Rossett House Nursery. Parent Prospectus Pack. ‘An inspired approach to childcare and early education.’
1 ▪ A letter from the Director ▪ Our Statement of Purpose ▪ Information on the childcare rooms ▪ Information about our outdoor environment ▪ A sample menu ▪ Quality assurance information ▪ Awards we have ▪ Testimonies from parents ▪ Pricing list ▪ A registration form ▪ Best practice identified in our setting Inside you will find: Croeso.
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3 Dear Parent Thank you for requesting information on Rossett House Nursery. Rossett House was opened in 1997 and very quickly developed a reputation for providing a high standard of care and early years’ education. At Rossett House we are totally committed to providing the children in our care with a safe, secure, clean and stimulating environment whilst providing parents with peace of mind. We believe passionately in working in partnership with parents so that there is as much continuity of care for each child as possible. We also try very hard to ensure that every child is provided with the care and support that he or she needs to promote his or her development and well being. Through establishing a strong relationship with parents, regular informal discussions, and questionnaires, we continually monitor parents’ views on our provision. This enables us to ensure that we are providing the highest possible standards. We are committed to a rigorous quality assurance programme and we have achieved numerous prestigious awards as well as excellent reports from Estyn and the Care Inspectorate for Wales. We are proud of these achievements as they are independent recognition of our high standards. We were the first nursery in Wales to achieve a Level 3 Quality Assurance Kitemark from the National Day Nurseries Association. This is described by the NDNA as ‘an exceptional level of quality’. A list of the awards we have achieved is enclosed in this pack. In 2007 we were very proud to be named NDNA UK Day Nursery of the Year. In 2024 we won the Leader Live Education Award for Early Years Education and we became the first nursery in Wales to be accredited with Tiny Tums in meeting the nutritional needs for babies under 1 years of age. Further testament to our high standards is the very high percentage of parents who recommend us to friends and family. We pride ourselves in developing staff knowledge of best practice. This is kept up to date through sourcing a variety of training opportunities and working closely with training providers. Rossett House Nursery operates under Active Childcare Ltd to ensure that the highest standards are maintained within the nursery and so that the routine administration etc is carried out efficiently and effectively, whilst leaving the management team within the nursery to concentrate on provision for the children. I hope that you find this pack interesting and that you will visit the nursery. Melissa and Sarah, the managers of Rossett House will happily show you around and answer any questions you may have. If I can be of any help please do not hesitate to contact me. Yours sincerely, Rebecca Mottram Managing Director
4 Rossett House Nursery Statement of Purpose And Mission statement Working together – a partnership in excellence. We aim to: ▪ Ensure that every child’s safety and well-being are paramount and override all other considerations. ▪ Create a friendly, safe, comfortable and stimulating environment. ▪ Provide broad, balanced and quality learning experiences through appropriate active learning. ▪ Promote a partnership between home and nursery and create opportunities for links with the receiving primary school. ▪ Respect that children will have an individual path of development and learning and provide appropriate opportunities to help each child’s potential to be achieved. ▪ Promote happiness, a love of, and an excitement for learning. ▪ Value and respect all individuals for their own qualities, differences and achievement. ▪ Allow all children to have the opportunity for self-expression. ▪ Provide excellence in care and early years’ education. ▪ Provide children with the benefits of current research relating to children’s health, wellbeing and development. ▪ Support the training and development of professionals in various fields related to children.
Document Title 5 Additional information for parents considering applying for a place for their child Registration Information It is a requirement that providers of day care for children under the age of twelve are registered. Rossett House Nursery is registered with the Care Inspectorate for Wales to provide care for a total of 68 children under the age of twelve at any one time. Opening hours The nursery is open Monday to Friday between 7:30am and 6:00pm. The nursery is closed at weekends, on UK public holidays, and closes at 4.00pm Christmas Eve and re-opens 7.30am on 2nd January (where these dates are week days). Management Rossett House Nursery is operated by the company Active Childcare Ltd. The Responsible Individual for Rossett House Nursery is Rebecca Mottram. She has a Foundation Degree in Early Years, a Level 5 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development (CCLD) Advanced Practice, Level 5 CCLD Management and an NVQ L4. It is Rebecca’s responsibility to ensure that this document is regularly reviewed and that CIW are informed of any changes to the service provision. Other members of the nursery management team and Persons In Charge are Melissa Shaw and Sarah Lloyd-Williams. Both Melissa and Sarah have worked at Rossett House for many years and hold many qualifications that include, for example, CCLD Level 5 Diploma in Advance Practice, Paediatric First Aid, First Aid at work, Safeguarding and food hygiene qualifications. They are committed in ensuring that the children who attend the nursery receive meaningful, fun and challenging experiences whilst having their physical, developmental and emotional needs met, within a stimulating, safe and secure environment. Administration, finance and marketing operations are undertaken at Active Childcare Ltd. Language through which care is provided The primary language through which care is provided at Rossett House Nursery is English. Some staff speak Welsh and we are happy to discuss with parents how we can support children who are bi-lingual or whose primary language is Welsh. As part of our provision we introduce the children to basic Welsh vocabulary. We are also happy to discuss with parents any particular needs of children for whom English is an additional language. Children with additional needs or disabilities Rossett House Nursery is committed to a policy of inclusion. We aim to provide equality of access and opportunity to all children wherever we reasonably can. In some cases such provision might require specialist training, one-to-one support and/or special equipment and resources provided by or funded by external sources. Where such resources are not available, it may not be possible for us to provide specialist provision. Parents of children who have particular needs are welcome to discuss such needs with the manager. A detailed Additional Learning Needs policy is in place and parents are encouraged to read this. Admissions policy We are committed to equality of access and opportunity. Nursery places are allocated to children regardless of gender, ethnicity or culture. Our ability to accommodate new admissions is governed by the availability of a place within the appropriate childcare room and us meeting the appropriate adult/child ratio for the child’s age. Should a place be available in the appropriate room it will be allocated in order of date of application and payment of the appropriate fees or confirmation of agreed external funding (subject to restrictions contained in the Admissions Policy). The nursery operates a minimum booking of two sessions per week. Before starting nursery it is usual for children to visit and have settling in sessions. The nature, length and number of such sessions is dependent on the needs of the individual child. The nursery manager will discuss this with parents/carers.
6 Activities provided for children Activities are planned to meet the developmental needs of children. In planning activities, we take account the current guidance and frameworks in Wales that are in place for the Early Years and set out by the Welsh Government. Activities are varied and staff are actively involved in playing and interacting with the children. The children also enjoy looking after our nursery pets which include Shelly the tortoise, stick insects and an African Land snails. When you look around the nursery you are welcome to look at the activity planning for each age group. Staffing Our staff are well qualified and trained to a high standard. All of our staff undertake regular and continual training in various areas such as Child Protection, Food Hygiene and First Aid as well as professional vocational qualifications. This training includes Diplomas in Childcare, Team Leading and Customer Care. In addition, other training is undertaken based on specific nursery or individual staff needs and interests. The normal staff : child ratios within which we work are: 0 – 2 years 1:3 2 – 3 years 1:4 3 years plus 1:8 Routines Children’s routines are guided by their individual needs and parental wishes. For example, babies’ routines are discussed with parents prior to the child joining the nursery and an individual care plan is compiled by parents and nursery staff. Through detailed and careful discussion with parents we find out as much as possible about the needs and routines of the children and use this to guide their care at nursery. Where necessary, care plans are updated regularly as the child develops and his or her needs change. As children become older, whilst continuing to respect and meet their individual needs, we progressively introduce a number of routines for them. For example, they sit together in small groups for meals at given times, and we have group story times, talk times and music and dance Contact information Rossett House Nursery Llay Road Rossett Wrexham LL12 0HT 01244 571872 [email protected]
7 Registration and collection of children When children arrive at nursery, their time of arrival is recorded on the room register. If children are to be collected by someone other than the parent/carer we require authorisation from the parent/ carer. When children are collected, information about their day will be shared with parents/carers in a number of ways such as baby diaries, notice boards and discussion with key workers and other staff. Complaints In the event of any concern over the quality of provision or any complaint, parents/primary carers should raise the matter with a member of the management team, who will seek to resolve the matter. Should any concern not be addressed satisfactorily it may be referred in writing to Rebecca Mottram at the nursery address. If the concern is still not resolved or at any other time it may be referred to the Care Inspectorate for Wales (CIW), Welsh Assembly Government Offices, Sarn Mynach, Llandudno Junction, LL31 9RZ. Telephone number: 0300 7900 126. A copy of our full complaints procedure is held in our policy file at the nursery and on the parent notice board. Nursery policies We have a comprehensive policy file covering all aspects of procedure and nursery routine. Parents are encouraged to read these policies. Emergencies In the event of an emergency, we have procedures to ensure that we respond quickly and appropriately. Should a child require first aid, they will be attended to by a first aid trained practitioner. In the event that a child has a major injury an ambulance will be called to transfer them to hospital. In the event that a parent or carer is unable to accompany them, a practitioner will go with them to hospital. If it is necessary to evacuate the building, (for example in the event of a fire) we will contact the emergency services and immediately follow our well- rehearsed evacuation procedures to ensure that all children and adults exit the building to the assembly point and are accounted for. Our accident, emergency and evacuation procedures are detailed in our Policy File. Review of Statement of Purpose This Statement of Purpose will be reviewed annually. Between reviews it will be revised whenever changes occur. The next planned review date is April 2026.
8 Activities and Care within Rossett House Nursery Babies Our baby rooms are lovely bright areas, furnished and equipped to a high standard to provide comfort and stimulation for our youngest children. Each child’s individual needs and routines including sleep and meal times are respected and the staff work closely with parents to ensure that wherever possible, there is continuity of routine between home and nursery. Before babies start nursery, parents are encouraged to visit the nursery to discuss their child’s individual routines and needs with the staff and to agree a care plan. All of the children in the baby room are given lots of individual attention during the day by our friendly and caring staff. Parents are provided with verbal information about their child’s day and this is supplemented by the daily diary that is taken home at the end of each day. This diary provides information about feeding, activities, nappy changes and any other significant events. We also compile a detailed on-going developmental record for every child so that all of those special moments are recorded. Activities are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children and include a wide range of sensory experiences. Outside, the babies have access to our lovely grounds so that they can enjoy the fresh air. Within the baby room activities typically include heuristic play, music (banging & bashing as well as songs, rhymes and listening), messy play, ball pool play, paint activities, baby book time and loads of cuddles. Our baby rooms provide a wealth of opportunities for babies to explore the world around them supported by well qualified, caring and committed staff.
9 Toddlers Our toddler room is a lively and stimulating environment, planned to offer the activities that children need and enjoy as they become increasingly mobile. The emphasis here is very much on active fun, where children continue to explore the world around them and develop increasingly their communication skills. In the toddler room, children build upon the skills they have developed within the baby room. Our toddlers enjoy activities such as jigsaws, creative play, dressing up and role play, ride on toys and tricycles, climbing and outdoors play, early mark making, construction, story time, music, sand play and water play. Our wonderful outdoor facilities are used extensively by the toddlers to support their developing physical and intellectual skills as they explore the rich and fascinating environment. Activities are planned to encourage the children to develop physically, intellectually and socially. Staff provide parents with daily feedback about their children’s day and they keep detailed developmental records which parents are welcome to see at any time. Parents are also encouraged to contribute to these records.
10 Pre – school Our pre-school room is designed to provide our older children with a wealth of experiences and opportunities that promote the new curriculum for Wales. Children in the pre-school are encouraged to develop independence as they enjoy the wide variety of activities available. The activities are carefully planned to encourage all children to build progressively on their prior knowledge, skills and understanding within a fun and caring environment where every individual is important. Within this action packed area, the children are able to participate in activities such as story time, construction, painting and model making, sand and water play, small world toys, sorting and counting games, music making and singing, outside play including wheeled toys, climbing, running and jumping. The list goes on and on. In addition, to the nursery based activities, children enjoy trips to various places such as the local Library and Gresford Quarry which offer some specifically focussed learning opportunities. Alongside trips we welcome visitors into the setting such as promoting intergenerational visits with local elderly residence. The activities are planned to provide a balance between those related to a theme chosen by the children and through the interests of the children, that are observed within the setting. Children enjoy activities that are designed to inspire them and stimulate their interest to make the most of learning opportunities. For example, through the garden theme, they plant seeds and bulbs, look after the growing flowers, measure their growth, listen to associated stories and sing associated songs, observe the development of butterflies and finally release their fully developed butterflies into the wild. As with other age groups detailed developmental records are maintained by each child’s key worker. These are always available for parents who are encouraged to contribute to them. Our talented pre-school staff receive extensive training to enable them to meet the developmental needs of each individual child. The pre-school is a wonderful place to be that fosters children’s natural curiosity and embeds a love of learning.
11 Mini Village and Playground The concept of the mini village was developed so that children can experience real life scenarios and engage in role play that supports them in making connections in the world around them. For example, the children can work in the builder’s yard, go for lunch in the cafe and visit the post office or take their car to the car wash, before going home. Our mini village has been praised by inspectorates and visitors from around the UK and the world. Alongside the mini village there is an extensive tarmac and safety service area that allows plenty of opportunity to run, jump, climb, ride bikes and trikes and balance as the children walk over the wooden bridge! Orchard and Grillkota 8 established apple trees can be found growing in our orchard as well as it being home to Shelly, our infamous tortoise. The orchard is loved by all our children and offers an abundance of opportunities to explore the natural world. Next to the orchard stands our Grillkota and mud kitchen. The children enjoy making culinary creations from natural resources and the Grillkota offers a unique area for children to observe the changes in the seasons. Allotment and Field Our fielded area offers plenty of room for fun and games, including hosting sports day for the preschool children. An allotment or ‘veg patch’ can be accessed from here, where it offers the children opportunities to grow their own vegetables from seeds and then harvest during Autumn. The low flower beds are ideal for digging and planting and children are encouraged to recycle food waste in our composter. A bug hotel can be found here and the children love investigating the different types of mini beasts that have made this their home.
12 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Breakfast A choice of Cereal with warm milk or Porridge (All breakfast options served with either raisins or banana) Milk/ Water A choice of Cereal with warm milk or Porridge (All breakfast options served with either raisins or banana) Milk/Water A choice of Cereal with warm milk or porridge (All breakfast options served with either raisins or banana) Milk/Water A choice of Cereal with warm milk or porridge (All breakfast options served with either raisins or banana) Milk/Water A choice of Cereal with warm milk or porridge (All breakfast options served with either raisins or banana) Milk/Water Morning Snack 3 Choices of fruit Milk/Water 3 Choices of fruit Milk/Water 3 Choices of fruit Milk/Water 3 Choices of Fruit Milk/Water 3 Choices of fruit Milk/Water Lunch Beef Pasta Bolognaise Garlic bread and green beans Banana and Custard Water Homemade pizza New potatoes, beans Fruit cocktail Water Spicy chicken Couscous & Farmhouse Vegetables Milk Jelly Water Chunky Bean and vegetable Goulash Mix of brown and white rice Rice pudding with Sultanas Water Fish Pie Cabbage and Leek Tropical fruit with crème fraiche Water Fruit snack Choice of fruit Choice of fruit Choice of fruit Choice of fruit Choice of fruit Light Tea Baked beans with cheese & brown bread Milk/Water Tuna & Sweetcorn Sandwiches on Granary bread with cucumber Milk/ Water Crackers with cheese cubes & carrot sticks Milk/Water Vegetable crudites with toasted bagel & houmous dip Milk/Water Homemade tomato & Lentil soup & bread roll Milk/Water Meal Times Meal times are a social experience where children are given an unhurried time to enjoy their meal, whilst sitting with friends. Our 4 weekly, seasonal menus have been carefully planned to ensure children are offered a variety of healthy and nutritious meals. We are proud to have been part of the Tiny Tums initiative, from the beginning, which means our menus have the approval of dieticians. Our varied menus have been designed to encourage children to try new foods and develop healthy eating habits. We are able to cater for a variety of dietary needs, so please speak to us if this would be the case for your child. The menu below is an example menu of the types of meals we offer.
13 Quality Assurance The quality of our provision is of paramount importance to us. We provide care and education well beyond the norm to ensure that children in our care benefit from the highest standards. Why? Because your child deserves the best that can be provided. Active Childcare settings are all committed to quality provision, with Rebecca, the Director being proud to be an invited member of the Welsh Government Education working group representing early years childcare to develop curriculum guidance for ALL childcare providers in Wales, as well as being an invited member of the Quality Framework Early Childhood Education and Care Working Group that is developing the very first whole sector Quality Framework for Wales. We have a history of quality and consistent high standards with sector leading and best practice recognised, resulting in the inspectorate body Estyn publicising examples of our best practice. At Active Childcare we have a long history of receiving external awards – this is testimony to our commitment to providing the very best experiences for children within a safe and secure environment. The statements below offer examples of our longstanding commitment to Quality Assurance. ▪ In 2001 our Rossett House Nursery was the first nursery in Wales to be awarded the Quality Counts quality assurance kitemark. ▪ We have achieved the Investors in People accreditation 4 times. ▪ In 2005, Little Scholars Nursery was awarded the Investors in Children kitemark and a level 2 quality assurance award from the National Day Nurseries Association. ▪ In 2005 Little Scholars Nursery was runner up in the UK NDNA Day Nursery of the Year Awards. ▪ In 2005 Little Scholars Nursery received the Jenefer Joseph Award for the creative arts in early years from TACTYC ▪ We hold a 5 * Food Safety Award from the Food Standards Agency. ▪ Our menus have been developed with the assistance from nutritionists from The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board and we meet the Welsh Government requirements for nutrition for children in early years settings. ▪ In 2013 we were awarded Gold Healthy Working Wales Awards at both Little Scholars Nursery and Rossett House Nursery. ▪ Staff are trained to a high standard including NVQ Level 2, 3 and 5. Several of our staff have University Degrees relevant to working with young children. They also undertake training in areas such as: child protection, first aid, food hygiene. ▪ We have an excellent reputation for caring for children with additional needs including those children with exceptional needs and we are regularly requested by external agencies to support provision for children with additional needs.
14 Document Title Our Awards. 2024 Leader Live Early Education Winner Rossett House Nursery 2024 Food Standars Agency 5* Rossett House Nursery 2021 Food Standards Agency 5* Food Safety Award Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2021 Tiny Tums Best Practice Award Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2018 Designed to Smile Gold Award Little Scholars Nursery 2018 Food Standards Agency 5* Food Safety Award Little Scholars Nursery 2017 Tiny Tums Nutrition Best Practice Certificate Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2016 Food Standards Agency 5* Food Safely Award Little Scholars Nursery 2016 Healthy Working Wales Small Workplace Gold Award (Re-accreditation Gold Award) Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2015 Healthy and Sustainable Pre-Schools Award Little Scholars Nursery 2015 Designed to Smile Gold Award Little Scholars Nursery 2014 Tiny Tums Nutrition Best Practice Certificate Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2014 Healthy and Sustainable Pre-Schools Award Rossett House Nursery 2013 Food Standards Agency 5* Food Safety Award Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2013 Healthy Working Wales Small Workplace Gold Award Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2012 Tiny Tums Nutrition Best Practice Certificate Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2012 Carer Friendly Employer Award
15 Document Title 2010 Good Practice Certificate – Food & Health Guidelines for Childcare Settings Rossett House Nursery & Little Scholars Nursery 2010 Investors in People Award (fourth renewal) 2010 Welsh Food Safety Award Gold – Rossett House Nursery 2009 Welsh Food Safety Award Silver - Little Scholars Nursery 2009 TACTYC Award Outdoor Provision – Rossett House Nursery 2009 Winner: NDNA Nursery Carer of the Year Award Nursery Manager (Rachel Davies) – Rossett House Nursery 2008 Welsh Food Safety Award Silver - Little Scholars Nursery 2007 Investors in People Award (third renewal) 2007 Won UK Day Nursery of the Year Award Rossett House Nursery 2005 Jenefer Joseph Award for the Creative Arts Little Scholars Nursery 2005 Finalist Modern Apprentice Employer of the Year Elwa
16 2005 Mark Warner / NDNA Day Nursery of the Year Runner Up – Little Scholars Nursery 2004 Investors in People Award (second renewal) 2004 Investors in Children Award Rossett House Nursery and Little Scholars Nursery 2004 Quality Counts Level 2 Quality Assurance Kitemark Little Scholars Nursery 2004 Quality Counts Level 3 Quality Assurance Kitemark The first in the UK (The National Day Nurseries Association describes this as ‘an exceptional level of quality) 2002 Investors in People Award (second renewal) 2001 Quality Counts Quality Assurance Kitemark Rossett House Nursery (The first in Wales and the UK) 2000 Wales Training Award Rossett House Nursery (The only organisation in our sector to achieve this) 1998 Investors in People Award Rossett House Nursery
17 WHAT PARENTS SAY ABOUT US. ‘If I had other children, I would certainly send them.’ ‘I will not hesitate in recommending the nursery to my family, friends and colleagues.’ ‘…enthusiastic and caring staff offering a warm, relaxed and caring atmosphere’. ‘…sometimes we think he prefers it to home.’ ‘… I can rest assured that I can go to work knowing that he is well cared for and stimulated. Everything that you provide more than compensates for being away from home. It is so much better than his previous nursery.’ ‘…wide choice (of activities) always varied and educational, excellent.’ ‘Children are stimulated and happy.’ ‘Well equipped and challenging.’ ‘Always spotless always bright and clean.’ ‘Food is varied, interesting, well balanced.’ ‘Children look forward to nursery.’ ‘A very professionally run nursery.’ ‘Friendly and approachable staff.’ ‘An excellent nursery.’ ‘He has been very happy with you and learnt so much.’ ‘I have looked around many nurseries and as soon as I walked through the door I knew that this was the right one.’ ‘It’s a fabulous nursery really welcoming and you can tell that the staff like the children.’ ‘We are really pleased with how she has come on. She is much more confident and independent and is always asking questions. She has a real love of stories and books and is interested in everything around her. We have no doubt that this has come from nursery.’
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19 How to register your child with us. If you like what you have read and think Rossett House Nursery is the right nursery for your child, then the next step is booking a visit. To do this please either phone on 01244 571872 or e-mail [email protected]. To register your child, you will need to complete a registration form, like the one detailed below. To book your child’s place a £40 registration fee will be due, at the time of booking. Please e-mail the nursery managers, Melissa and Sarah and a form can be sent directly to you. Active Childcare Ltd = ‘An inspired approach to childcare and early education.’
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21 Active Childcare Ltd is registered in Cardiff, Company No 04730679. Registered Office – 14 Herbert Jennings Avenue, Acton, Wrexham, LL12 7YF