A Day in the Life of OBVNS
Helping your little ones begin on the right foot!
Breakfast club is available from 8:15 a.m. and the nursery morning session runs from 9:00 a.m until 12:00 p.m. with a timetable of activities where the children can learn, explore, and learn across all areas of the early years curriculum.
Full day sessions run from 9.00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. and includes a two-course cooked meal.
At OBVNS, we believe it is important for your little ones to experience a variety of experiences both inside and outside, with appropriate levels of independence and under close supervision of our dedicated teaching team. They learn through child-initiated play.
The wonderful thing about OBVNS is that no day is ever the same!
A glimpse into what an average day with us might look like for your child:
8:15 a.m.
Early Bird club
Our early starters begin their day in Early Bird Club, where they can play, read in the cosy corner, build with blocks, explore small world resources, and create art at the art station. In the early bird club, we offer milk or water along with a breakfast snack like cereal, toast or fruit. This session ends at 9 a.m., when children transition to their regular groupings and the rest of the nursery opens for the day.
9:00 a.m.
Doors open
The nursery day begins at 9 a.m. for most of our children. When they arrive, we encourage them to take off their wellies, hang up their coat and come inside. By the end of their settling-in period, most children feel comfortable doing this by themselves. In some cases, it might take a bit more time, and we ask parents to collaborate with our team to make mornings smoother for their children. Our staff members help children settle in at the start of the day, involve them in engaging learning activities, and provide extra reassurance to those who might feel a bit sad when saying goodbye.
10:00 a.m.
Snack cafe
Our Snack Cafe serves as a chance for social interaction and helps children develop independence in taking care of their health. When the cafe sign is green, children know to find an empty chair. They keep playing until a chair is free. When they spot an available spot, they wash their hands, pour milk or water, and pick a mix of fruits and a dry snack like a cracker or rice cake. After they're done, children wash their cup and go back to playing.
10:45 a.m.
Free play
Our little ones understand that they can choose to play across all areas of the setting both inside and out. When they want to play outside, our children put on their suitable outdoor clothes, and can go to the garden with the help from an adult - usually within a small group. We use walkie-talkies for staff communication, simplifying toileting and maintaining appropriate ratios. For children who may be hesitant about outdoor play, we motivate them to try it while ensuring our activities indoors and outdoors cater to their preferences and needs.
11:45 a.m.
Story and rhyme time
Every day before lunch, we gather together on the mat to enjoy a story or a rhyme. We have fun with rhymes, joining in with refrains and laughing at the various voices our teachers use to bring the characters to life. This moment also serves as an opportunity to strengthen our Makaton skills with the sign of the week and to celebrate events in our children's lives.
12:00 p.m.
Lunchtime
After our midday leavers have departed, we wash our hands and gather together for our meal. During this time, both practitioners and children sit together at small tables, enjoying a tasty two-course meal provided by our nursery caterer. Children play an active role in helping to clear their plates after lunch, and enjoy sitting together chatting about the events of the morning. By the time they leave us our Fledglings are confidently able to sit at a table and use cutlery - a great skills that prepares them well for their onward journey to school.
12:45 p.m.
Afternoon
We provide our children with ample room and time to enjoy their dinner. After they're done, they wash up and head back to the Little Owls room for playtime. At 1:30 pm, the option to freely explore the garden is available again, allowing children to decide if they want to go outside once more. During this period, our practitioners continue to guide children's learning as they did in the morning. Occasionally, we might use this afternoon session for a nearby walk or other group activities such as cooking, mindfulness or gardening..
2:45 p.m.
Home time
As the day concludes, we gather together in the smaller room for a song, a game, or a story. Parents are requested to pick up their children between 2:30 p.m. or 2:45 p.m.
Please note that our setting closes at 2:45 p.m. and children need to be collected by this time.