At Casterbridge we deliver the highest standards of Care & Education for all children who attend our nurseries, preschools, after school and holiday clubs. Our practice is delivered in accordance with a statutory framework called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which was established by the Department for Education and Skills (now the Department for Children, Schools and Families). The EYFS sets the standards for Learning, Development and Care for children aged from birth to five - all nurseries are required to deliver the EYFS Framework, so what makes us so different?

 

We have spent a number of years developing our own tailored approach to Care & Education. Whilst developing the Casterbridge Approach we spent time working alongside a wide variety of well established methodologies such as Reggio, High/Scope and Montessori. These approaches are extremely successful and are all to be respected on their own merits however in delivering them we recognised children enjoyed learning most when they were allowed to use their own curiosity and imagination to determine how and what they wanted to learn. 

 

Our nursery days are structured with routines and plans but where we are different is that we offer children choice in a variety of ways which encourages confidence and independence from an early age. We ensure through our staff team that they are supported to maximise the learning opportunities which they create for themselves. Our children learn and they really have fun when doing so. 

 

With this as a philosophy we also differentiate ourselves through:-

 

   

Our staff are by far the most important resource in our nurseries and preschools and we are aware of the impact they have on shaping and influencing a child’s progression. We always work to ensure our staff team are as happy as they can be and that they enjoy their day as much as the children in our care do. We understand how important it is to children and parents to have strong and trusting relationships with consistent carers.

  

The whole team have access to ongoing internal and external training to ensure they are constantly updating their knowledge of the best childcare practices. At Casterbridge we have a significant Training Support Team which includes a Head of The Casterbridge Academy, a Head of Training, two Regional Training Managers and six Internal Verifiers who are all there to ensure the whole team have the most up to date knowledge and skills. Our staff team are also given significant support from their Managers and Directors of Childcare.

  

  

  

Our nursery environments ensure that activities and resources support children to achieve the six Early Learning Goals - Personal, social and emotional development; Communication, language and literacy; Mathematical development; Knowledge and understanding of the world; Physical development; and Creative development.

 

In rooms where children can understand their environment, areas are separated and labelled through pictures and text. Many areas inter-link, e.g. role play and mark making areas work well together and staff review their environments regularly to ensure the children are getting the best out of this.  The outdoor environments not only consider the physical development of children but ensure that all areas of learning are being supported through a variety of resources and activities.

 

The emotional environment is supported by ensuring children have inviting cosy areas to relax or snuggle into. We also encourage a lot of photos, pictures and tape recordings from the home environment to reflect in the children’s environment at nursery.

 

 

  

All children who attend our nurseries have one Key Person who is primarily responsible for them while they are with us. Key staff at the nursery use children’s observations to plan for the following week’s activities, recording both adult led and child led activities and ideas.

  

To ensure opportunities are being offered in all areas of learning our staff also complete a medium term plan (on a quarterly basis) highlighting areas of learning which need to be further planned for and considered. Children’s long term needs are met through recording and assessing on their Individual Learning Records.

 

 

  

The contribution a family can make towards their child’s development whist they are at nursery is always greatly welcomed and fundamental in ensuring we work in partnership with parents to meet the needs of the children within our care. We very much see ourselves as an extended part of the child’s family and encourage parents to get as involved as possible. 

   

As a parent you know your child best. We work closely with you to ensure your child has the best possible experience at nursery and the most opportunities available to them. To support your child’s learning at nursery we encourage you to contribute to the weekly planning for your child by completing our unique “Family and Practitioner Planning Form” as and when you wish. This enables you the opportunity to submit information to your child’s key person about what they are involved in or enjoy outside of nursery. Our staff can then continue this learning and enjoyment with your child at nursery.

   

To ensure that parents have a voice, all our nurseries and preschools hold an established “Parent Nursery Association” (PNA) on a regular basis.  Each room in our nurseries has a parent representative who will be actively involved in the PNA and will act as a representative for parents within the nursery on other parent’s behalf.  We also run regular parent surveys to ensure that parents have an opportunity to give their feedback and views on a more formal level.

  

  

We look forward to welcoming you into our nursery community to experience how we provide the highest standards of care and education!