Learning & Development
At Rose Cottage, our curriculum is thoughtfully planned and carefully organised to extend and support each child's development, building both their knowledge and their skills through meaningful, play-based learning. We believe children learn best when they are curious, engaged, and supported by nurturing adults in rich, stimulating environments. Learning takes place both indoors and outdoors, allowing every child to explore, discover, and thrive in ways that suit their individual interests and needs.
Our experienced Practitioners plan for the children in their care using their professional judgement, alongside high-quality interactions, assessments and daily observations. These observations inform our planning and ensure that every learning experience is purposeful and unique to each child. We provide a balance of child-led and adult-led activities, giving children opportunities to take the lead in their play while being gently guided and challenged to reach their full potential.
The Government's statutory framework the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), forms the core of our curriculum providing the foundations for children's learning, development, and wellbeing. Alongside this, we are guided by Birth to 5 Matters, which complements the EYFS and helps us ensure that all children, regardless of background or ability, receive the support and challenge they need to grow with confidence.
Healthy Eating & Nutrition
Menu
Our children experience a variety of healthy, balanced and nutritious foods. The menus are carefully planned and freshly prepared on the premises by our own qualified cook, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables introducing children to a wide range of tastes, textures, and healthy eating habits.
Working in Partnership
We work closely with parents to accommodate all specific dietary requirements including religious dietary requirements, food allergies, vegetarians, vegans, and babies at all stages of weaning. Babies' home feeding routines are continued in the nursery and we support a successful weaning programme.
Daily Meal Times
Our day commences with a balanced breakfast, followed by a morning snack, lunch at noon, a mid-afternoon snack, and tea at 4:00pm. Fresh drinking water, milk and diluted fruit juice are always available. The food your child eats and the amount consumed is reported to you at pick up.
Mealtimes as Learning
We believe mealtimes are a social occasion as much as a valuable learning opportunity. Table manners, independence in making choices, self-serving where age appropriate, and conversation about our day are always encouraged. All staff who serve and prepare food have achieved a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
Health & Wellbeing
It is our responsibility to promote the good health and wellbeing of all children attending Rose Cottage Nursery.
At Rose Cottage we have an obligation to all children in our care and the staff who work for us to minimise the risk of illness and the spread of infections. As part of growing up, children go through a whole series of illnesses, some minor and easily treatable and some that need more strict management and control.
As a parent it can be tricky deciding whether or not to keep your child off nursery when they are unwell. The following guidance produced by the Government provides information about health protection and managing specific infectious diseases — the guidance states when children should be kept off nursery and when they should not. On occasions where your child falls ill at nursery, we follow the above guidance.
Further guidance is also available from the NHS: Is my child too ill for school?
If you do keep your child at home, it is important to phone Rose Cottage on the first day. Let them know that your child will not be attending and give us the reason. If your child is under the weather, please let staff know.
