Play & Learning - the nursery environment

Norland Nursery has been designed specifically for children aged 4 months to five years. All of the equipment and furniture is of the highest quality and made of natural materials whenever possible. Each of our individually designed areas allows children to explore and discover different interests.

While children are given the freedom to explore the nursery at their own pace, there are also activities planned throughout the day to encourage their development (in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage - published DCFS 2008).

A wide range of rich learning activities and resources are planned for and presented to the children on a daily basis in a free flow workshop approach, meaning all resources are available to the children at all times.

The learning environment consists of five main areas;

BABY ROOM

The very youngest children have a dedicated space to play and sleep with a shared care approach echoing the baby’s individual routine to suit their needs.

The children are cared for in the baby nest and reflection room, where a range of sensory learning opportunities are presented in the form of treasure baskets, heuristic play (non commercial objects), massage and baby yoga. 

The sleep room is a quiet space where children can be tucked into one of the cots, or curl up in one of the specially designed nests.

"It’s a joy to have a guilt free drop off knowing that my daughter will have great fun and learn things."

 TECHNOLOGY ROOM

Technology plays an ever increasing role in all our lives and children are no strangers to its advances. In this room children can use digital cameras and laptops to create images and designs.

Children can use the laptops to locate images for instance of the local architecture of the city, prior to designing and constructing structures with a large selection of wooden blocks, or explore form and property through colour mixing on the light table. 

Fantastic resources are provided which give children the opportunity to bring their designs to life and explore the boundaries of gravity.

The loft enables children to explore different heights. It stimulates more opportunity for choice and adds new dimensions to their role play.

"We like the freedom to move between rooms, the technology room clinched it for us."

DISCOVERY ROOM 

An area of adventure and imagination!

Children learn through discovery, and this area provides an opportunity for children to discover the world around them with areas reflecting daily life and explore early science and maths.

Children can create their own small world in this room using a variety of toys. The large indoor beach is where children can build sandcastles and feel the sand between their toes! The water tray gives children the opportunity to discover what floats and sinks, and what happens when things get wet!

"Norland has given my son the extra stimulation he needs and has put him in good stead for school."

REFLECTION ROOM

The reflection room is a space which enables and positively encourages babies to explore the wider nursery it also gives them a space that feels more enclosed and secure as they develop their ever increasing independence.  The reflection room also offers opportunity for the children to explore and experiment with a range of media, such as clays and dough, sand and water as well as reflection through mirror and light. 

"The nursery has fantastic facilities for great stimulation."

CREATIVE ROOM 

Although all of the areas within the nursery encourage children to be creative and imaginative, this area has a range of equipment and plenty of space to really let an imagination go!

There is plenty of space for painting, sticking, cutting out and creating masterpieces which are then displayed on the walls around the nursery or given pride of place at home.

The creative room truly enables children to experiment and investigate with a range of media, inspired internationally recognised artists children use malleable play, paint, collage, weaving and both natural and recycled materials  in the designing and creation of many master pieces.

"I like the variety of rooms and equipment that the children are free to explore."

OUTDOORS

At Norland Nursery the outdoors is as important as the rooms indoors and children are encouraged to spend as much time outside as they wish. 'There is no such thing as bad weather - just the wrong clothes'.

The garden is viewed as a ‘classroom without walls’ in which children plant, care for and harvest vegetables, take a quiet moment in the wigloo, or practice a range of large motor skills on the ride-on bikes.  The stage allows children to develop their creative talents, and is the ideal place for sharing in a story. 

"Staff seem to spend more time engaging with the children than filling in forms."