Welcome to Little Hoots Nursery, where we provide a happy, safe, and nurturing environment for children to begin their learning journey. Ms Baylis and Mrs Cadogan are our Nursery Teachers and are supported my Miss O'Brien and Miss Ault. Our experienced and caring staff work closely together to ensure every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them.
Through a play-based approach, children enjoy a wide range of activities including storytelling, creative play, outdoor learning, and early exploration of numbers and language. Our team is passionate about helping children develop confidence, independence, and a love of learning while building strong relationships with families.
Little Hoots Long Term Plan
Termly Overviews
Our termly overviews give families a snapshot of the exciting learning taking place in Nursery each term. They outline our main topics, key activities, and the skills children will be developing through play, exploration, and creative experiences. These overviews help parents see how learning develops across the term and how they can support their child at home.
Reading
"Children are made readers in the laps of their parents and carers" - Emilie Buchwald
Just 10 minutes of reading to your child everyday can help your child grow into a happy, confident learner.
Follow this link for some useful information about reading with your child.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/making-time-for-books-at-home
To help find the best books to read with your child, follow this link for the Book Trust's list of the best books for 0-5 year olds.
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/1/100-best-0-5/
For Top Tips on how fostering a love of reading, have a look at this docmuent produced by Book Trust
Phonics
In Little Hoots we follow the School's phonic scheme - Twinkl Phonics. Pre-School and Nursery Phonics focuses on pre-reading skills. These include speaking and listening skills, being able to distinguish the sounds they hear, and patterns of speech and speech sounds. Level One Phonics is split into seven aspects, we plan large and small group actvities to support the children in practicing skills from each aspect.
Tapestry
At our Nursery, we use Tapestry, a secure online learning journal, to record and celebrate children’s learning and development. Our staff regularly upload photos, observations, and short notes to share the activities children have been enjoying and the progress they are making.
When your child starts Nursery, you will be provided with login details for Tapestry, allowing you to access your child’s learning journal through the app or website. This enables you to see special moments from their Nursery day and stay connected to their learning and development.
Parents and carers are also encouraged to share their own photos, comments, and achievements from home. This helps us build a fuller picture of each child’s experiences and strengthens the partnership between home and Nursery as we support every child’s learning journey.
Useful Websites
Simple fun activites for children from newborn to five
https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/
Tiny Happy People is here to help you develop your child's communication skills. Explore our simple activities and play ideas and find out about their amazing early development
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
Top-tips, online books and activities to support early reading
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/
Your first stop for information about children's communication
http://ttps://ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point
New Starters
We are delighted to welcome new children and families to Little Hoots. Starting Nursery is an exciting milestone, and we work closely with parents and carers to ensure that each child settles in happily and confidently.
Before your child begins, you will receive our 'Welcome to Little Hoots' booklet, which contains important information about daily routines, what your child will need to bring, attendance and how we support children during their first few weeks.
Our staff are always happy to answer any questions and support families during this transition. We look forward to getting to know you and your child as they begin their journey with us.
Nursery Attendance Expectations
Children attending the nursery are expected to be present for all sessions that have been booked. Regular attendance is essential to support children’s learning, development, and routine. Where a child is persistently absent without valid reason, the school may be required to review the child’s nursery place. Continued failure to attend booked sessions may result in the withdrawal of funded hours, in line with local authority and national early years funding guidance.
Parents and carers are expected to inform the school of any absence as early as possible on the day of the session. Absences should only occur for legitimate reasons such as illness, medical appointments, or exceptional family circumstances.
Attendance Following Vaccinations
For health and safety reasons, children must not attend nursery on the day or the day immediately following receipt of vaccinations. Recently vaccinated children may require close monitoring for potential side effects, such as fever or discomfort, and the nursery environment is not suitable for this level of individual observation. Children may return once they are well and no longer require enhanced monitoring at home.