Information

The Townsend Nursery is registered with Ofsted under the Government's Department for Children Schools and Families (DFCSF). Ofsted make unannounced inspections, to ensure that all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage, curriculum are being met. Our last inspection was in July 2016, and we were delighted to be awarded the highest judgemental of 'Outstanding' in all areas. To look at the most recent report and previous reports follow the link.

In 2008 the Government introduced a new statutory framework which covers the education and care for early year’s children 0-5 years. This is called the EYFS, The Early Years Foundation Stage, and covers not only welfare requirements but goals for early year’s education and development. From September 2012 the new EYFS will comprise of seven areas of learning and development, the prime areas are communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. Four specific areas are also taught in which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. These specific areas are literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design. At the Townsend this framework is taught in a creative holistic environment. The children's development and achievements are observed and recorded by sensitive well-trained staff. The proprietor is an Early Years professional and dedicated to offering high quality experiences. We are committed to:

• Provide high quality early years education lead by highly qualified trained caring staff.

• Create a warm welcoming environment where children and their parents feel valued and know they are listened to. Our nursery ensures equality of opportunity for children and families.

• To ensure that our children are safe and secure at all times(we have robust recruitment procedures and all our staff and those living and working on the premises have DBS checks. We operate a rigid health and safety policy and safe guarding children policy.)

• To maintain a creative stimulating environment both indoors and outdoors where we can nurture each child and build confidence and self-esteem and resilience. The environment is important to us and children's wellbeing, so being on a farm the children learn about nature, through the seasons, going down to our forest school or out in the orchards. We foster an ethos that communication is the key to all learning, so we support the development of language and literacy and above all else a listening culture.

• To prepare our children so they can confidently embrace their future school and life-long learning experiences.

Tuesday pm drama

Wednesday am- French – pm- Music

Thursday am- Forest school- pm ICT

Friday pm- dance/ bab

We were the first nursery in the county to gain Bronze, then Silver and Gold Quality assurance. We are about to pilot the new Quality Mark scheme. We are the first nursery in the county to receive the new Quality Mark, as recognition for our commitment to very high-quality provision.

We are registered for this. Follow the link for more information how 3- and 4-year-olds can claim up to 15 hours free: You may also be eligible for up to 30 hours free funding or 2-year funding

http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/education/44808.asp

(We accept childcare vouchers and payment by Bacs.)

We operate under the children's Act 2004 and follow the Government's aims for every child to:

• Be Healthy
• Stay Safe
• Enjoy and Achieve
• Make a positive Contribution
• Achieve economic Well- being.

We are a registered Forest school with trained forest school leaders.

Each week we spend a morning down in the designated forest on the farm- a short walk away. The children wear waterproof /protective clothing and suitable boots. They learn how to use tools safely, den build, climb trees and learn about the natural environment. Parents are asked to see and sign the forest school policy. Forest school helps children learn about nature and the environment, it builds resilience and independence.

We teach the children values in accordance with the EYFS, which are reflected in our behaviour management and equal opportunities policies. We aim to actively promote the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Each Term we look at a different value and use books, lessons, and everyday examples to teach these values. They include being honest, being brave, being friendly, appreciate what we have, keeping on trying, being kind and sharing and taking turns.

Snow and Adverse weather policy and procedure:

 In the event of adverse weather, the following procedure will be followed:

• In some extreme  bad weather situations, it is likely that staff will not be able to get into work and our ratios would be compromised, or it looks as if the conditions could present a danger to parents, children and staff, we will decide to close the nursery.

• If we have advance warning, we will verbally tell all the parents to look at the WhatsApp

• Without warning the information will be pasted on the WhatsApp page and attempts will be made to text parents/ staff in good time before they needlessly make a journey.

 If we are presented with an emergency weather situation once children/staff have got to school- we will ring or WhatsApp all parents and emergency contacts to inform them that the school will be closed and that they should come and collect their children. Staff will be sent home as soon as it is safe to do so without ratios being compromised. The proprietor will stay with the child until they are collected and in the unlikely event that the parents are unable to collect the children they will be kept at the house, with the parents’ permission.

• Parents will be kept informed, and the children will be constantly reassured, and their wellbeing cared for at all times. All family members have a DBS check.

• In certain circumstances parents’ views will be canvassed.

• Refunds for lost days/hours due to unforeseen weather conditions cannot be made as fees are calculated on the whole terms running cost