 'harvest' rosemary for the lunch, and learn about the smell and texture of that plant.

The National Curriculum

The Foundation Stage of the government's National Curriculum applies to children from 3 years (at nursery and pre-school) to the end of their Reception year (usually at primary school). It covers the following six early learning goals:

• Communication, language and literacy
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Mathematics
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical development
• Creative development

We teach the requirements of the National Curriculum - and much more -through a mixture of stimulating and entertaining activities (including games, artwork and role play, for example) and more subtle activities that are part of every day life at the nursery. For example, children helping to lay the table for lunch are learning mathematical concepts of matching cutlery and counting spaces, while another child helping to peg washing on a line is developing fine motor skills which are essential for learning to write.

'Get set for school' programme

In the final year before school, the children will join our 'get set for school' programme, which helps prepare them for primary school. It includes developing independence (putting their coats on and off themselves) and getting used to norms of a larger school.

The curriculum continues as before, encouraging children in all areas of their development and addressing the Foundation Stage's Early Learning Goals. Children also continue to develop their pre- and early reading skills and the early stages of mathematics and our staff are trained and equipped to offer them support and help, according to their needs.

We work with the school of your choice to ensure our teaching practices are compatible with those of your child's future school.

Languages

French and Spanish teachers visit the nursery for pre-school foreign language sessions designed specifically for nursery age children. The teachers are native French and Spanish speakers and a mix of activities including songs, games and stories ensure learning is fun. No extra charge is made for attendance at language sessions.

Fresh air and healthy food

We believe in helping children to develop habits and tastes that will allow them to develop a healthy lifestyle as they grow up.

The children play outside in the grounds all year round - equipped with wellington boots and warm coats in the winter and sun hats and cream in the summer. We have a gazebo for each patio area so children can enjoy the fresh air whilst being shaded from the sun. In addition, the babies have their own pergola in their garden for extra shade.

Meals and snacks are healthy, fresh and homemade and children are encouraged to take part in the whole food preparation process from planting vegetables to harvesting and cooking, wherever possible.

Good manners and behaviour

Developing good manners and behaviour are very important part of growing up. We help children learn self-discipline and respect for the needs of others. We always praise co-operation, taking turns and helping others, and we encourage children to greet people politely and say 'please' and 'thank you'.