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 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.
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.
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.
Nursery Cook
Sammie is our Nursery Cook and responsible for making sure sure all our children are fed a Home cooked nutritious meals and puddings. Making everything from scratch and ensuring dietary needs are catered for keeps Sammie incredibly busy. But when she can escape the kitchen, she likes to help the children in the dining room to make sure they are enjoying her home cooked food.
Squirrels Room Leader
Kellie is our Hedgehog/ Squirrels Room Leader, Kellie is working towards her Level 3 qualification and helps transition the children when they are ready to become a Fox.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Early Years Practitioner
Judith has a Level 3 and is our bank staff member. She resides in Foxes and will find Judith very messy, due to her higher level qualifications BA degree and a Masters in the Arts.
Foxes Practitioner
Eloise is one of our longest serving and key members of staff. She is based in Foxes and has just achieved her Level 3. Eloise works Term-Time-Only.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Nursery Practitioner
Codie works in all of the rooms, and makes sure all the children and parents know when she is in the building. Codie covers in the kitchen, which is her other passion and qualified Chef.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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!”
“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
“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.”
“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.”
This is another perfect reason why we have been adopting the Curiosity Approach.
The baby puts everything in their mouth or attempts to which is typical of that age range.
But what is interesting is by finding loose bits from around your house; keys, remote, hair brush, bottles, etc. Keeps a child more amused than man made toys.
#curosityapproach #lessplastic #reuse #recycle
Baby Toys Vs. Random Things
Story of This Life
Three kids in and we have this theory about babies and baby toys... so for fun we tested it out on Aubrie the other day and I think it's safe to say we were right 😂
Cute! Reminded me of this article too. So great that you're using this simple approach 🙂 www.janetlansbury.com/2010/12/creative-toys-engage-babies/
Please share, to stop people putting children in car seats with coats on!
Why winter coats are dangerous in a child car seat
Good Egg Safety
With temperatures dropping PLEASE remember that winter coats and car seats don't mix!
How to keep your child warm: bit.ly/2eVxGLs
