If you want quality, a happy and developing child, parental involvement and a dynamic nursery with a natural desire to continually improve then look no further.
Our son has attended Graces since October 2011. He has since moved up to the next room fairly recently. It is a joy to see how much he has developed and how happy he is every time he is there. It is a genuine happiness and even at the tender age of 3, he has some strong bonds with friends in the room and with the happy hard working staff.
It was a big decision for us to put him into a nursery. We therefore viewed lots of local nurseries and can say without bias and completely open minded, Graces? stood out by miles. Your children are your most prized possession and only the best will be acceptable. If we had to put our son into a nursery, then it had to be meaningful and worthwhile. He had to gain from it by way of his A). development and B). most importantly, his happiness.
This standalone nursery does not feel like a business, at its core is the welfare of the children and more than that, the continual drive to improve and remain innovative and strive to exceed the norm. The directors are not only actively involved and passionate directors, more than that, they are parents. The ethos of the whole team at Grace?s is 2 way communication, they are proactive and also have a desire for parental input into the future development of the nursery. There is an honest and open door policy.
We don?t feel like a number as parents and our son most certainly is not just a number to the staff. The food is healthy and fresh ? cooked on site, and never restricted. The garden, which is used in all weathers, is big and has different zones of interest and activity. A free flow system operates. In side there are plenty of appropriate activities in a gently nurturing and caring environment including an indoor soft play area. They are rated outstanding in all OFSTED categories ? and you can easily see why. Regular records are kept in daily diaries and in-depth developments against the early years foundation curriculum are well detailed in learning journals including with photos. Outings are regularly planned ? china town, London aquarium, the beach, family BBQ?s and also third party extracurricular events take place at the nursery, like French lessons.
It?s a real home-from-home experience and our son even thinks the staff live there and he is just at their house when he is there. When a member of staff he knows is on leave, he thinks they have gone out to work!
The staff take time to talk to you, know you by name, and even visit you and your child at home before enrolling, which really benefited our son. Our son?s key worker even took the time to update his learning journal in her own time. They gave us advice, and then followed through by backing up and supporting us during things like potty training. The practitioners have real passion and devotion. Nothing is too much trouble. There is a strong relationship between all the rooms and the staff, at all levels, making integration and progression through the nursery for your child seamless. There is real support from management to the practitioners and a unique bond created with the children. Children are guided using positive teaching and good behaviour is supported.
We cannot praise and recommend this nursery enough and it will be a sad day when our son has to move on and go to school.