Forest Friends Day Nursery | Canal Basin

Hedgehogs

3-12 months
Our Hedgehogs are non-mobile babies. Their room is presented to help encourage physical development, with a variety of activities including the outdoors, sensory play, a black and white area and natural resources. We closely follow each child’s routine from home.

Our staff/child ratio in this room is 3:1.

Squirrels

12-24 months
Our Squirrels are more mobile babies, and this room encourages exploration and investigation with focus on the ‘Prime’ areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We have a dedicated sleep-room which allows the children a tranquil and calm place to rest.

Our staff/child ratio in this room is 3:1.

Foxes

24-36 months
Foxes are based across two rooms, which helps us offer the ‘7 Areas of Learning’. The nursery routine becomes more structured and helps with the upward move into Owls. Foxes and Owls are based upstairs in our Over 2’s Unit, with set free flow times between the two.

Our staff/child ratio in this room is 4:1.

Owls

3+ years
In Owls we focus on key skills to help prepare for school. With a more structured routine, self-serving, self-choosing and encouraging independence, our owls become ready for Reception class. Based across two rooms, including free-flow times with Foxes.

Our staff/child ratio in this room is 8:1.

Childcare Funding Options

The government has introduced new ways to help parents with childcare costs. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support. Forest Friends Day Nursery will help you to understand the different funding options available to you at our nursery and pre-school. Click on the tabs above for more information, or visit the government’s Childcare Choices website. If you’d like to get in contact with us to discuss further, you will find our contact details and contact form here.

Are you eligible for 30 Hours Childcare Funding? 30 hour Childcare Funding Entitlement equates to 3 full days of early years education and childcare per week, as long as the child’s parents meet certain criteria as set out by government. See our Fees and Funding page to find out more.
Fees & Funding

Forest Friends Day Nursery have places available for 15 hours Childcare Funding Entitlement per week. Funding is provided by the government via your local council authority and we claim this from the authority on your behalf. Every 3 and 4 year old child is eligible for 15 hours of funding from the council. It applies at the beginning of the school term following the child’s 3rd birthday. See our Fees and Funding page to find out more.
Fees & Funding

Some 2 year old children in Coventry are eligible for the 2 Year-Old Childcare Funding Entitlement. It’s available to a small number of parents who fall within certain circumstances. If you think you might be eligible, give us a call, send us an email, or contact us on Facebook or Twitter.Contact Page

Tax-free Childcare is now the replacement for Childcare Vouchers. We are fully registered to accept Childcare Vouchers and Tax-free Childcare. For more information on eligibility, give us a call on 02476630885, or check out the Childcare Choices website. https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Our Mission & Values

WHAT'S OUR GOAL

At Forest Friends Day Nursery, our mission is to provide a friendly, caring and secure environment where your child’s happiness and well-being is paramount; with a dedicated team of Early Years Professionals committed to delivering the highest quality childcare and education for children from 3 months to 5 years.

Our Core Values:
• To create a stimulating environment to inspire the development of happy, healthy and educated children.
• To provide nourishing, wholesome and delicious home-cooked meals, made from fresh ingredients to promote healthy eating.
• To work in partnership with you at every stage of your child’s progression.
• To provide a setting that promotes equality and the values of diversity.
• Empowering children to form secure relationships and develop caring friendships.
• We encourage independence at all ages to build confidence and self-reliance in preparation for school.

Our Staff Team

OUR FABULOUS STAFF ARE WELL QUALIFIED AND HIGHLY COMMITED

Our staff team are a dedicated bunch of people who take a lot of pride in their work, ensuring your child’s day is filled with fun, educational activity and learning. Every child has a named member of staff known as a ‘key person’, who will have more contact with your child than any other staff member at the nursery. The key person will show a special interest in your child through personal interaction day to day, and is likely to be the person you will speak with if you need to discuss any aspect of your child’s care.

Becks

Operations Director

Becks is the Operations Director but is currently covering the Deputy Manager’s Maternity post in supporting Dyonne our Nursery Manager in the running of the Nursery.
Becks is our Ofsted Registered Person and is an Early Years Professional (Teacher Status).
From Becks’ extensive experience we have shaped Forest Friends to where it is today.

Dyonne

Nursery Manager

Dyonne is our Nursery Manager and is Level 3.
Dyonne works hard making sure the nursery operates smoothly, ensuring the Nursery ethos is never forgotten and makes Forest Friends what it is.
Mainly based in the office, but you will find her in all areas of the nursery.
Dyonne leads our amazing team and recently we were awarded our first ‘GOOD’ with OFSTED.

Alanah

Deputy Manager, Senior Room Leader & Under 2s Coordinator

Alanah is our Deputy Manager and has 11 years experience in childcare, with particular interest in Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Codie

Kitchen Manager

Codie is our Kitchen Manager and celebrates Forest Friends ethos with our fresh, home made cooking. Codie creates all our meals from scratch and is enthusiastic at trying out new recipes. Codie helps our children understand where food comes from and involves them with her cooking and offering them choice of food e.g.for snack.

Laura P

Squirrels Practitioner

Laura P is based in our Hedgehogs/Squirrels room and is busy finishing her BA Degree in Education. Laura always has a smile on her face and you will find her busy getting messy.

Toni

Squirrels Practitioner

Toni has a natural way with the children and they instantly smile when they see her. She really gets down to the children’s level and loves teaching through play. Currently trained to Level 2, Toni will carry on with her studies to Level 3.

Tania

Foxes Room Leader

Tania is Foxes Room Leader and works incredibly hard making sure her Foxes enjoy their time here at Forest Friends. Tania has just completed her Team Leading course and is utilising her new skills to; help further train and spend time with all the staff.

Laura D

Foxes Practitioner

Laura is Level 3 and works full time in Foxes. She’s incredibly creative, has lots of great ideas and also works in other rooms to help with children’s transitions.

Kara

Foxes Practitioner

Kara is based in our Foxes rooms and is Level 3. She is very creative and is utilising her school back ground to help with linking EYFS to school to help smooth the transition.

Charlotte

Owls Room Leader (Maternity Cover)

Charlotte has a Foundation Degree, and is working very closely with the Owls Team to ensure the Owls Room works effectively with a purposeful and relevant routine. Charlotte is our Outdoor Lead and you will find her outside in our large garden.

Matt

Owls Practitioner

Matt is based in our Owls Room and is a big hit with our Owls. Matt specialises in Special Educational Needs (SEN) and is one of our co-ordinators. Matt also is a lead for Behaviour Management.

Melissa

Owls Practitioner

Melissa is based in our Owls Room and works Term-Time-Only. Melissa is Level 3 and works Monday-Thursday. Melissa is liked by all of the children and likes getting creative and spending time in our Curiosity Room.

Miranda

Early Years Practitioner

Miranda has a Level 3 and is based in our Owls room. Miranda has several years of experience with children and always has a smile on her face.

Claire

Early Years Practitioner

Claire has a BA Hons in Early Years and is our staff team’s favourite member of staff as she is our lunch cover staff member. Claire works Term Time Only 11-3pm. You may find your children talk about her but you don’t get the opportunity to meet her.

Suzy

Apprentice

Suzy has joined Forest Friends as an apprentice. Suzy works in all the rooms and is enjoying her time at Nursery.She works full time and attends college on a Tuesday.

Hannah

Owls Room Leader

Hannah has achieved her Foundation Degree which qualifies her at Level 5. Hannah is very passionate about independence, free choice and the children being part of their own learning. Utilising her qualifications and further education, Hannah will ensure we are ahead of the game to fully enhance our children’s learning and development.

Leigh-Anne (on Maternity Leave)

Foxes Practitioner

Leigh-Anne is based in our Foxes Room and works Term-Time-Only. Leigh-Anne is a keen member of this room and helps our children fully understand the Foxes routine.

Testimonials

WHAT OUR PARENTS SAY ABOUT US

“Everyone at Forest Friends Day Nursery, thank you for being part of our story. We love you and appreciate your dedicated service to us. Have a brilliant summer.”

“Thank you for all your help and support in raising our little man. Thank you for all the time and attention you have gave him. Wish you all the best. You are doing a great job.”

“Thank you to everyone at Forest Friends Day Nursery. Thank you for the amazing care you have provided for Eliza. Thank you Tania for the special bond and care you have with Eliza. Thank you to all the staff. Eliza will miss you all and the kids. Thank you for this journey.”Love, Eliza’s Parents. xoxo

“Thank you to everyone at Forest Friends Day Nursery. Thank you for the amazing care you have provided for our little girl. Thank you Tania for the special bond an care you have with her. Thank you to all the staff. D will miss you all and the kids. Thank you for this journey.”

“Everyone at Forest Friends Day Nursery, thank you for being part of our story. We love you and appreciate your dedicated service to us. Have a brilliant summer. See you in September!”

“To everybody at Forest Friends Day Nursery. Thank you for all of your hard work. The dedication and concern you show us is beyond words. Your encouragement over the last 4 years has helped our boy develop into the kind, caring, clever, funny boy that he is today, and for that I am very grateful. He has really enjoyed his time with you all and will miss you all very much (especially his key person, Eloise). You have all given our boy a fantastic start in life that we will always remember. Thank you for everything.”

“To Becks, Dionne, Chloe, Eloise, Codie, Tania & all of Forest Friends Team. Thank you for all your help & support with our boy. We will miss you lots. All the best to you all & wishing Forest Friends great success in the future. Love & best wishes.”

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