Early years education and providing the very best start for your children is at the heart of what we offer in our nurseries. As part of our unique approach, some nurseries provide one to five enhanced activities; these are Forest School, Organic, Cookery, Montessori inspired and Languages.
The Old Station Nursery and Little Green Rascals Forest Schools are environments that support play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired hands on experiences in a natural setting.
Our children love to know more about our Wonderful World. As part of the Brighter Learning Approach, Forest School is the perfect place to use resources and sessions dedicated to becoming Nature Explorers and Planet Protectors.
In our organic enhancement nurseries, our children learn how to grow, tend and harvest their own produce in our Grow Our Own Club. The children learn about the different environments plants need in order to grow, the changing growing seasons and how to cook and use their produce for eating. The children love donning their organic aprons and using the child-friendly gardening tools.
Our Cooking Club nurseries offer the skills, smells and tastes achieved from home cooking that instils a lifelong pleasure in making and enjoying delicious foods to support well-being and all-round health.
Specialist equipment is provided including ‘cool-touch’ ovens, child-friendly utensils and The Old Station Nursery chef’s hats and aprons.
The Old Station Nursery Montessori Inspired nurseries use five key learning areas, each of which uses specific learning materials and practises. These are Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics and Knowledge and Understanding of the World. All tasks and activities are introduced to the child in phases.
Learning a language is hugely beneficial in early years, developing cognitive skills, widening their world awareness and boosting self-esteem. At a young age, children learn words easily and can develop a life-long joy of language development. Our Language enhancement nurseries provide Baby Signing and interactive multi-lingual books. We support parents with resources to help you continue the learning at home.
As a former childcare worker myself finding the right nursery setting for my children to attend was very important for me. I had a show round at several other nurseries prior to The Old Station Nursery but from the get-go they had me won over. I was very impressed by not just the setting itself but also the incredibly caring staff. I found the activities available fantastic and my children thoroughly enjoy the likes of cheeky monkeys and French lessons as well as regular trips into town/the hairdressers etc to learn about their interests and further their education.
I couldn't recommend Sandhills Day Nursery enough. The staff are all so friendly, so caring and attentive to the children and my son has settled in perfectly over the last year and never wants to leave when I pick him up. He has come on so much in the last year and takes part in so many activities and things, such as welly walks to the lanes to see the sheep, forest school, music time and lots of crafts and he always comes home to tell us what an amazing day he has had. Would definitely recommend this nursery to anyone looking for a home-from-home style nursery setting for their child.
Lovely nursery. My son joined at 9 months old. Staff in the baby room are so caring and nurturing. My son has enjoyed going from a young age which was very reassuring for me going back to work. My daughter is now in preschool, she has thoroughly enjoyed her years at this nursery, she has made lots of friends and really likes her teachers. She particularly enjoys Spanish, yoga and superstar sports and cooking as well as the montessori based activities.
Have questions about our enhancements? We’ve got the answers! From how we encourage children to learn through cookery, to growing their own organic food, our FAQs will guide you through the benefits of our enhancements.
The availability of enhancements may vary by location. Please use our online nursery finder to learn more about what is offered at your local setting.
Yes, staff members receive appropriate training to effectively deliver each enhancement, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all children.
Cooking activities support early development by enhancing fine motor skills, introducing basic math concepts, and encouraging sensory exploration. These experiences also promote teamwork and communication as children work together to prepare meals.
Language lessons are age-appropriate and integrated into the daily routine through songs, stories, and interactive activities. This immersive approach helps children naturally acquire new languages in a fun and engaging manner.
As a group, we have always cared about the food we serve every day and its positive impact on our children’s mental and physical health. Our chefs care about the origin of their ingredients and are passionate about creating varied menus that minimise processed foods and unhealthy additives. It is a natural step for our nurseries to also consider the impact our served food has on nature and the environment, providing even more learning opportunities for the children whilst championing sustainability, healthy eating, and a deeper connection to the world around them.