Caterpillars
These are our youngest children aged from 0-16 months. The emphasis in the baby room is love, warmth and security in a stimulating area. We have an experienced core team of staff in each room and work with a staff ratio of 1:3. Our Caterpillar room offers an array of learning opportunities, as well as several cosy areas for children to sleep. From day one we promote and build strong relationships with our parents and carers. Staff are fully trained and knowledgeable and provide stimulating activities at an age-appropriate level for the children. Your baby will be allocated their own Special Carer in order that strong relationships can be built and a special understanding between the member of staff, yourself and baby can be developed. The contentment and happiness of your baby is paramount.
Every child has their own care plan that is updated regularly and implemented in every room they transition into. In Caterpillars we provide bright comfortable surroundings for the babies to play, rest and eat. In this light and spacious room the babies have every opportunity to reach, grasp, roll, crawl, sit, climb, balance and even take those first steps. Our Special Carers are also on hand to offer a cuddle and comfort to support and reassure where needed. All the activities that we do are carefully considered so that they enhance the development of each individual child.
The babies have their own special baby garden which provides a safe and secure area to explore the outdoors at various times throughout the day. Our babies enjoy this outdoor space and are given opportunities to enhance their physical abilities as well as providing them with many more learning opportunities/experiences within the outside world. Our Caterpillars go on many walks around Newton Hall either to the library, the local shops or the nature reserve.
All of our meals are freshly made on site every day by our kitchen team. We have a 26 day rolling menu and the team ensures that all of our nursery children eat a healthy, well balanced-diet. We support all stages of weaning within the caterpillar room – we invite you to update us regularly as you begin to add more foods into your child’s diet. We cater for all faiths and support allergies here at Busy Bees. Full copies of our Summer and Winter menus are available for parents to see. We also display our ‘Meal of the Month’ and invite you to try our delicious recipes at home too. The kitchen staff are very experienced and special dietary needs can be catered for and alternatives to the set menu can be offered after discussion with the parents/carers/the Management team and the kitchen team themselves. Please look on the Healthy Eating page for more information.
Baby Signing
We believe that using baby signs with the pre-verbal children within our setting develops early language skills and encourages communication.
Baby Signing provides opportunities for pre-verbal children to express their needs, feelings and wishes. Using baby signs helps babies learn to begin to make sense of the world around them. It is wonderful when a baby communicates with us to let us know what he/she needs.
Ladybirds
In the ladybird room (around 12-20 months) babies curiosity knows no bounds as they become mobile and able to explore the wider world around them. We provide a safe, interactive environment which aims to encourage babies to explore and build confidence in their abilities. Our staff work to complement the relationship that exists between parent and child and we actively encourage parents to be involved in the day care we provide.
Butterflies
Our Butterfly room runs from 16-26 months where our babies blossom as they begin to transition from baby to toddler. Each child’s character becomes more distinct and their capability for speech and learning grow rapidly. We encourage the children to express themselves through interactive play and gentle learning, building on the confidence and skill levels already achieved. Daily activities are designed to help the children become aware of the wider worlds both within the nursery and out in the local environment on supervised walks.