Phoenix Montessori Nursery
27 Stamford hill
London N16 5TU
Tel: 0208 880 2550
Mob: 07977209777
NURSERY MANAGER Email:
Kelly Murphy Web site: www.Phoenix-nursery.com
Welcome to Blue class
Blue class is situated upstairs in the Nursery and is the base room for up to 9 babies. It is registered to take babies aged from 6 months. There may be a transition from Blue class to Red class; at the age of 12 and 15months, this will depend on the individual child and available space.
Staffing
The ratio of staff to baby is a minimum of 1:3.
The Room
Blue class is half carpeted and half vinyl, it is well resourced incorporating a book/home corner, mirrors, walking aided toys and play gyms. There are bright colourful wall displays and mobiles which the children help to create. The displays follow a theme lasting for approximately 4 / 8 weeks. There are three windows, allowing as much natural light as possible into the room. It is heated by radiators which are protected with child guards, all making a warm, friendly atmosphere for the babies to settle into.
We provide boards where information about the day’s activities & monthly themes are recorded.
The babies’ nappy room is connected to Blue class and is equipped with a wash basin. The babies’ nappies are changed on a changing mat which is on top of a changing unit. The changing mat is sterilised with Milton between each nappy change and blue couch rolls are used to cover the nappy changing mat. ‘The Nursery’ operates a nappy changing procedure. There are interesting mobiles and pictures in the room to interest the babies during nappy changing.
There are wall units which contain a variety of toys and equipment to encourage and assist the babies through their various stages of development. Besides stimulation, the babies receive a great deal of affection and love. Children’s individual requirements are met through a flexible routine.
All babies are individuals and are able to sleep when tired and play when feeling energetic. Dirty or very wet nappies are changed straight away, nappies are not left to the appointed times. Therefore, the attached daily routine is intended as a general guide.
Daily Routine
A rough guide to the routine is as follows:-
We have a daily routine, however this is subject to variation, depending the child’s individual needs.
· 8.15 – 8.55 Breakfast
· 8.00 – 9.00 Free Play
· 9.10 – 10:00 Altogether time ( Physical Play, outdoor play, singing and action games)
· 10.00 – 10.10 Registration (Daily Record of children and snack)
· 10:10 – 10:50 Free Play
The room is divided into four areas:
1. Book Corner
2. Messy play, Sand and Water
3. Arts & Crafts
4. Construction and Treasure basket or Heuristic play.
· 10:50 – 11:00 Tidy up time. This encourages the children’s self help skills and respect for their equipment and each other.
· 11.00 – 11.15 Story & Rhyme time
· 11.15– 12.00 Lunch
· 12:00 - 2:00 Sleep time
· 2:00-6:00 Altogether time ( Physical Play, outdoor play, singing and action games)
Free Play
Over the course of the session the children have their nappies checked and changed and they are encouraged to brush their teeth.
The afternoon session mirrors that of the morning, but the children are offered a different variety of activities and resources. The children who attend all day or a full afternoon have tea which is a light snack.
Sleeping
The babies sleep in cots and floor beds in the class room. The bedding is laundered on a weekly basis. When sleeping the babies are checked at fifteen minute intervals by the Nursery Nurses. The checks are recorded on a sleep monitor.
Drinks
The babies are offered cooled, boiled water regularly during the day. They have water or milk at snack and meal times.
Milk
Babies are fed their milk when they are hungry. With the majority of babies this tends to be morning, lunchtime and afternoon, but we will adapt to your babies needs. The options for formula milk are as follows:
Option one
· You provide the first bottle made up
· That for any further feeds you bring in bottles with the correct amount of water and a container for the powdered milk formula, which is measured out.
Option two
· Alternatively you can provide bottles (on a daily basis) along with cartons of formula milk
Babies one years of age; will placed on a beaker for milk time; please ensure you provide the staff with an additional beaker.
Weaning / Eating
The Nursery provides your child with all the meals for the day. All food is prepared and cooked on the premises by our cook.When your child is ready to be weaned please let the Nursery Nurses know and they will try to accommodate your routine, method and types of food you are using at home. Both before and after meals the babies have their hands and faces cleaned with disposable face wipes. We recommend weaning at 6 months.
Clothing
Please dress your baby in comfortable, easily removable, clothing, please do not place your child in Dungrees. You will need to provide at least three complete changes of clothes in case of leakages one way or other! ALL CLOTHING MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED and the best way to do this is with embroidered name tapes. (Available from ‘Name mark’).
In the winter your baby will need a coat/jacket, hat, gloves and an extra thick pair of socks/shoes for outdoor wear. In the summer your baby will need light cotton clothing, a sun hat and a named bottle/tube of sun block. Each child has their own peg to hang their belongings on or a box outside the room for spare clothing.
Nappies
You will need to bring a supply of nappies and wipes; the Nursery Nurses will inform you when they are running low.
A form will need to be completed for any creams you require staff to apply.
Comforts
If your baby has a special comfort, i.e. cuddly toy, blanket or dummy please bring it to Nursery. If baby does have a dummy please provide a dummy clip and a protective cover.
Teething
Babies suffer with teething in different ways, but they usually always dribble! Please can you provide two named "dribble bibs" when teething starts. If you wish you may leave some teething gel or powder for the Nursery Nurses to administer. A form will need to be completed.
Illness
If your baby is unwell enough not be able to cope with the normal Nursery day, then please keep them at home. If your child has an infectious disease then it is very important that you inform the Nursery and that the baby is excluded according to Nursery policy. Babies will only be re-admitted to the Nursery after an illness at the discretion of the Nursery Manager. If your baby becomes unwell during the day, one of the Parents/Carers will be contacted to arrange collection of the child as soon as possible. Gastroenteritis (sickness and/or diarrhoea) requires a full 48 hours clear of either sickness or diarrhoea before being accepted back into the nursery.
Medication
The Nursery is willing to administer medicine when necessary. You must complete a medicine authorisation form. These are available from Blue class staff members. Medication must be prescribed by a doctor. Calpol or parocetomol will not be administrated at the setting.
Accidents
Nursery records all accidents on an accident form. If your baby is hurt or injured in any way during the day an entry will be made on an Accident form and you will be asked to sign this form as a parent/carer acknowledging that you have been told about the accident.
If your baby has an accident at home we ask that you let the Nursery Nurses know. They will ask you to complete a home accident/injury form.
General information
Throughout the year the Nursery organises various social events and fundraising activities for all the children & their families to attend and participate in. These include a Christmas play, sports day, barbecue and a Summer fete.
You will be kept informed of any forthcoming events in the Nursery newsletter.
A photographer takes individual and group photographs every year. The individual photos are taken in March / April time. There is no obligation to order these photos.
All fundraising monies go towards purchasing extra toys & equipment for the children.
For the safety of the children we encourage all parents to enter the class room, which ensures the safety for all the children to be continuously monitored, this will also give you the opportunity to speak to your child’s key worker in a relaxed environment and to also have a look at our displayed work.
For the daily exchange of information, it is encouraged that parents/carers arrive BEFORE CLOSING TIME if they want to hear about their child’s day. As you can appreciate, it is a long day for the Nursery Nurses and they like to leave promptly.
The Nursery closes at 6.00 p.m. Monday to Friday. A fine system operates for the collection of children outside these hours. The initial fine is £5.00 per a minute. Please note the Nursery clocks are radio controlled so are extremely precise!
Check List of Items Needed for Blue class
Change of Clothes (x 3) ......
Comfort (i.e. dummy) ......
Coat, Gloves and hat ......
Shoes & slippers ......
Sun hat and sun cream ......
Nappies ......
Cream (if needed) ......
4 photographs of your baby .…....
Bottles of milk ......
Beaker ......
Plastic bib for meal times ......
We hope you and your baby will have a happy time in Blue class. If you have any concerns or problems then please share them – we are here to help.