Our Nurseries

Welcome to Chipmunks

About Our Nurseries

At Chipmunks we recognise that children learn in different ways and at different rates and plan for this accordingly. Our aim is to support all children attending the nursery to attain their maximum potential within their individual capabilities.  

We provide interesting and challenging experiences that meet the needs of all children. Planning is based on a secure knowledge and understanding of how to promote the learning and development of the children and what they can achieve.

We implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) set by the Department for Education that sets standards to ensure all children learn and develop well. We support and enhance each childs learning and development holistically through play-based activities. We review all aspects of learning and development while ensuring a flexible approach is maintained, which responds quickly to every childs learning and developmental needs. 

We offer a balance of child led and adult led play opportunities that are taken from the childrens interests and curiosity. Our approach is very much ‘in the moment’ and if we as practitioners are making a real difference to their learning then we need to seize the moment when a child first shows curiosity and support their next steps immediately.

We acknowledge parents as primary educators and encourage parental involvement as outlined in our “Parents and Carers as Partners” policy. We build strong home links in order to enhance and extend children’s learning both within the nursery environment and in the child’s home. 

Settling Children In

At Chipmunks we aim to support parents and other carers to help their children settle quickly and easily by giving consideration to the individual needs and circumstances of every child and their families. Our aim is for children to feel safe, stimulated and happy in the nursery and to feel secure and comfortable with all our staff. We also want parents to have confidence in both their children’s continued well-being and their role as active partners, with the child being able to benefit from what the nursery has to offer.

All our staff know about the importance of building strong attachments with children. Our nursery will work in partnership with parents to settle their children into the nursery environment. This will be through planning settling in sessions for the child before they start, beginning with 30 minutes and building up to the child’s full session. The child will also be allocated a key person who welcomes and looks after the child, ensuring that their care is tailored to meet their individual needs. We will with parents to gather information on the child’s interests, likes and dislikes before the child starts as well as complete a baseline of the child’s current development, to plan and meet the individual needs of the child from the first day

Due to COVID-19, we ensure any new parent/carers are aware of the “system of controls”, how this impacts them, and their responsibilities in supporting it when visiting a setting with their child.

Outdoor Play

At Chipmunks we are committed to the importance of daily outdoor play and the physical development of all children regardless of their age and stage of development. We provide outdoor play in all weathers. Where possible and appropriate, we make outdoor activities accessible to children with learning difficulties and disabilities to ensure inclusive use of the outdoor area.

We recognise that children need regular access to outdoor play in order to keep fit and healthy, develop their large and fine motor skills, experiential learning in a natural environment and access sunlight in order to absorb vitamin D more effectively. 

The outdoor areas within the nursery grounds offer a variety of experiences and resources which help children to develop in a variety of ways, including independence, exploration and investigative skills, risk-taking and self-esteem, all of which support children to develop skills now and for the future. 

We ensure all areas are safe and secure through close supervision and the use of robust risk assessments and safety checks. Where possible and appropriate, we plan and encourage play that helps children understand and manage risks. This type of play allows children to explore and find their own boundaries in a safe environment with supportive practitioners. 

Children under the age of 2 years have their own designated outside space so they can explore independently and safely at any time of the day that suits them, following each child’s individual daily routine.

Mealtimes

Mealtimes should be a happy, social occasion for children and staff alike. Positive interactions should be shared at these times and enjoyed. Chipmunks Day Nursery is committed to offering children healthy, nutritious and balanced meals and snacks which meet individual needs and requirements. 

We will ensure that:

  • A balanced and healthy meal at lunch and two daily snacks are provided for children attending a full day at the nursery.
  • Menus will be planned in advance, rotated regularly and reflect cultural diversity and variation. (These will be displayed for parents)
  • All allergens are displayed alongside the menus to show the contents of each meal.
  • Menus will include servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day.
  • Individual dietary requirements are respected. We gather information from parents regarding their child’s dietary needs, including any special dietary requirements, preferences and food allergies that a child has and any special health requirements, before a child starts or joins the nursery. Where appropriate, we will carry out a risk assessment in the case of allergies and work alongside parents to put into place an individual dietary plan for their child
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Nursery News & Notices

Weymouth
Providing care to
thousands of children
since1991
Dorchester
Providing care to
thousands of children
since1994
Testimonials

What Parents Say:

Emma-Jane Stocker

Via Facebook
Absolutely amazing nursery. My son loves it here. The staff are so friendly and it's obvious my son adores them all as he can't wait to get out of his pushchair and into the playroom.

Teal Olivia Lee-Carter

Via Facebook
My daughter came out of nursery one afternoon and said to me, "mummy, I love my nursery☺" made me really happy!!