Baby Room
(under 2 years)

Our Baby Room is exclusively for babies and toddlers, from 3 months to 2 years of age.

We take great pride in our friendly, nurturing and happy Baby Room.
You child will need a rucksack with the following: Two sets of spare clothes / a hat, gloves and scarf in winter/ sunhat and sun cream in summer/ a rain coat for all weathers/ wellington boots -these can left at nursery. If your child is in nappies, we request that you either pack a few in their bag each session, or bring a pack in to keep here – you do not need to bring wet wipes unless you would like to use a specific make. Please pack any dummies or comforters your child may need. If your child needs milk during their time at nursery we request that you provide pre-sterilised bottles, and any breast/formula milk that they need. You will also need to bring your child’s lunch in a lunchbox.
The activities are planned by the room supervisor alongside ideas from the rest of the staff and usually follow on from observations. We strive to give the under two’s a wide variety of things to do which will not only occupy them and interest them but will further their development and help them to learn about the world around them.
We offer a range of activities, all focused around individual interests. One of our favourite activities is to explore paint, not only with brushes but with our hands and feet too! We also enjoy expressing ourselves through singing and dancing, using our music box full of props and instruments. We have lots of fun with sensory bottles and bags, offering a safe way to explore unusual textures such as shaving foam, crunchy cereal, and baked beans!
We provide breakfast between 08:00 – 08:30 , mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks and a light tea at 16:30pm. We offer a variety of breakfast cereals, toast or porridge. Snacks vary each day but may include; fresh fruit, cheese, cracker and fresh vegetables or warm tomato soup. An example of our light tea; a small portion of scrambled egg with toast, a yoghurt and fresh fruit. A visual snack list is available to view on the parents notice board in each room.
We will fulfil any dietary requirements, as per highlighted on registration form when your child starts. If there are any changes to your child’s dietary requirements during their time at nursery please notify us of these changes in writing.
Every child has their own key person; however, we feel that it is important that children build relationships with all staff working in the room with them.
We take 9 children, with a ratio of 1:3.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum – Click Here to Read

During their time in this room the children will be observed, photographs taken and work kept for their profiles. We track children’s development 3 times a year, and from this form next steps to their learning – we also send home nursery targets so that you as parents can be involved in your child’s nursery development too. All of this evidence builds up during their time at nursery and forms a basis for their foundation stage profile which is ongoing though their child’s pre-school life. This file can be seen at any time and discussed with your child’s key worker at any time.
At the end of the day staff will give you verbal feedback about your child’s day, alongside this each child has their own daily diary where staff write a small section about the activities children have taken part in, how long they have slept for, nappies, milk intake and what food they have eaten. The daily diaries can also be used by parents to let staff know what children have been up to at home.

A Typical Day in Our Baby Room

Everyday is different in the Baby Room, this is because we follow the child’s individual routine, and they can all be different. When a child starts in Baby Room, parents are invited to come in to meet the staff and talk about the child’s individual routine, we also have a page dedicated to this in the children’s daily diaries – whatever your child’s home routine we will follow it, this is how we create such a great home from home environment.

Many children fall into the same routine as their peers at around 15-18 months, where they often drop from two sleeps to one and are beginning to be interested in food at the same times. Because of this we have set food and sleep times for those children, our mid-morning snack is at 10:00, lunch is at 11:30 followed by a sleep, after this we sit together for mid-afternoon around 14:45pm, at 16:30 we have a light tea before home time.

Between these times we play with children, taking part in adult led activities/free play or exploring the outside area.

Meet the Baby Room Team

  • Aimee

    Deputy Manager, Baby Room leader (Full Time)

  • Jade

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

  • Louise

    Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Aimee

Deputy Manager, Baby Room leader (Full Time)

Aimee has worked at the nursery for nearly 10 years, 7 of which she has lead the Baby Room, and two years ago became a Deputy Manager.
As Room Leader, Aimee oversees an amazing team, she is responsible for the daily care of our youngest children, planning exciting and new activities for the babies, ensuring that all make developmental progress and thrive. Aimee is extremely proud of her role in the nursery, especially the home from home environment created in the Baby Room. As Deputy Manager she provides Lorraine and the Close Nursery Team with support daily.
When not at work Aimee enjoys time with family.

Qualifications

Level 3 Childcare
Designated Safeguarding Lead
WRAP Prevent Duty Trained
First Aid Trained
FGM Trained

Jade

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Jade has been working at The Close for nearly 6 years, she started in the pre-school room, shortly after moved into the Baby Room where she has been ever since.
Jade’s role within the setting is to provide a safe and enabling environment for the babies, supporting them with their well-being to ensure they feel safe and confident during their time here. She is a key worker and therefore plans effective activities to support their learning development, whilst working with parents.
When not at work Jade enjoys spending time with family and friends, in particular shopping, going out for dinner and keeping fit at regular gym classes.

Skills

BA Hons Early Childhood Studies
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
WRAP Prevent Duty
FGM Trained

Louise

Early Years Practitioner (Full Time)

Louise has nearly five years experience at nursery working in the Baby Room, she began as a student on placement whilst completing her level 3 qualification.
As a key worker in the Baby Room Louise’s role is to build positive relationships with the children and parents in her care, working closely with Aimee and Jade to ensure children’s safety and well being are a priority, as well as creating fun learning activities for all.
When not at work Louise enjoys spending time with family and friends and ‘hinching her home happy’.

Skills

Level 3 Childcare
Safeguarding
First Aid Trained
WRAP Prevent Duty Trained
FGM Trained