
THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW
Highlighting best practice
2| LITTLE DOTS DAYCARE
meals prepared by our very own
mother, who all the children call Nanny
Kitchen, in addition to a stimulating
and engaging environment with a
free-flow structure to the outdoor
learning space. We opened our doors
in August 2012 and within 12 months
we were at full capacity and starting
to think about ways to expand. By
2015 we had plans in place for a new
preschool area, meaning we were able
to increase our provision to 70 places.
In 2017, another opportunity
presented itself, with the opportunity
to take on a second setting, a 70-place
nursery set in the beautiful grounds of
a country park estate. Again, it was in
much need of repair, so we set out to
develop a safe, warm and stimulating
environment, opening our doors
in2018.
Around the world in 80 teas
Clair and I are extremely passionate
about the importance of the early
years in child development. We
understand that offering education
that is both structured and fun results
in confident, happy and inquisitive
children. As a mum to two children
myself, I also understand how difficult
it can be to choose the right childcare.
Therefore, we offer a settling-in period
that helps our children get to grips
with their new surroundings and also
puts the parents’ minds at ease so they
can go back to work feeling safe in
the knowledge that their children are
happy, well cared for and content.
Within both settings we wanted
to offer a range of activities and
experiences for all of the children, so
every week we engage in cooking
activities. We have a dedicated sensory
room at each site with dedicated daily
sessions for smaller groups of children,
from the babies through to preschool.
We have changeable role-play areas,
physical space and cosy corners, while
using the garden and outdoor space to
create outdoor learning areas for all of
the children to enjoy.
We look at teas from around the world
and each week we talk about different
countries and the food they eat, and
then enjoy cooking these speciality
dishes while also greeting the children
each day in the chosen language for
that week. We encourage the children
from the age of two upwards to
engage in phonics sessions, which they
all love.
Children enjoying the
garden and outdoor areas
We wanted to
provide a
setting that
truly was a
home from
home
“
“