Rose Street Nursery was formed in 1967 by a group of mothers from the Methodist Church and was one of the first in the Wokingham area.
Although not an official church organisation, we do enjoy a close co-operation with them.
Our group is committee run, members of which are elected annually at the AGM, held at the beginning of each year. The committee appoints the staff who are responsible for all the children in their care and the day to day smooth running of the Nursery.
We have been a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (formerly the PPA) from the very beginning and have strong ties with the local branch; some of our parents have served on the committee. We are a non-profit making organisation and we try to keep our fees and expenses as low as possible.
We are registered with Ofsted and are regularly inspected by them, this is also supplemented by visits and ongoing support from an appointed Early Years advisor. A copy of our certificate of registration is displayed on the notice board, along with a copy of our Insurance Certificate.
The Nursery meets at the Methodist Centre from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12.15 pm. Terms and holidays correspond closely with the local schools.
We are registered with Ofsted for 25 children per session, aged between
2½ to 5 years.
The inclusion of children that may have additional educational needs or
disability are welcome and we will ensure that appropriate support is
available to them and the staff who care for them, so that they have equal
opportunity to access all activities and learning experiences.
We hold a Lunch Club from 12.15pm until 1.15pm for children over 3 years of age, subject to sufficient numbers, costing £3 per session.
Any interested parents can put their childs name forward on a chart in the entrance lobby.
We also have Ofsted approval for our Breakfast Club,
which will run from 8.30am – 9.30am. As with the Lunch Club, the
price is £3 per session and will only run when there is enough demand.
Nursery Manager: Michelle Hodgetts NNEB, ADCE, D32\33
Nursery Assistants: Helen Bates, Tracy Crick, Lisa Marsden, Lynsey Little,
Celia Reed
We have an excellent ratio of at least 1 adult to 5 children.
The team strive to provide quality nursery education and care and comprises qualified nursery teachers and professionals appropriately trained in child development and early childhood education.
The team have regular staff\planning meetings and endeavour to provide a high level of care for the children.
The staff’s professional development is an important consideration and regular training courses are promoted as well as ongoing support, mentoring and dialogue.
All the staff have gone through a rigorous process of having their references checked prior to starting at the nursery and have obtained enhanced police checks.
A key worker system is operational at the Nursery.
Members of staff who make up the Rose Street team are allocated Key Worker children.
Parents will be informed of the member of staff who is primarily responsible for their support on starting nursery.
It is the responsibility of key workers to monitor, support, observe and document their children’s progress and development.
However, as a team it will be necessary for all staff to have understanding of all the children who attend the nursery.
Meetings, planning sessions, sharing information, concerns and other relevant issues should be raised regularly.
This sharing of information will enable each child’s individual needs to be met.
Key worker groups will be regularly assessed for their efficiency by the Nursery Manager who overseas this provision.
Key workers may be subject to change, eg:- should a member of staff leave.
Any changes will be discussed with parents and will be undertaken as
quickly as possible, a smooth transition is promoted.
Each staff member is responsible for compiling their key worker children’s developmental profile. They can also add to other children’s profiles if they see a certain developmental area.
The profiles are for those children who are aged 3-5 years and are formulated by Wokingham District Council and will chart your child’s developmental levels\progress\achievements and other relevant notes. They are in line with the Foundation Stage Curriculum.
When your child starts nursery they will immediately have a profile started which will be in place and kept updated until they leave.
For those younger children, from 2.5 to 3 years, the Birth to Three Framework is followed and observations compiled on a regular basis until they reach the profile stage.
Observations are a vital part of this process and these will be carefully collated.
Photographs, children’s own pictures, records of achievement and notes will also form the basis of ongoing record keeping.
Parents are also encouraged to contribute to this process, sharing information about their child. Any agreed conversations between staff and parents can be included.
The children’s own input is also encouraged and fully incorporated in the profiles.
Parent meetings are promoted as a way of sharing information which will greatly enhance this important provision - these meetings will be scheduled once a term at a time agreed in advance.
However, parents can ask to talk to a member of staff at anytime - any questions, queries, concerns or the passing on of information is encouraged – this is a two way process as staff will also pass on relevant information, thus strengthening the resolve of the nursery to fully support families with the child’s individual needs paramount.
On leaving the nursery your child’s profiles will be passed to the
relevant location, either directly or at an exchange meeting.
Parents can request to see their child’s records at anytime and can contribute when and wherever possible.
This extensive process is extremely important as information collected aides our understanding of the needs of each child, enabling us to provide the care and provisions they need.
Record keeping as an essential part of complying with funding regulations.
It is because of this that the nursery may be subject to a moderation inspection where our records are carefully analysed.
This may be carried out at certain intervals with notifications being
issued by the Early Years department. It is a good way to obtain clarification
and guidance on any changes that may have occurred with the format of
records that are kept.
The philosophy of Rose Street Nursery is to ensure that all children feel included, secure and valued. We believe that parents and families are central to the well-being of a child and for that reason we aim to build positive relationships with parents and carers in order to work effectively with them and their children.
Learning and play work hand in hand and at Rose Street Nursery and we recognise the importance of providing exciting opportunities for all children to help them make progress in their development and learning.
The nursery environment is a homely one where children feel relaxed, confident, supported and encouraged if needed. Learning is very much geared for each individual child at a pace that suits them.
Our aim is to provide every child with opportunities and activities that develop their physical, intellectual, emotional and social skills. The learning environment is planned and organised to provide the children with rich and stimulating experiences.
Its structure enables each child to explore, experiment, plan and make decisions for themselves, thus enabling them to learn, develop and progress.
The setting itself is interesting, bright and varied. We regularly display the children’s own creations, photographs and interesting pieces of art.
An interest table is a prominent feature in the room placed where children
can easily access it. Each child is also encouraged to bring in interesting
items, that are important to them, to nursery during show and tell sessions.
For our younger children, those who are 2.5 to 3 years,
we follow the 'Birth to Three' framework which takes as its focus the
child and steers away from subjects, specific areas of experience and
distinct curriculum headings.
The framework identifies four 'Aspects' which celebrate the skill and
competence of young children and highlights the interrelationship between
growth, learning, development and the environment in which they are cared
and educated.
The four 'Aspects' are:-
• A Strong Child
• A Skillful Communicator
• A Competent Learner
• A Healthy Child
For our older children the Foundation Stage Curriculum is followed. This introduces six areas of learning for 3 to 5 years olds. The Curriculum for the Foundation Stage should underpin all future learning by supporting, fostering, promoting and developing children's:-
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Mathematical Development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development
Each child can enjoy and experience a range of activities focused around
the child. Enjoyment is promoted where the child can have the opportunity
to encounter new challenges and experiences.
A varied selection of activities is always available for children to actively explore and develop new skills as well as practicing and developing existing ones.
We constantly review our provisions and rotate\introduce new equipment
wherever possible.
We help to do this by offering a range of resources such as sand and water-play,
painting, creative, messy\tactile play, construction, design and technology,
ICT, fine motor and small world activities.
Children are able to access books independently and there are many opportunities available for practicing and refining their ‘mark-making’ skills, a free art trolley is available in the play room.
We have a role-play area where children can develop their imaginative play and explore their own emotions as well as be aware of others and learn to play together.
During ‘circle-time’\recall time the children have an opportunity not only to engage in a social opportunity but to express ideas, feelings and share experiences with others if they choose to.
It is a time where social skills can be developed, co-operation and turn-taking can be encouraged – see the enclosed routine for an example of our typical nursery session.
Again this is not rigid and every effort is made by the team to offer
diverse experiences\opportunities.
We also believe in the development of each child through movement and
physical activity.
With adult support, if needed, children learn to use scissors and modeling tools with increasing dexterity aiding the development of the fine motor skills necessary for eventual transition to writing.
The children have the opportunity for engaging in lots of physical play such as running, jumping, hopping, skipping, balancing, dancing and free movement. ‘Music and movement’ sessions, outdoor experiences and using a wide variety of games and sports equipment can also promote and develop children’s gross motor skills, mobility, co-ordination and awareness of space.
We never forget that each child is respected as a growing individual who
is encouraged to develop at their own pace with praise and encouragement,
developing self confidence, respect for others, independence and an inquisitive
mind.
As well as developing the children’s sense of belonging within Nursery
itself, we also promote involvement within the wider community.
Outings to the library, park, fire station, dentist and others are organized on a regular basis. We also invite visitors into Nursery such as police officers and guide dogs.
We welcome parents, carers or family members who have a particular interest or area of expertise and are willing to come and share their knowledge and skills with the children.
In the midst of the Methodist Centre there can be found a secure courtyard
garden, it is very attractive and a wonderful opportunity for the children
to enjoy outdoor experiences throughout all seasons.
Following your initial enquiry
After your initial enquiry requesting a prospectus it is strongly recommended that a visit to the nursery will be very beneficial if one has not already taken place.
We do operate an open door policy and welcome visitors into the nursery.
You are also able to telephone the nursery manager, on 07749 744 783
between 9am-5pm, to make an appointment.
During the show round process you will be informed of relevant details as well as being given an opportunity to see the nursery environment first hand - any queries or questions can be raised during this time.
A registration form is enclosed which once obtained by the nursery will enable your child to be placed on the nursery waiting list – the charge for this is £15.00 which is non returnable.
All efforts will be made to accommodate your child as soon as a place becomes available, although numbers are limited we endeavour to process your registration and offer you a place as soon as we can.
We ask parents for half a terms notice so that we can be aware of spaces becoming available so that new places can be offered.
The manager is very happy to discuss the availability of places when asked.
As soon as a place is available you will be contacted immediately by telephone and then this will be confirmed in writing.
Your initial requested sessions are obviously our priority, we endeavour
to honour these to the best of our ability.
In order for you and your child to get a feel for the nursery we offer free pre-trial session(s) where each child is given the opportunity to stay and join in with session(s) along with their parent\carer. Children’s individual needs are taken into consideration, we are fully aware that some may need more than one session.
This process is extremely important as the team are very aware of the extra support and care that new children need to ensure that they have every opportunity to settle in their new surroundings.
Their happiness and your peace of mind are paramount and we strive for a safe, happy, relaxed and stimulating environment.
A waiting area is also available near to the play room which is a good way of allowing your child to play and if needed you can return to offer support to you child.
Staff members will relay to you how they feel the settling in period is going.
We also will ask you to give any relevant information which will aid the transition process, good communication from both sides is important in this.
A “welcome pack” will be given to you at this stage containing
information about the nursery and important paperwork is enclosed which
will be kept on file for each child who attends the nursery.
During the first official session it may be necessary for the child’s
parent\carer to be available for support at this time, again the waiting
area can be used if needed.
Internal waiting lists are also in operation and parents
that already have a child that attends Rose Street Nursery often ask for
permanent extra sessions, these requests are also dealt with as quickly
as possible and parents kept fully aware of how their requests are being
processed.
Parent helper rota
Children thrive when their parents are actively involved in their early
education and learning experiences. We operate a rota helper system and
ask that each family come in and help during at least 2 Nursery sessions
per term.
The rota is displayed on the notice board. This gives parents the opportunity to observe their child whilst at Nursery and join in with activities, it is a time to get a glimpse Nursery life.
The children really enjoy their interaction with rota helpers and we also hope you will find your rota session an enjoyable experience. It is a special day for your child when you are there to help and the staff very much value your time and assistance.
The nursery has its own notice board in our lobby, this is a way of gaining important information. We also have a website which is updated with relevant information on a regular basis; this can be found at http://www.rosestreetnursery.co.uk.
The Nursery Manager also sends out monthly newsletters
updating you if many relevant issues, other correspondence is sent out
as required – this is an important link between nursery and home.