Baby Unit

3 months – 24 months (Approx)

Our Baby Unit provides a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children aged 3 to 24 months. The unit is divided into two small groups – the Tiddlers and the Tadpoles – with space for up to 12 and 15 children respectively.

Each group has its own dedicated play area designed to support every stage of early development, including:

  • Sensory exploration

  • Physical and role play

  • Messy play and creative activities

  • Construction and problem-solving materials

  • Quiet, restful areas

We also have a large cot room for our youngest babies, a milk kitchen, and dedicated nappy-changing facilities.

Daily activities

Toad Hall Nursery
Inside the baby unit

Even our youngest babies enjoy a fun and stimulating daily routine. Activities are carefully planned in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to support growth across all seven areas of learning.

A typical week may include:

  • Arts and messy play

  • Cooking and sensory experiences

  • Music, movement, and dance

  • Storytime and singing

  • Outdoor exploration in our dedicated baby garden

Daily activities are included in your daily handover, so you can hear what your child has been enjoying.

Meal times/weaning

We work closely with parents to support each baby’s weaning journey.

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables are prepared in our kitchen and pureed as needed.

  • New foods are introduced gradually in consultation with families.

  • Once fully weaned, children enjoy our healthy, balanced nursery menu, which is also displayed on the parent notice board.

Formula milk/Breast milk

  • We provide formula milk, ready-made and safely stored in our milk kitchen.

  • As children grow, we offer cow’s milk daily, with Oatley milk available for those with allergies.

  • Parents may also supply breast milk or specific follow-on formulas if preferred.

All milk is clearly labelled and stored with care to ensure safety and freshness.

Nappies

For children not accessing funded hours, nappies, sensitive wipes, and Sudocrem are all included within our fee structure.

For those using funded hours, we offer an optional consumables fee to help cover the cost of these everyday essentials.

Parents are also welcome to supply their preferred brand of wipes or creams. These will be clearly labelled and used exclusively for their child.

All nappy changes take place in a dedicated changing area, separate from the playroom, to ensure both hygiene and comfort.

Sleep time

We follow each baby’s individual sleep routine, guided by the information parents provide when joining the nursery.

  • Babies have their own cot and bedding.

  • Older children rest after lunch on individual sleep mats in a quiet, calm area.

  • Sleeping children are checked regularly by staff for reassurance and safety.

Staffing on the baby unit

The Baby Unit is led by Kerry Hussey, supported by a team of qualified nursery nurses who act as key persons for each child. Our staff build strong, caring relationships with every baby and their family, ensuring children feel safe, happy, and valued. From time to time, the team is also supported by student nursery nurses, who bring fresh energy and ideas under supervision.

 

✨ At our Baby Unit, we pride ourselves on offering a warm, secure, and engaging first step into nursery life – giving babies the best start in their learning journey.