Available sessions
We are open 38 weeks of the year and we offer full day and school day sessions.
8.30am - 5.00pm (full day)
8:45am - 3:00pm (school day)
Option of additional Easter and Summer holiday club sessions
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Like all nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in the UK, Puddleducks Nursery is legally obligated to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. We are committed to ensure that your child gets the best possible start in life.
Promoting children’s curiosity and imagination
We believe that promoting children’s curiosity and imagination is incredibly important at Puddleducks Nursery. We help children to take responsibility for their learning in a nurturing environment where they are safe, cared for and valued.
Child's Voice
We believe that giving children a voice promotes their self esteem and self worth. We give children a voice through choice, enabling them to express their opinions, feelings and emotions. In this way, children develop and learn that they are important and valued. Feeling valued plays a large role in how a child learns. In order for them to play and explore, actively learn and critically think, they need to feel confident in their environment and have the knowledge that their voice and way of explorations will be recognised and noted.
Government Funded Child Places
Accommodation and facilities
We are very fortunate to rent our wonderfully spacious premises from the local branch of the Royal British Legion, for our sole use.
Our indoor spaces comprise of a large and bright main hall for our Ducks and Diddy Ducks (27 children with 5 staff), and a separate smaller classroom for our Ducklings group (9 children with 3 staff).
We have 2 separate outside play areas; one suitably equipped for children aged 1-3 years, the other is equipped with additional physical challenges for children aged over 3
The children play outside daily come rain or shine!
We have a well-equipped modern kitchen, refurbished toilets with sensor taps for independent handwashing, and separate disabled/staff toilet facilities and 2 nappy changing areas.
We also have an office, cloak room areas for children’s coats, plenty of storage space and a cosy staff room for the staff to take their well-deserved lunchbreak
Outdoor play is highly valued and prioritised as an integral part of the exciting educational programme at Puddleducks Nursery.
A-Z of Puddleducks Nursery
If you would like more information, email us to request a copy of our Puddleducks A-Z which details everything you need to know about starting Puddleducks!
Safeguarding
Puddleducks ensures that children have a safe, positive environment where they can learn and develop. It is also the duty of the Trustees to ensure that all staff and volunteers:
- are committed to children’s well-being and safety
- are clear about their responsibilities to safeguard and promote children’s welfare
- know the procedures for highlighting any concerns
- have appropriate guidance and training to undertake their role
ALL staff are DBS checked and registered for the update service.
Sick Child and Medication Policy
To prevent cross infection, staff members, volunteers or children suffering from illness or infection should not attend Puddleducks Nursery. We do not provide care for children who are unwell, have a high temperature, or sickness and diarrhoea, or who have an infectious disease. This is in line with the Health Protection Agency’s ‘Guidance on Infection Control in Schools and other
Childcare Settings’.
Puddleducks adopts a 48-hour rule for sickness and diarrhoea. This means that children and staff cannot return to Puddleducks until 48 hours after their last bout of sickness and/or diarrhoea. Children’s nappies and toilet visits will be individually monitored. If a child is displaying obvious sickness and diarrhoea they will be sent home. If a child informs us they have been sick in the night and we are concerned, we will contact the parent/carer to see if this is the case and if necessary, ask the parent/carer to come and collect their child. If a child complains of feeling sick or having stomach pains, we will use our judgement as to whether it is necessary to contact the child’s parents/carers.
Parents/carers are advised to consult Puddleducks before returning their child after illnesses such as chickenpox or refer to our Puddleducks Playgroup A-Z on infectious illnesses.
Covid-19
Puddleducks is responsible for planning and implementing appropriate protective measures to reduce coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission. We will follow all the published public health advice for early years settings and the processes that should be followed if any staff or children develop coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms at Puddleducks. We are very mindful that the safety and welfare of the staff, children and their families must be our utmost priority. With this in mind, precautions and procedures to minimise the risks to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Puddleducks are in place. We will adhere to all Government advice and guidelines, which change frequently.
Food and Drink Policy
Puddleducks ensures that children are provided with healthy, balanced and nutritious meals, snacks and drinks, during their time with us. We provide two snacks per day (mid-morning and mid-afternoon). There is a voluntary £1 per day charge for each snack.
Morning snack is crudités, breadsticks and cheese and a healthy homemade dip which the children have helped to prepare (i.e. guacamole/cheese and chive dip) and afternoon snack is salad, pasta/cous cous salad, bread and homemade tomato and vegetable soup (which again the children have helped to make).
Children have a choice of milk or water to drink and individual water bottles/jugs of fresh drinking water are also available on request throughout the day.
Children are reminded and encouraged to drink water throughout the day, especially after physical/outdoor play or on hot days
Children are provided with a hot lunch each day which is cooked at and collected from Chalford Hill Primary school (provided by Caterlink). The meals are nutritionally balanced and we cater for any special dietary requirements
Behaviour Policy
Puddleducks Nursery believes that everyone has the right to enjoy their session without fear of being hurt or unfairly restricted by anyone else. We ensure every child is aware of the boundaries and rules that should be followed. Staff support the children, and ensure every child is listened to and understands who they can turn to for help.
We aim to provide an environment that promotes acceptable behaviour and where children are able to learn to respect themselves, other people and the environment and equipment. We believe that promoting positive behaviour is important within our community, as it leads to social and moral acceptance and helps children form relationships, have self-esteem, personal pride, and a positive outlook.