Day Nursery – Second Steps

Childcare Durham

Our Day Nursery

The nursery is open 52 weeks a year except for Public Holidays.

We are open Monday to Friday from 7am – 7pm, it is hoped that these times will be convenient for working parents.

Ofsted Registered

We are registered with Ofsted and have strong links with them to help us be the best in our field that we possibly can.
We are linked with the local Children’s Centre who offer us support and visit us on request.
We are members of the Pre School Learning Alliance who are also a great source of information and knowledge to help us to succeed.
You are very welcome to visit our nursery where you will be shown around all age groups by the deputy manager or/and room leader.
We are happy to email our prospectus for your perusal, or you can collect one when you visit.

To ensure your child’s happiness and well being on his or her first day, we encourage you to spend time settling them into the setting, this process can be as long or short as you wish, depending on your child’s individual needs.

Setting In

In this time you and your child can establish a relationship with your child’s key person, whereby you will spend time completing your child’s All About Me booklet. During this time we will establish your child’s starting points of development, discuss your family culture and background, including languages spoken at home. We will share with you information relating to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which is our guidance in completing your child’s learning journey.

On this visit you must return your child’s registration forms if you haven’t already done so along with the registration fee. (if applicable).
We value you as parents of the children we care for, and understand that leaving your child with us may be a major step to you and your family; therefore feel free to phone during the day to speak with a member of staff to find out how your child has settled.

Age Groups

Ladybirds: 0-2's

this room is spilt across two room and each room can hold 12.

Staff within the room have good experience with this age group and are able to settle each child into nursery so they are happy in the home from home environment we offer. Our aim is to provide a friendly and caring atmosphere in a homely environment.

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Butterflies: 2-3's

this room has its own free flow garden and can hold 16 children.

This room is a stimulating environment for the children to learn and develop skills through following The Early Years Foundation Stage. The staff aim to develop the children to their full potential at a pace that Is suitable to the child, with consideration given to the parent’s wishes.

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Pre-school: 3-5's

is spilt over two rooms and can hold up to 32 children, with access to 2 side gardens.

The children are able to visit local parks, the library and go for walks whilst at nursery.

Get Started

We keep all of the nursery’s policies and procedures in a folder in the foyer, these are updated on a regular basis.

Our Procedures

Parents are asked to read these during settling in sessions and copies are e mailed on request.
If you have any questions please contact us so we can help you.

Meal times

Parents are asked to read these during settling in sessions and copies are e mailed on request.
If you have any questions please contact us so we can help you.

Breakfast time is from 7.30 am – 8.00 am this meal consists of a variety of cereals, toast, fresh fruit, yoghurt and a drink.
Morning snack is at 10.00 am the children will have a drink of milk/water with a healthy snack.
Lunch time is at 12.00 noon the menu for this meal is enclosed with in the prospectus, and changes throughout the year depending on likes/dislikes of the children and availability of product.
Afternoon snack is at 2.00 pm the children will have a drink of milk/water with a healthy snack.
Tea time is at 4.00 pm the menu for this meal is enclosed with in the prospectus, again this will change throughout the year.
Water is available throughout the day for children to access freely.

Learning Journeys

Each child has a learning journey which is compiled using various methods of observation and tracking.
Practitioners are able to add observations and photos of the children. These will be added primarily by each child’s key person who will be following their progress and development.
Parents/carers will be able to add their own observations that they witness at home to aid their child’s learning and development. This can be done by completing a parent wow/key moment.
The child’s key person will complete next steps alongside their learning journey to help support progression throughout their time at nursery.
The key person and manager will liaise with outside agencies if they feel the child will benefit from an outside professional guidance and support in area’s regarding speech and language or behaviour and any other additional needs.
For more information speak to your child’s key person, room leader or nursery manager.

Discipline

At Second Steps children are encouraged to respect the needs of others and to develop self-discipline.

They are praised for their achievements and discouraged from unwanted behaviour.

When a child needs to be corrected, staff explain the situation and why it is not acceptable behaviour and then support the child/children as a group.

We have a Positive Behaviour Policy which all staff are aware of and follow.