Registered to take up to nine babies aged from six weeks to around 15 months, our Ducklings room is a half-carpeted space with a separate area suited for messy play. All babies are individuals, so Ducklings is set up to allow them to eat when they’re hungry, sleep when they’re tired and play when they’re feeling energetic.
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Ducklings' activities are planned around the Early Years Foundation themes of the unique child, positive relationships, enabling environments, and learning and development, with key activities shared on the child's individual daily diary via the Blossom app, which is sent at the end of each day.
The Blossom app is used for a range of purposes. Daily diaries are recorded across nursery with information included in these slowly reducing down as the child progresses through nursery. Mealtimes, bottles, nappies and sleeps are all recorded in the daily diaries as standard in our under 2's rooms. Additional information, such as medicine administration reminders, may be recorded on the daily diaries as necessary. Weekly observations are also recorded for each individual child, supporting their learning and development and following their interests. The app is also used to send out newsletters, record attendance and has a space for parents to share their own observations from home.
A staff to baby ratio of at least 1:3 is maintained at all times.
Ducklings sleep in prams in our specially-built cabana. Fully covered, but open on four sides and protected from the wind, it provides a safe haven where little ones are gently lulled to sleep by the sound of the wind rustling through nearby trees. The prams are provided by the nursery and each baby has his or her own mattress and bedding (which is laundered weekly), including an insect net. A member of staff stays with the sleeping infants at all times.
We always place babies on their back to go to sleep, and always use safety reins.
Transition from Ducklings to Caterpillars begins between the ages of 12 to 15 months, again depending on the child.