The staff team at the nursery include qualified early years practitioners (BA Hons / FDA / N.N.E.B. / D.C.E. / BTEC / NVQ3 / or other), teachers and experienced nursery assistants. We also have students and trainee early years’ practitioners from time to time. All staff, students and trainees are subject to Ofsted and DBS checks. At the nursery we operate a system of key groups. This means that each child is allocated a key person (a member of staff) who is responsible for observing and recording progress, dealing with any problems that may arise, and catering for any special needs or requirements.

Other staff are also involved with your child, as everybody spends time daily with each other. The key group represents a focal point for your child and ensures that nobody is left out. Parents are encouraged to discuss their child’s progress and daily programme with their key person, and are free to contact them at any time.

All children will experience some anxiety when first being left in a new environment. Some children will adapt very quickly and without too much distress. However, other children will take a lot longer and will need more comfort and support. It is, therefore very important that children are given as much time as they need to settle in before being left at the nursery for a long period of time. Most of all we want your child to be happy. It often helps if a child brings along a familiar object from home. An initial meeting will be arranged with your child’s key person to discuss your child’s needs, any family matters pertinent to their care and to address any concerns you may have.

We have a small but welcoming unit for babies. We will endeavour to maintain a familiar routine for babies, allowing them to sleep or take feeds at their own times. Each child will have a daily plan drawn up in consultation between the parents and the key person. Depending on the age and stage of development of the child parents may wish to supply their own milk feeds or other foods. The individual needs of the child will be taken into account when organising activities, and it is hoped that as they get older they can adapt to the general routine before progressing into the next group at the nursery. A daily report will be sent home to advise parents on meals, sleep and toileting in addition to activities and any other information.

The nursery operates a policy of equal opportunities, which is seen as an integral part of the daily running of the nursery.

Jigsaw Day Nursery bases its values on the premise that all children, carers, staff and students are equal individuals and can be expected to be so treated, irrespective of race, gender, class, disability, cultural, linguistic or religious background. Children should be freely able to develop positive attitudes to differences of race, culture, language and gender during their time at the nursery. Jigsaw incorporates multi-cultural activities in all themes and encourages both genders in non-stereotype activities.

Jigsaw is happy to resolve any concerns or issues that parents may have concerning the nursery or the children. Management and staff will be only too happy to discuss them with parents at mutually convenient time. We look forward to seeing you and your child for a visit.

The nursery has a variety of large and small equipment for physical activities, including climbing apparatus and balance beam. Beanbags, hoops and balls for indoor use. Bikes, cars, scooters, prams and slide for outside play in the garden

This is for the older children, aged 3 years and above. They are taken for swimming lessons at the Canons Leisure Centre, which run during school term times only, with qualified swimming instructors provided by the centre. The lessons which are optional, currently run on Mondays and Tuesdays with is a small charge for the sessions.

French lessons are organised though Le Club Français, a company that comes into the nursery to take sessions with the children. These sessions are very enjoyable for the children and give them a good foundation in another language. The sessions are run on Wednesdays, and there is an additional cost for them.

In the nursery we follow different topics across the year. Activity plans are displayed so that you will know what we are doing, and if you have any items or information relative to the theme we would welcome your input. The children are encouraged to contribute in any way no matter how small it may seem. If the weather is fine, we may take the children out to places of interest, to the library, the city farm, to the common, or around the town - especially if relative to our topic work. In the summer we usually have a day trip to a country farm or zoo park. Apart from a walk to the park or shops, you are always notified.

At Jigsaw we actively promote healthy eating, serving fresh fruit and vegetables every day. The nursery has its own kitchen where the meals are prepared and cooked each day. We have an four week seasonal menu offering a healthy balanced diet. Vegetarian and religious preferences are catered for. Where a child requires a special diet due to medical reasons it will be strictly adhered to. Meals can be adapted to suit the younger children who are still weaning or may need pureed food. Breakfast is served to those who require it between 8.00-8.30 am. Mid-morning a drink and fruit is given. Lunch is served at mid-day and an afternoon snack at 3.30 to 4.00 pm.

Procedures are practised on a regular basis. This becomes a normal part of the children's routine at the nursery. There is no real disturbance to the children, they are made aware of the 'pretend fire', and we all leave the building together calmly and gather outside. We use the time as a learning resource without making the children fearful.

Jigsaw has a policy of Inclusion and as such the nursery will endeavour to accommodate any additional needs your child may have.  It may be necessary to liaise with other professionals involved with your child such as Health Visitor, Social Worker, and Speech Therapist or other; you will always be kept informed of any such action. Where a child has a limited or no experience of English it is helpful for the nursery to have some key words in the child's home language to assist them in communicating with the child.