Toddlers (2-3 years) Foxley - Wise Owls Childcare

In our toddler room, we can accommodate 12 children between the age of 2 and 3 years old. We have an excellent staff:child ratio of 1:4 ensuring that planned activities are designed to stimulate your child’s imagination and love of learning throughout the day. Our Little Owls will enjoy many exciting and creative activities with free play sessions, group time, art and craft, sensory play and physical exercise. Staff carefully craft ways to engage and stimulate curiosity and interest to ensure your child develops the necessary social, emotional and physical qualities through their early years.

We have a very busy time outside in the large garden each day which includes an allotment where the children learn to grow their own healthy food. There is a quiet cosy area with cushions for story time and plenty of creative spaces for children to stretch their imaginations and get messy. Group time activities help our Little Owls to develop important life skills including patience, cooperation, sharing and communication. With beautiful woodlands on our doorstep, children also get to explore their natural surroundings on a regular basis

Monitoring your child’s development

Our early years practitioners ensure that every child meets their personal developmental goals and attains the highest standard of learning, following the EYFS seven areas of learning and the Wise Owls Curriculum. Each child is assigned a key person who gains a deep understanding of their interests, abilities, and progress. Parents are invited to participate in parent consultations throughout the year to learn about their child’s development. We prioritise fostering an open and collaborative relationship with parents to cater to each child’s needs effectively. All learning and developmental milestones are documented on our digital app.

READ OUR CURRICULUM KEY PERSON ROLE

Learning through play

Our toddlers have so many wonderful resources at their fingertips both inside and out perfect for curious explorers and designed to spark imagination and wonder. Our toddlers have an adventurous and very spacious outdoor play area and forest school that they love playing in. Resources include climbing frames, trikes and scooters, creative play areas for painting, sensory play including sand and water, arts and craft corners, dress ups, a cosy reading den, a shop and much more.

Meals & Nutrition

Good nutrition is essential to the healthy growth and development of children. We encourage, and at times, inspire children to try a variety of food they may not have tried before. Meal times are a social affair as children sit together to socialise. Children are encouraged to grow their independence at meal times, however staff are always nearby to lend a hand and encourage good manners and adventurous appetites.

SAMPLE LUNCH MENU BREAKFAST, SNACK AND TEA MENU

Sleep and Rest Times

Sleep is fundamental to growth so here in the toddler room we still provide the opportunity for children to either sleep or rest after a stimulating morning. Children are provided with their own mattress, sheets and blankets and if they do not require a sleep they can use this time for quiet activity or a story.

Potty Training

Our toddlers have access to a bathroom with a selection of potties for those who are toilet training. Our team will work closely with parents to achieve this stage of child development. Lots of encouragement is given with stars and certificates. If you are not sure when you should embark on this next stage of your child’s development, speak to your key worker or our nursery managers for some advice.

A typical day in Little Owls

Our philosophy centres around the belief that every child is unique, with their own rhythm, interests, and pathway to development. This belief guides our approach, allowing us to tailor our care and educational activities to the individual needs of each child, fostering an environment where they can thrive at their own pace. Routine care, such as nappy changes or trips to the potty, are seamlessly integrated, always attentive to the well-being and comfort of each child.

Breakfast

A substantial breakfast is served between 7.45-8.30am. We offer a variety of cereals and help the children to serve their own breakfast and help with pouring the milk.

Morning Routine

Following on from breakfast the children have time for some free play; independently choosing their activities from what is available to them. We set up a range of activities including sensory activities using material such as play dough, cornflour, shaving foam etc. We have themed tuff trays, painting, reading and role play available. We also have mark making tools out at all times for the children to develop their fine motor skills. During this time, we read stories and sing big actions songs as directed by the childrens’ interests.

Snack time

At 9.50am we get ready for snack by encouraging hand washing and we then sit in small groups and sing & read stories until snack time at 10am. Snack consists of fruit, breadsticks, rice cakes, crackers or fruit loaf with a cup of milk or water.

After snack we usually spend some time in the garden where the children can experience some different types of sensory play, such as sand and water, construction play, and art & craft. We look at a song, story shape and colour each month and plan activities around these for the children to do within free play time if they choose to. At approximately 11.40am we encourage the children to help with tidying up the garden before lunch.

Lunch time

At 11.30am children are asked to wash their hands and then sit at the table for lunch. The children will self-serve their lunch with support from the staff.

At 12.30pm children will lay down for a sleep on the bed mats provided. If children at this age don’t require a middle of the day sleep, toddlers will play in the preschool room or the garden under supervision.

Afternoon routine

After sleep, children will go play in the garden while waiting for their friends to wake up. In the afternoon, staff will set up age appropriate activities for our toddlers to choose from. All of these activities will support the seven areas of learning in the EYFS Framework.

Tea time

Tea time at 3:45pm brings another moment of community and nourishment, with a variety of healthy options catered to every need.

Our day concludes with play-led learning, where our dedicated staff set up more engaging activities aligned with the EYFS curriculum, fostering an environment where children can explore, learn, and grow, supported and encouraged every step of the way.