PIPS

PIPS

Babies from 3 months

We hope that your child’s journey starts here at Orchard Day Nursery until they are ready to make the big step to move on to school. Our rooms are set up to meet the needs of all children, nurturing all of their key stages through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

This starts with our baby room (Pips). Our starting point with you and your child will be to offer a home visit. The key person will visit you and your child at home to learn all about their individual daily routine, key information regarding health and well-being and to spend some time playing with your child.

Following on from the home visit, we offer an open ended introductory period to enable you and your child to settle in with us over a period of time. These sessions can be booked during times that are convenient to you and are normally for about one-two hours each time (although this can vary for each child) You are invited to stay with your child until you (and he/she) feels ready. This settling in period is offered to all children as they move from room to room throughout the Nursery.

Learning Journal

From your child’s very first day we will start to capture all those magical moments on camera and monitor their progress through our online learning journal ‘Famly'. You can log into your child's learning journal below:

A Day in the Life

Routine is an extremely important part of a baby’s life. In order to feel secure, confident and contented, a baby needs to know that what stands today will stand tomorrow.

Our routine is based around the same type of activities each day to accomplish continuity. A brief explanation of our day follows; (This timetable is only a guide as with babies it is not possible to be kept to the minute. Obviously meal times and nappy changing times, other than ‘extra’ nappy changes will be kept to).

As your baby grows, his/her daily routine will gradually change. Therefore we will need to be informed, on a regular basis, of these changes so we are able to adapt to suit their needs. Your baby’s key person should be informed of any changes, and will ensure that your instructions are carried out.

Our Typical Routine (although every day is different in our baby room as we follow individual routines)

8am Babies Arrive / Free Play

Breakfast is given to those who require it. Babies enjoy the continuous provision of toys and creative activities or ‘messy’ play.

9.50am Joining together time

Everyone sits together to sing songs, dance, listen to stories or do finger rhymes.

10am Snack time and Nappy Changes

Everyone sits together to enjoy a healthy fruit snack and babies have their nappies changed.

10.45am Outdoor Play

Babies are supervised while playing in our secure “Baby Garden” or playground. Sometimes babies may go for a walk in the buggies or will have the opportunity for physical play indoors if the weather is not so good.

11.45am Lunch Time

Everyone sits together to enjoy healthy home cooked lunches and puddings.

12.45pm Free Play and Nappy Changes

Continuous provision of toys and activities, babies have their nappies changed.

1pm Session Change Over

1.10pm Sleep / Quiet time & Free Play

Babies can have a sleep or a rest according to their individual routines or join in quiet relaxing activities.

2pm Free Play/Creative activity

Babies enjoy the continuous provision of toys and creative activities or ‘messy’ play.

3pm Outdoor Play

3.50pm Circle time

Everyone sits together to sing songs, dance, listen to stories or do finger rhymes.

4pm Tea Time

Everyone sits together to enjoy high-tea.

4.45pm – 6pm

Free Play, Nappy Changes and Home Time.

Continuous provision of toys and activities, babies have their nappies changed.

Details Of Your Child's Day Will Be On Famly

At the end of each session for your information and reassurance, you will receive details of your baby’s day on Famly. If your baby has meals during their session, your key person will assist your baby in feeding, then complete the appropriate box with details of what has actually been eaten.

You will receive a notification to view the details of your child’s day & this will also include their sleeps, nappy changes and any other notes

Personal Belongings

Although Orchard will provide all the bowls, spoons, bedding and bibs for your baby during their sessions, you will be required to provide a few of their personal belongings, such as bottles or beakers of juice/milk, spare clothing, nappies and wipes. As you can appreciate, we care for up to twelve babies a day and it can be difficult to find your baby’s cup or bottle amongst all the others unless it has a name on it to identify it as theirs. That is why we ask that you please mark all your baby’s belongings with a permanent marker to avoid confusion. If you would like any further advice on marking belongings, please feel free to discuss this with your child’s key person.