An Application form for Dinky-Doo Nursery may be downloaded from here - CLICK.

A full copy of the Dinky-Doo Prospectus (PDF format) may be viewed from here - CLICK.

If you do not have Adobe Reader please click to download.

To view our prospectus and services please click the appropriate section below:-

Aims

It is our aim at Dinky Doo Nursery School that every child develops a lively, enquiring mind, feels happy, safe and secure, and fulfils his or her potential in every aspect of progress and growth. To achieve this we provide a well-resourced, stimulating environment that:

- protects and nurtures the well-being and health of the child;
- encourages active learners to question and gain in confidence and motivation;
- encourages a sense of belonging and active involvement in the education process for children and their families;
- ensures that opportunities for learning are fair and each child's contribution and individuality is valued, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, age or background;
- recognises, promotes and protects the language and symbols of our own and other cultures;
- recognises that children learn through exploration;
- values and promotes play as providing meaningful learning;
- provides a broad, balanced curriculum that meets the needs of each child, reflecting the areas of learning set out in national guidelines for 3 - 5 year olds;
- provides opportunities for children to take responsibility and to share in decisions that affect them;
- recognises that the acquisition of knowledge and skills should be planned and appropriate to each child's needs.

We are confident that this approach will give lasting benefits to our children and lay secure foundations for the next stage of schooling.

back to top of page

Daily Sessions

Dinky Doo Nursery School offers three separate daily sessions with places for 24 children to attend each session.

Session times are:
                                    8.30am - 5.30pm
                                    8.30am - 12.30pm
                                    1.30pm - 5.30pm.

back to top of page

Admission & Fees

There are places for 24 children from 3 months to the age of five years at the school. 

Application forms are available from the  Nursery Office or this website.

A registration fee of £50 is required for each child.

One months notice is required for withdrawal of a child from the school.

The fees from September 2010 are:-
                                    All Day          - £44.00
                                    AM Session   - £22.00
                                    PM Session    - £22.00

This includes all meals but excludes any outings.

Fees are payable 4 weekly or weekly in advance.

Dinky Doo is open all year— including school holidays.

back to top of page

Curriculum

The Early Years Foundation Stage is a single quality framework for all children from birth to the age of five. It is rich in play and involvement in daily routines. Children will have plenty of chances to learn through care routines, fun with physical movement, play for senses, let's pretend, books and stories, music and rhymes, heuristic play with natural & household objects, outdoor play and experiences. This framework sets out the learning process through a series of "stepping stones". "The Early Learning Goals" are what most children will achieve at the end of the reception year and are set by the department for Education and skills.

The Foundation Stage Curriculum

Dinky Doo Nursery offers an educational provision to support learning outcomes in the following areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

This area is concerned with emotional well-being, knowing who you are and where you fit in. It is about children's view of themselves; their self-esteem and their relationships with others. Children are naturally interested in other people and we offer opportunities to help to develop independence, confidence and resourcefulness as well as their understanding of:

• relationships, feelings and needs
• acceptable social behaviour;
• right and wrong;
• the world around them - the people in their community and those in the wider world;
• the diversity of cultures (different customs and festivals).

Communication, Language and Literacy

It is through language that children learn and make sense of the world around them. Language, written and spoken, enables children to explain themselves, interact with others and to organise their thoughts.

We offer children many opportunities to speak and to listen; to express their ideas in words and in pictures; to share a rich variety of stories and poetry and a love for books and language.

We develop knowledge and understanding of print and that it conveys meaning; that it is possible to record language; that letters stand for something; that print flows in a particular direction and that the alphabet has upper and lower case letters.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

Use of mathematical language to help develop concepts during a range of activities forms the foundations on which mathematical understanding is based.

Knowledge and understanding of number; shape and space; pattern; symmetry and positional relationships; measure (time, weight, length, capacity) are all explored. The first hand experiences we offer the children help them to sort, count, sequence and measure.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Children learn about themselves and the world around them and begin to make sense of their world. We provide opportunities for children to find out about past and present events in their own lives; to explore their environment and to learn about other living things.

Children develop knowledge and understanding of materials and their properties; of why things happen and how things work. They design and make models using tools and equipment and use information technology to support their work.

We provide the opportunities that will help children to develop enquiring minds and the skills of observation, prediction, problem solving and experimentation.

Physical

Through the daily nursery routines we encourage children to develop the skills of physical control, co-ordination, movement and manipulation. We help children gain confidence in what they can do and to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active indoors and out.

We provide opportunities that allow the children to develop knowledge and understanding of how their bodies work; of health and hygiene; the need for safety; how to move with confidence and increasing control; to improve their fine motor skills.

Creative

Children learn through their senses. They need time and opportunity to explore and experiment with ideas and materials; to develop their own ideas and to be imaginative; to observe carefully and to develop the ability to use a variety of tools and techniques.

We help children to develop a knowledge and understanding of texture, colour and shape; of drawing and painting; musical forms and rhythm; and of imaginative play, drama and dance.

back to top of page

Staff

All Dinky Doo staff have been fully vetted by OFSTED  and are fully qualified to either NNEB or similar standard.

Staff turnover is very low ensuring continuity of education and care for the children. Staff regularly attend courses in various areas of the curriculum.

Sara Mander — Proprietor
Qualifications:- NNEB
Experience:- 26 years.

Kerrie Oliver — Nursery Manager
Qualifications:- NVQ Level 3
Experience:- 8  years.

Emma Waller — Room Leader / Nursery Practitioner
Qualification:- NVQ level 3
Experience:- 4 years.

Thea Powell–Jones — Nursery Practitioner
Qualifications:- NVQ level 3
Experience:- 7 years.

Emma Jacobs — Nursery Assistant
Qualifications:- NVQ level 2
Experience:- 2 years.

Melissa Osborne — Nursery Assistant
Qualifications:- NVQ level 2
Experience:- 3 years.

Lenuta Manda — Nursery Assistant
Qualifications:- NVQ level 2
Experience:- 2 years.

Annie Anderson — Nursery Practitioner
Qualifications:- NNEB
Experience:- 37 years, 12 years running her own nursery.

Charlotte Simpson — Nursery Support
Qualifications:- NVQ level 2 in progress
Experience:- 2 years.

back to top of page

General

Nursery Policies
Dinky Doo adheres to strict policies and procedures. These comprehensive guidelines are used to help with the smooth running of the Nursery School and are aimed at assisting both parents / carers and staff, in fulfilling our aims and remaining within the boundaries of all relevant legislation.
Our policies have been drawn up in accordance with OFSTED guidelines and recommendations. 
Copies of our policies are available from the school office.

Complaints
We aim to provide an environment and relationship with you that supports your child and meets his/her requirements. We are open about what we offer and how we operate. However, we also understand that there may be occasions when you may have concerns that you want to discuss. Please feel free to approach any member of staff who, whenever possible, will be willing to listen, talk, give advice and/or resolve any issues you may have. Parents may prefer to approach the Proprietor directly, in which case an appointment can be made.
In the event of a parent having a concern that they do not feel can be discussed with either staff or the Proprietor, a formal complaints procedure can be followed. This has been designed to provide you with a formal mechanism to resolve any complaint you may have that has not been resolved with the staff. Copies are available from the school office.

Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that our Prospectus and Policies are up-to-date at the time of going to press. However, in responding to recent legislation, unforeseen changes may need to be made in organisation and/or curriculum. We will do our best to keep parents informed of any changes. Parents should ask the Proprietor about any points of particular importance to them.

back to top of page

Policies

A full copy of Dinky-Doo Policies may be viewed from here.

back to top of page

Corporate & Special Events

In addition to providing child care at our city location, Dinky-Doo offers off-site Corporate & Special Event child care. Corporate & Special Event child care ensures peace of mind for parents and demonstrates your company's commitment to the family. Dinky-Doo's experienced team can assist the individual or your company through the entire process of special event child care.

What — Childcare at Special & Corporate Events for children between the ages of 3 months and 14 years. Any location within the UK and Europe. Dinky-Doo crèche facilities are imaginative, fun and professionally run.

Why — Professionally provided childcare at your event will allow you to enjoy your special occasion or attract more people to your corporate event who will spend longer listening to your message, buying your product or simply valuing your hospitality.

How — Dinky-Doo has a quality service to fit your budget and the resources to give you a value for money quality provision, unique to your event (cost is determined by numbers, ages, opening hours and location).

Where —  Anywhere, any time, indoors or outside, our imagination and initiative enables us to transform any space into a safe stimulating and enjoyable environment.

back to top of page