YMCA Green Shoots Nursery, Trowbridge

Green Shoots Day Nursery was opened in April 2004 under the Neighbourhood Nursery Initiative with funding being received from New Opportunities Fund Building Neighbourhood Nurseries Programme and the Lottery Fund. It is a purpose built nursery all on one level. It is set in the grounds of Studley Green Primary School has been managed by Bath YMCA since May 2010.

Green Shoots plays an important part in the local community. Childcare is of an exceptional standard and this was evidenced by the latest Ofsted inspection which pronounced the nursery as Outstanding. An innovative staff team that constantly strive to introduce new play based activities and encourage as much outdoor play as possible. Manager Heather Wood recognises the importance of healthy eating, for example, she only allows chips to feature on the menu once a year at the annual fancy dress Beach Party – when children and staff eat fish and chips together and play in the many tons of sand shipped in for the event.

Green Shoots offers full time, part-time and sessional care for children from 3 months to 5 years.

Play Based Learning

Daily activities are based on the new Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and is enhanced by great staff and a high standard of resources and equipment.

The curriculum divides into 4 areas of learning:

1. A unique child
2. Positive relationships
3. Enabling development
4. Learning and development

The learning goals are:

Communication, language and literacy
Personal, social and emotional development
Mathematical development
Knowledge and understanding of the World
Physical development
Creative development

We incorporate all of the above strategies in delivering our activities that help develop children’s confidence, self-esteem and inter-personal skills.

Inside

There are three distinct areas within the nursery each offering care for different age groups; all bright and airy and well lit. The rooms are divided into:

Buttercups - 3 months to 2 years (approx) – this is the baby unit with a homely and relaxed atmosphere. All staff in this room are trained in working with children under two and understand how difficult it is to leave your child. Your child will be allocated a key person who works closely with you to ensure we provide the care you require. The staff / child ration for this age is 1:3 and the unit can accommodate 12 babies.
Daisies – 2 years to 3 years (approx) – as your child grows and develops he or she needs to be in a safe and secure environment where they can explore. Within Daisies, your child will be encouraged to try new activities and socialise with children their own age. The children are given opportunities planned by their key person which will stimulate them and encourage them to develop at their own pace. This room benefits from an enclosed wooden play deck which allows easy outside access and lots of fresh air. The staff / child ratio for this age is 1:4 and the unit can accommodate up to 16 children.
Sunflowers – 3 to 5 years – as your child nears three they are ready for new challenges. Our staff plan and organise sessions that are aimed at encouraging your child to learn through play and exploration and promoting independence to prepare them for school life. Each child has a key person who will work closely with you and your child. All areas of the curriculum are covered offering every opportunity for your child to reach their full potential. The staff / child ratio for this age is 1:8

Outside

We make full use of every inch of our outdoor space at Green Shoots. In our garden we grow fruit and vegetables, have extensive play equipment, and use the grass area for different activities depending on the time of year. In the summer we build shelters that enable the children to play outside all year. In the wetter and colder months, waterproofs and wellies are a necessity as we splash in puddles, kick leaves and enjoy the various seasons. Each month the children particularly enjoy seeing who the latest guests are in their Bug Hotel – designed and built by the children (with a little help) for the bugs!

Healthy Eating

During the nursery day we provide breakfast (8.00am – 8.45) a hot lunch ( 12 noon) and an afternoon light tea ( 4.00pm) along with snack times mid morning and mid afternoon. All meals and snack times are designed to be sociable and special dietary needs can be accommodated. All meals are produced by our own cook who carefully plans the menu, in agreement with the Nursery Manager, to promote healthy eating. Children attending for a full day have all meals and snacks provided and the costs are included in the fees. Children attending funded sessions will receive a healthy snack with milk or water to drink. Meals can be purchased additionally by notifying the staff.

Holiday and After Schools Club

At Green Shoots we aim to provide wrap around care to make working parents lives an easy one. Finding suitable out of school provision can create problems for working parents. We offer an out of schools club for children aged 5 – 8 years. Both our After School and Holiday Club are run in the Garden Room. We offer fun activities, trips and much more.

Sessions Times and Prices

The nursery is registered for 55 children and offers full day care, half days and sessional care.

Opening times are Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm 51 weeks of the year. The nursery is closed between Christmas and New Year

We offer the following sessions:

Morning Afternoon

Nursery Education Grant Sessions 8.45am – 11.45am 1pm - 4pm

Half Day Care 8.00am – 1pm 1pm – 6pm

Full Day Care 8am – 6pm

	Morning	Afternoon
Nursery Education Grant Sessions	8.45am – 11.45am	1pm - 4pm
Half Day Care	8.00am – 1pm	1pm – 6pm
Full Day Care	8am – 6pm

Fees as of 1 June 2009

	Half Day Care Fee	All Day Fee
Children under 2	£21.50	£43.00
Children over 2	£20.50	£41.00
Holiday club	£22.00	£44.00
After School Club 3pm-6pm	£13.20

Registration

Prospective parents / carers are welcome to view the nursery at any time as we have a open door policy and appointments are not neccessary to look around. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.