Your Childs Settling Experience at The WonderWorks
“I have a sense of belonging in a home from home and an extended family”
“ My family is cared for, supported, involved, and valued ”
Children settle best when they have a key person to relate to - who’s taken time to get to know them and their families, and who can meet their individual needs. Having a key person helps children build secure relationships within which they can thrive.
We want children to feel safe and nurtured with strong attachments rooted in close, secure relationships.
Parents should have confidence in their children's well-being and feel they have an active role to play within the setting.
Through our app - Blossom, busy parents can log in and view their child’s daily activities, food and marvellous moments when it is most convenient for them. Parents can contribute to their child’s learning journey, make notes for their key person and strengthen their bond with the staff and setting all from their secure app.
FAQ’S
What do we need to bring on my child’s first day at The WonderWorks?
Every child is different but as a starting point we would suggest you to bring a named bag such as a medium sized tote bag, rucksack or changing bag with nappies, nappy cream, bottles, a change of clothes and their comforter (if they have one). If your baby is using formula milk please provide us with a new and sealed container of milk. We cannot accept formula milk which is pre-made or in an unsealed container.
Your child will have a basket at nursery where we store their nappies, but we don’t have a huge amount of storage space so we usually ask for a pack of nappies at a time, and we will let you know when we need more. We provide wipes and nappy sacks.
All babies and children will need suitable outdoor clothing and shoes, these will need to match the weather conditions and time of the year. So warm coats, all in one suits, hats and gloves are needed for the winter and thinner waterproofs and sun hats for the summer time and warmer weather. For children who are walking when the weather is wet we would suggest your child wears a names pair of wellington boots to nursery. We also suggest all children bring a suitable pair of indoor shoes in their nursery bag, so for example rubber soled slippers or soft pump type shoes. Something that children can change into, wear and feel comfortable in throughout the day.
Please clearly label all of your childs personal items- it is incredibly helpful, especially for our younger children
Who will look after my child?
Your child will be cared for by our wonderful Teachers. In each room there will be a very experienced Room Leader, a Senior Nursery Teacher and then a team of Nursery Teachers. who will be qualified. They work alongside our Assistant Teachers who are working towards an early years qualification. Every child has a Keyperson who will be their main carer, but all the team will play a part in their daily experience. The key person is a named Teacher or Assistant Teacher who has responsibilities for a small group of children, they are here to help each child feel safe and secure. The role is important for both your child and you as they will respond to your child’s needs, build a close relationship, and help them to feel safe and secure at nursery.
We believe our Teachers are the most important resource we have in the nursery and we spend a lot of time providing them with training and wellbeing support so that they really can provide the BEST experience for every child. We close the nursery for 2 training days a year plus have regular staff meetings in the evening after the nursery day.
All our team have undergone thorough safer recruitment vetting and checks. All of them receive training and regular supervision support, which includes safeguarding training, food hygiene training and child development training. At least 1 Teacher present in each room will have a full and relevant first aid qualification.
What will my child do when they are nursery?
Have fun, make new friends, learn, and go on new adventures! We listen to children and follow their lead. They will play inside and outside; they will have the option to choose where they want to play and who to play with. They will have access to some activities which have been planned for, and set up by our wonderful Teachers, we call these provocations. They will also be able to choose from a wide range of resources and play freely and independently. Children will be able to sing, paint, pretend, listen to stories, dance, use glue, clay, water, and sand. They will be able to climb, run, jump and explore the natural world outside. We blend several early years approaches into our very own WonderWorks approach and we would suggest you head to our Approach section to find out much more.
Can I bring a comforter for my child?
Of course!
Comforters are as important to us as they are to your child. Please just make sure they are named. If your child has a dummy please let us know and provide a couple of spares in a named Tupperware type box. Comforters will be with your child for as long as they need them. In their own time they will be encouraged to put their dummy or comforter in a safe place so they can play and chat with their friends. But they will always know that if they need them, they will be there.
How can I receive updates on my child throughout the day?
You will be given a personal and confidential login so that you can securely access your App and child’s online learning journey. Your child’s keyperson will add information such as their nappy changes, toileting, food and sleep routines along with some photographs and observations to help you see how they are getting along at nursery. This is also the platform we use to share about any accidents they might have, and other messages for home. We also would like you to provide us updates with news from home so that this really does become a two-way communication tool and capture your child’s journey with us. Please don’t worry this isn’t our only method of communication if we have an important or urgent message, we will call you during the day and likewise if you have something important to tell us please use the online learning journey, but back it up with a phone call, a message at drop off time or an e-mail into the nursery team. We also write and send you nursery and company newsletters to help you to feel part of nursery life.