Nurturing Young Minds in Northolt

occurs very well in mixed age groups where children act as role models for others with fewer language skills. Toddlers grouped only with babies and other toddlers in childcare are exposed to a limited range of language skills. In family groups, the younger child is surrounded with language interactions of various levels and complexity, and as a result, may often develop language skills more rapidly than their peers in age group care.

settle more easily and feel secure with help from older children. The settled children help guide children who are new to the setting to learn what happens during the day, and in the process develop their own self-esteem and self-confidence. They model sharing and turn-taking for new or younger children. A less out-going child can relax and interact more comfortably with younger children.

do not have to compete for the same equipment as their play interests are often very different, and they tend to interact in more positive social ways. There is less aggression and more nurturing of others. Early years practitioners who have experienced both same and mixed age groups say toddlers are more apt to display negative behaviour when with other toddlers. This is because they are all asserting their independence and only just learning co-operation skills. In family groups children learn more positive behaviours from a wider age range of children.

is sometimes raised as a concern about family grouped settings, yet we believe babies in age group care have more to fear regarding aggression or injury from another baby or toddler than from an older child.

is also well provided for in a family grouped setting, since each child is able to play and learn at their own pace. Children learn to accept and respect others’ abilities and can themselves attempt any experience without embarrassment or a sense of failure. Older children are able to model appropriate play and problem solving to younger children while mastering and extending their own development. Older children also develop caring skills, empathy skills and development their communication more quickly that they would if they were in groups with peers of their own age only.

are not only for the children. Staff have a more varied and less stressful work day in the family grouped environment. The workload is evened out as the demands from different age groups varies. Staff and children can relate in different ways depending on the situation and age and stage of the child.

Another feature of family grouping that benefits all concerned is that there is no beginning or ending to each year. The evolving nature of family grouping and the continuous booking system that we have in place ensures that our programs operate smoothly all year round.

has many benefits to the children, families and the staff, and as this approach is based on the principle of consistency and continuity of care for children, it enables us to provide your child with an environment that they not only can feel safe and secure in, but one in which they can develop a sense of belonging.

Think of Democracy as a situation where everyone is treated equally and has equal rights.

Within all nursery’s it is important to support children’s personal, social and emotional development by giving them opportunities to develop their self-awareness and self-confidence. This should encourage them to make choices and decisions about what they want to explore and how they’re going to use the resources accessible to them.

As our team plan different days, we always ensure activities are child focused. Making sure everyone gets the equal opportunities, but also that the activities are tailored to individual interests.

Children at MayGardens are encouraged to choose an activity they would like to take part in. In turn, this helps us to create a ‘theme’ for the month, ensuring activities are enjoyable for everyone.

This is about understanding that rules matter.

Rule of law is about learning to manage their own feelings and behaviours as well as right from wrong. It’s about having children learning to behave within agreed and clearly defined boundaries and also dealing with any consequences that may occur.

To teach ‘Rule of Law’ ensure that children understand their own and others’ behaviours and its consequences and learn to distinguish right from wrong. Collaborate with children to create the rules and the codes of behaviour for example, agree the rules about tidying up and ensure that all children understand rules apply to everyone.

At MayGardens Little Learners Nursery, we incorporate British Values through our 5 golden rules :

Our Golden Rules include:

• Using their manners
• Sharing and Taking Turns
• Listening when others are speaking
• Playing nicely with toys and books
• Kind hands, feet and bodies

Each year, our children take part in choosing the above values as part of Individual Liberty (below).

For Individual Liberty, it’s important to focus on children’s self-confidence and self-awareness as well as people and communities.

Nurseries have a responsibility to help children to develop a positive sense of themselves. Every time we provide opportunities for children to gather wildflowers, mix their own colours for leaf painting or take part in a sack race, we are helping them to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and increase confidence in their own abilities.

Encourage a range of experiences that allow children to explore the language of feelings and responsibility, reflect on their difference and understand we are free to have different opinions.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance is where we learn to treat others as we want to be treated.

It’s important to teach children how to be part of a community, manage our feelings and behaviours and for relationships with others.

It’s important to create an ethos of inclusivity and tolerance where views, faiths, cultures and races are valued, and children are engaged with the wider community. Discuss similarities and differences between themselves, others and among families including discussing faiths, communities, cultures and traditions as well as share practices, celebrations and experiences.

Explain the important of tolerance behaviours such as sharing and respecting other’s opinions and promote diverse attitudes and challenge stereotypes. For example, share stories that reflect and value the diversity of children’s experiences and providing resources and activities that challenge gender, cultural and racial stereotypes.

It’s important for our Nursery to ensure we are promoting an understanding of the range of different religions, cultures and their celebrations from around the world. We usually do this by having the children participate in different activities including artwork, food tasting and dressing up.

The resources we provide at MayGardens are also reflective of all religions and cultures, ensuring everyone has something to play with.