Every child within our nursery settings is assigned a ‘key person’ who focuses specifically on their day and their progress. The key person is an important role model for the children, and they are always ready to inform families with updates at the end of the day and through the Parent App.
Our face-to-face conversations with parents are invaluable. The key person can discuss observations identified through play, the next steps in development, and any areas identified for extra support. These conversations are not just informative, but also interactive, with children often eagerly participating to share what they have been doing.
The ParentZone App provides many benefits to parents, such as offering real-time updates on their child’s activities, milestones and progress, as well as allowing for easy communication with staff. This promotes transparency and helps parents stay informed about their child’s experience at nursery. You can expect to received daily updates via the App including important information about what your child has eaten and their sleep pattern.
Our teams regularly update the app to provide parents with regular updates on your child and all the exciting activities they’ve been getting up to.
Your Parent App is a quick and easy way to see what your child has been enjoying during their day across the curriculum, enhancements and clubs.
Daily photograph and 6-weekly updates to cover learning and development, next steps, progress and links to curriculum.
See what your child has eaten during the day and new food favourites that you can introduce at home.
Receive nappy and toileting updates, where appropriate so there are no surprises when you get home.
Keep track of sleep times and routines, so you know your child gets the rest they need whilst in our care.
Read about your child’s first steps in early years education to secure foundations for lifelong learning.
Important updates such as nursery reminders, staff introductions, upcoming events, invitations and news.
Leaving your child at nursery for the first time can be daunting for both parent and child. The Old Station Nursery Group involves parents and carers from the very beginning and throughout every part of their nursery journey, especially during the settling-in and transition periods.
We offer settling-in sessions that parents can attend with their children so children have a familiar face to reassure them while they get used to their new surroundings.
You can expect daily updates from your child’s key person, who will support your child throughout the transition, access to shared resources, invitations to social events, and information sessions.
It is important that nursery and home are connected, and we are able to support parents in an open and sensitive manner. Two-way sharing of information is key to this. We believe that an open access policy is the best way of encouraging participation where we learn more about each child and the best way to enhance their learning and development.
Your observation of your child at home is helpful to share with us during your settling in sessions. This is so that we can adapt and provide what it is that is needed to bring comfort and confidence to your little one.
The ParentZone App is the best place to see your individual child’s nursery updates and journey, but many parents also give us media permissions so we can include photos of their child on Facebook.
Each nursery has a local Facebook page full of updates that give a flavour of daily life in the nursery. Photos have explanations of what the children have been learning and how it fits with the curriculum.
We encourage parents to like, share with extended family and friends, and comment to build relationships with one another, which often continue into primary school.
In addition to providing support and communicating directly with families, our nurseries share resources and activities that make learning at home a fun and engaging experience for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers. This offers reassurance and confidence to parents and supports brain development in children.
From arts and crafts activities to reading and language resources and cooking recipes, you can find plenty of inspiration to continue the joy of learning at home with your little one.
Speak to your nursery directly to find out more.
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Explore our FAQs to find solutions to common queries about our nursery services, curriculum, enrollment process, and more. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help!
You will stay with us during your first visit allowing you to meet the team and chat to your child’s key carer. This gives us the opportunity to find out the important things we need to know such as routine, likes, dislikes etc. We ask you to provide a named bag for your child with some changes of clothes and any comforters your child might want. We also ask you to provide a named sunhat, waterproofs and wellies.
Our personalised tours provide an in-depth look at our facilities, an introduction to our wonderful nursery teams, and a way for you to see and hear more about our Brighter Learning Approach to learning. Most importantly, you will be able to experience the atmosphere of our nursery first-hand. Your local team will be available during the tour to address any concerns and to discuss your child’s specific needs. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition for your child and to create a welcoming and comforting environment from the beginning.
Initially, this information will be collected on our registration form. We then also ask you to complete an ‘all about me’ prior to the first visit so that we can discuss things such as allergies in more detail, face to face. The information will then be added to an individual Health Care Plan which the team will follow to ensure allergies and individual needs are always met.
The rooms and kitchen display allergy sheets which has a photo of the child, their name, the days they attend, the allergy, symptoms of exposure and what to do in an emergency.
The Old Station Nursery believes in fostering a strong partnership with parents. They provide regular communication channels, parent workshops, and opportunities for parents to actively participate in their child’s learning journey. Parental involvement is encouraged to ensure continuity between home and nursery experiences.
My First Friends Nursery is fantastic. My son has been going there full-time since he was 9 months old and loves attending. All of the teachers are so kind, and friendly & give their full attention to every child. They also bring in 3rd party entertainment, such as singers and dancers which my son loves. They have a great outdoor space and an app that keeps you up to date throughout to day including photos, which as a working parent, really appreciate knowing that your child is enjoying themselves.
My baby is 9 months old and has settled so well over his first two months at The Old Station Faringdon. We get fantastic updates, and I love to see the photos of him playing each day, so I can know he's happy and enjoying himself. We also get great feedback at pick-up to know what he has been up to and how he got on, which helps to continue his routine at home, like naps and feeds. The staff know him very well already and are always accommodating if I update them on changes to his sleep patterns, bottle feeds, etc. It is a great set-up, with everything he needs to play, learn and explore as he's just started standing, so they support him in learning each new skill and follow his lead, which is so important.
Our son has recently started going to Choochoos in Canterbury. I was so worried about leaving him so young (he was only six months old when he started), but I really didn't need to be. The ladies in the baby room have all been fantastic with him. He gets excited when he sees his key person, and the app keeps me up to date with what he's doing. His key person is fantastic and will often call to let me know how his day is going and let me make any decisions about his care. I really would recommend Choochoos to anyone looking for a nursery - both me and my son are really happy here!