Outstanding care for Nursery / Pre-School Children

My son has attended BLH Toddlers, and more recently the Nursery since he was 4 months old and on the basis of his experiences, and mine, I cannot recommend this facility highly enough. The rural location is in itself reason enough to get your child on to the waiting list. Set in a purpose-built unit in its own grounds, adjacent to the village school, the area is free from passing traffic (except the odd tractor and low-flying jet - which my son loves anyway) and offers fresh air, an excellent and secure outdoor play area, trees, nature, open views and easy car-parking for the drop-off and collection. There is a working dairy farm just down the road which also delights the youngsters as - if you're a bit late for the morning drop-off, you'll be stuck behind 200 cows ambling down the road for milking time! Its really exciting! The facilities for children are also excellent. The unit itself is fully adaptable inside and currently provides 2 specifically designed areas; one for Nursery children and one for Pre-School children. The Nursery section is laid out in such a way that a child can wander safely between activity areas, even take themselves off to the loo if they're feeling confident enough, all closely watched and supported by the staff. My son got through potty training in a week and I know it was down to the support and structured help he received whilst at Nursery. Toys, learning materials etc., are first class and stocks are replenished and updated on a regular basis. My son has his favourites (he's at that obsessive age) and, if he cannot find the tractor he wants, or the train he was playing with last week, he only has to ask and the staff know exactly where to look to find it for him! Even for the youngest children there is structure to the sessions; registration where they all sit down togther on cushions, say good morning to each other, talk about what they got up to at the weekend etc, there is a craft session for those who can sit still long enough, toilet time, snacktime, outdoor play, more play, lunchtime, wind-down time etc. My son now reminds me that I should go to the loo before lunch! And wash your hands mummy! Staffing at the Nursery is the biggest reassurance to my mind - I know that my son is loved and cared for whilst he is there - not just "looked after". The staff do not baby-talk or patronise their charges, they engage in proper conversation with them, improve their vocabulary, get them to laugh and give them a hug if they're feeling a bit low. In almost 3 years staffing levels have increased (with demand) but turnover of staff is non-existant meaning that my son has literally grown up with these happy, friendly people and knows their names, what jokes they can have together etc. The backbone of this facility is the relationship it has with the parents. Although the Manager has secured a lot of grant funding to improve the facilities, a great deal of the cash, creativity and hard work has come from the parents, the committee and the staff themselves. Everyone is offered the chance to help out with the continuous improvement of the place; painting the wooden castle in the outdoor play area, planting up flower beds, organising fund-raisers etc. The results are plain to see - this is no 'port-a-kabin' with a fence round it, it is an activity wonderland with a climbing zone, a sensory area, an area for bombing round on bikes, sand pit, fountain etc. The Manager has obviously worked wonders turning a bare unit into a thriving, colourful, brilliantly thought-out facility where children are happy to play, they are warm, cared for, indulged ever so slightly, and provided with the support and opportunity to feel confident and learn at their own pace. How she has managed to do this without charging a huge hourly rate I will never know. I have been told that the Committee are not there to make a profit and I personally think they could charge in excess of 4 times the amount they do - and still be full every day - such is the confidence and support they invoke. I will be moving from the area in the next couple of months and it breaks my heart to drag my son away from this home from home. It is with some degree of trepidation that I must try to find a replacement nursery and pre-school provider for him that can match up to my expectations set by BLH Pre-School and Toddlers. An absolute gem of a place - it should be used as an Ofsted template and a benchmark for all Day Care Providers. C Lock.

Caroline Lock - 17/09/2007 | report this review