Thurston Childcare

PreSchool

Are you looking for childcare, to care for your child with love and all-round personal attention? Then you've come to the right place! We provide a caring and warm-hearted family atmosphere for all children with fantastic facilities.  We have lovely provisions with an open and natural space, including the use of the Primary School grounds next door.  We aim to support your child's personal development and prepare children for the future. Visitors are always welcome, so please come and take a look for yourself. 

Thurston Childcare welcomes children from age 12 weeks to rising fives. We have 2 sites and are open 51 weeks of the year 7.30am - 6pm.

Hatchlings is situated on Cavendish playing field opposite the Church. It is a large , with an outside space and use of the playing field. This is our baby unit and we take children from 3 months to Rising 2 year olds. This setting was awarded by Ofsted 'Outstanding' in July 2022.

This setting has children from 3 months to 2 years, after which they progress to The Nest our two year old provision in preparation for Fledglings.

Care for children age 0-2 years

Our large and newly refurbished baby area is equipped with a wide range of play and sensory equipment. Our room is warm and nurturing environment where your baby can explore and learn. We have on offer a variety of resources that promote early learning through play, exploration and discovery. Your baby will have the opportunity to explore new and exciting experiences such as paint, water, sand, gloop and shaving foam.

We employ qualified baby practitioners who are skilled and experienced, able to meet the needs of young babies. We like to continue home routines wherever possible to help our youngest ones feel safe and secure.

The ‘key person’ system which operates across all settings is crucial in the baby room. A key person ensures continuity of care and allows staff to really to get to know your babies. We feel babies learn to be independent by having someone they can depend on, therefore a secure relationship with the key person is essential.

The key person is responsible for the baby’s routines, nappy changes and other individual needs. After a few weeks we will choose a key person based on who your child seems to have built the best relationship with.

We aim to offer a home from home provision and after continuous risk assessments and if deemed safe to do so, we may integrate babies with the toddlers if they wish. This is lovely for the younger and older children it allows our children to mix and perhaps allow siblings, cousins and older friends to solidify relationships.

We organise the day so that the children participate in both child led and adult led activities that aim to stretch their minds, language and ability. These take into consideration the individual needs of each child and their differing energy levels throughout the day.

All children have the opportunity for outdoor play which contributes towards their good health, physical development and knowledge of the world around them.

When it’s time for a well-earned nap, the babies have their own cosy sleep area which is peaceful and soothing. Comfy cots, fluffy blankets and calm music set the atmosphere for a lovely snooze. 

 Care for our two year olds at The Nest

The setting is divided into different areas, e.g. sensory, messy play, quite area, construction area and much more, the children are able to access the indoor/outdoor environment with doors leading to the garden area.

We have a ‘cosy’ reading area and a huge selection of age and stage related toys and resources. Our equipment is at a low storage level so that the children can choose freely when playing or selecting activities.

All children are encouraged to learn through play and children here are encouraged to share, interact and help their peers in activities such as tidying up, role play and story time. The children will also have access to the outside play area which includes an all, weather porch and a vast amount of play equipment. This adds to the bigger, bolder and different experiences can be had enhancing your child’s physical development. Covering all areas of the EYFS we aim to excite and stimulate your two year olds thirst for knowledge. As they begin to grow they are encouraged to make more choices whilst staff are on hand to assist with play and learning. Activities aim to develop the beginnings of social skills like sharing and playing with friends.

Fledglings is our new preschool building located next door to the new primary school. We take children aged 3 to rising 5's. We have a wonderful large garden and use of the school grounds.

We are currently a committee organised registered charity, with our committee overseeing the management of the preschool. 

Fledglings has good links with Thurston Primary School which ensures a smooth transition from preschool to school.  If you are coming from farther afield, we will also liaise with your child’s chosen school and provide support for an efficient transition.

As a charity our aim is to benefit our children, not to make money.  All monies raised from fees and fundraising goes directly back into the setting.

Our intention is to make our preschool genuinely accessible to children and families from all sections of both the local community and from farther afield.  We are Ofsted registered and our last inspection was May 2022 rated Outstanding.

It is our policy to ensure that our provision meets the needs of each individual child and family. As such, we take into account any special need that a child or family member may have.  We will support children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and those for whom English is an additional language.

Our large and brand new Preschool setting is equipped with a wide range of play and sensory equipment. Our room is vibrant and stimulating environment where your child can explore and learn. We have on offer a variety of different activities that promote learning through play, exploration and discovery. We make sure that we have experiences such as paint, water, sand on offer for every session. We make sure that we have experiences to manipulate/malleable activities, e.g. playdough, painting, water and sand play on offer for every session.

We employ qualified practitioners who are skilled and experienced, able to meet the needs of your children. Positive and strong relationships with members of staff which equals learning and development.

The ‘key person’ system which operates across all settings is embedded in our preschool. A key person ensures continuity of care and allows staff too really to get to know your children. The key person is responsible for the child’s care routines, nappy changes and other individual needs. The key person will also be responsible for completing Tapestry and termly reports. After a few weeks we will choose a key person based on who your child seems to have built the best relationship with.

The setting is divided into different areas, e.g. sensory, messy play, quite area, construction area, reading area and much more, the children are able to access the indoor/outdoor environment with double doors leading out to the garden area. The setting has a lovely large room and separate 1:1 room for our nurture groups. This is lovely for the younger and older children within in the setting and it allows our children to mix and perhaps allow siblings, cousins and older friends to solidify relationships. We have a ‘cosy’ reading area and a huge selection of age and stage related toys and resources. Our equipment is at a low storage level so that the children can choose freely when playing or selecting activities.

 Thurston Childcare Zoom our Before and After School Club

We provide Ofsted registered childcare which is before school and after school, we operate out of Thurston Church of England Primary Academy. Thurston Childcare, Before and After School Club has been incorporated into Thurston Childcare it began from September 2014 - this brought an exciting opportunity for before and after school care in a classroom and the school grounds.   This brings great benefits:

*Additional wrap around care will be available through a Breakfast Club and After School Club

*Children will be chaperoned to the Thurston Primary School Academy classroom at the collection point from Thurston Primary School Academy by Thurston Childcare staff.