Routines
The Outdoors
At The Mount Nursery, we understand the vital importance of outdoor play for young children. It provides a wealth of opportunities to explore, develop physical skills, engage in problem-solving, and stimulate creativity. Outdoor environments offer an open canvas for children to connect with nature, learn through exploration, and engage in active play—all of which are essential for their development according to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
Continuous Outdoor Access
Our 2024 classroom renovations have ensured that children have continuous access to our thoughtfully designed outdoor area. This space is filled with a variety of engaging and educational resources, enabling children to develop a range of skills throughout the day. Children can enjoy climbing activities on our climbing wall and frame, explore water and sand play, cook in the mud kitchen, and participate in building and construction activities. The outdoor stage area is a highlight, where children can dress up, perform, and use microphones, instruments, and music, fostering their imagination and confidence.
Additionally, tuff trays provide the perfect space for a variety of sensory and table-top activities, encouraging fine motor development and problem-solving. For those with a passion for active play, our astroturf area offers plenty of space for bike riding, scooter races, and football games, while the school grounds provide the perfect setting for seasonal exploration and bug hunts.
Learning through Imagination and Creativity
Outdoor play at The Mount Nursery is designed to promote all areas of development in the EYFS framework. Our children’s imagination is nurtured through creative activities like den building, role play, and using open-ended natural materials such as sticks, stones, and fabric. These activities encourage problem-solving, collaboration, and creative thinking, helping children to express themselves and develop cognitive and fine motor skills.
We embrace an in-the-moment planning approach, ensuring that learning opportunities are based on children’s current interests. Whether it’s a spontaneous adventure exploring the school grounds, creating a new structure in the sandpit, or engaging in sensory play with natural materials, our outdoor area is a dynamic and enriching environment for children to explore and grow.
Connecting with Nature and Exploration
In addition to our dedicated outdoor space, we make full use of the school grounds for exploration and learning. These experiences foster curiosity, build environmental awareness, and enhance observational skills. Children have the freedom to explore, problem-solve, and engage in hands-on learning that supports their overall development.
At The Mount Nursery, we believe that outdoor play is essential for a child's growth and development. Our outdoor space is designed to encourage independence, resilience, and teamwork, providing endless opportunities for adventure. From climbing and balancing to digging and constructing, children develop physical strength and coordination while building confidence in their abilities. Open-ended materials, including pegs for den building and props that inspire imaginative play, allow children to take the lead in their learning, sparking creativity and critical thinking.
Whether working together to build a structure, acting out stories on our stage, or experimenting with water and sand, children develop key skills in a natural, engaging environment. With fresh air, movement, and open-ended exploration at the heart of our outdoor learning, every day is an opportunity to discover, create, and grow.
Milk and Mealtimes
At The Mount Nursery, we recognise that mealtimes and milk feeds are an essential part of your child’s day, not just for nutrition but for comfort, bonding, and establishing healthy habits. We work closely with families to ensure that every child’s individual needs and preferences are met, creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
Milk for Babies
For our youngest children, we provide a wide range of milk options to suit your family’s preferences. Whether you choose formula, expressed breastmilk, or a specific brand of milk, we will ensure that your baby is fed according to your wishes and their schedule. Our team is trained to handle breastmilk with care and to maintain high standards of hygiene during preparation and feeding.
We also understand that feeding times are personal and significant moments for babies. Our practitioners take time to create a calm and nurturing atmosphere during feeds, supporting each child’s comfort and emotional wellbeing. We encourage open communication with families to align with your routines and preferences.
Transitioning to Cow’s Milk
As your child approaches 12 months and begins the transition to cow’s milk, we are here to support this important milestone. We offer whole milk as part of our provision, ensuring it is served fresh and at the appropriate times during the day. For children with allergies, intolerances, or specific preferences, we also provide alternatives such as oat milk, soya milk, or rice milk. Families are encouraged to share any dietary needs or preferences so we can adapt accordingly and ensure consistency between home and nursery.
Supporting Milk Needs for Toddlers and Pre Schoolers
As children grow, their milk needs evolve. For toddlers and preschoolers, milk remains an important source of nutrition, often served during snacks or mealtimes. At The Mount Nursery, we make this a positive and social experience, helping children develop independence by encouraging them to hold their own cups or feed themselves where appropriate.
We ensure that milk provision aligns with your child’s dietary requirements, cultural practices, or personal preferences. By offering a range of milk options, we aim to support each child’s unique needs while fostering their independence and healthy habits.
Mealtimes at The Mount Nursery
At The Mount Nursery, we believe mealtimes should be enjoyable, nurturing, and an important part of a child’s daily routine. Our approach to food is centred around offering balanced, nutritious meals while supporting children’s developmental needs and fostering positive eating habits.
For Babies:
Babies at The Mount Nursery are offered a combination of purees and more textured foods as they develop their chewing and swallowing skills. We follow the guidance of introducing smooth purees and then gradually moving to chunkier textures. For those following baby-led weaning (BLW), we encourage self-feeding with soft, manageable foods that babies can explore, taste, and enjoy at their own pace. This approach supports their development of motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and confidence with food.
For Toddlers:
At The Mount Nursery, toddlers are supported through their growing independence at mealtimes. We offer a range of nutritious meals designed to suit their developing tastes and eating skills. As toddlers begin to explore more solid foods, they are encouraged to self-feed with finger foods and practice using utensils. Mealtimes are a chance for toddlers to experiment with different textures, build their social skills, and enjoy interacting with their peers. We provide a calm and inviting environment for them to enjoy their meals, and our team is always on hand to offer support and guidance to help them develop positive mealtime habits and a love of food.
For Pre Schoolers:
At mealtime, Pre School children are offered a balanced and nutritious meal to fuel their day. We provide a choice of milk or water with each meal, and on Fridays, a refreshing juice option is available. Children are encouraged to develop independence by using cutlery and participating in mealtime routines. We also focus on social skills, promoting good table manners and encouraging conversations with friends and staff. Meals are served in the school hall, where Pre-Schoolers enjoy the communal atmosphere and develop their sense of responsibility and self-confidence.
Breakfast
The day begins with a healthy breakfast tailored to give children the energy they need to thrive. Babies and toddlers enjoy their breakfast in the comfort of their own rooms, while Pre School children enjoy theirs in the Cedar Annex.
Lunch at The Mount Nursery
At The Mount Nursery, our talented chef, Louise Clark, prepares fresh, wholesome meals tailored to each child's individual dietary needs and preferences. Meals are thoughtfully planned to ensure they provide the right balance of nutrients while supporting children's developmental stages.
High Tea
High tea is a lighter meal prepared by our nursery staff and enjoyed in each age group’s own nursery room. This ensures a calm, familiar environment where children can wind down with their peers and teachers. High tea provides a chance for children to enjoy a variety of light, healthy options and continue developing their independence and table skills.
Snacks
In addition to their main meals, children are offered a morning and afternoon snack each day. These snacks consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, providing an extra boost of energy and nutrition to fuel their play and learning.
Salad Bar and Desserts for All Children
All children are invited to explore healthy options from our salad bar, where they can choose from a variety of fresh vegetables. Desserts are also designed with children’s health in mind, offering wholesome options like yoghurt, fresh fruit, or chef-prepared treats. These options help children develop a love for nutritious foods and expand their tastes in a fun and engaging way.
Supporting Dietary Needs and Allergies
We are committed to accommodating all dietary requirements and allergies to ensure every child feels safe, included, and well-nourished at mealtimes. Whether it’s vegetarian, gluten-free, or allergen-specific needs, we work closely with families to create tailored meal plans.
As a nut-free nursery and school, we take every precaution to ensure the safety of children with nut allergies. This includes rigorous checks on ingredients and meals, along with clear communication with staff and parents to prevent any risk of exposure.
Careful attention is given to food preparation, and our team is trained to manage dietary restrictions with the utmost care. By creating an inclusive and safe dining environment, we ensure all children can enjoy their meals confidently and happily.
Encouraging Mealtime Skills
At The Mount Nursery, we believe mealtimes are an opportunity for children to develop essential life skills. During meals, we actively encourage children to use cutlery correctly, practice good table manners, and engage in meaningful social conversations with their peers. This is a time for children to practice independence and learn to make healthy food choices, which supports their overall growth and development.
Sleep at The Mount Nursery
At The Mount Nursery, we recognise the vital importance of rest and sleep in supporting young children's development and well-being. Our approach to sleep is centred on creating a calm, safe, and comfortable environment tailored to the needs of each child, following the latest safe sleep guidance from The Lullaby Trust.
Babies and Toddlers
Babies and toddlers sleep in their own room after lunch, with additional naps offered at different times throughout the day based on their individual routines and needs. To ensure minimal disruption, a section of the room is thoughtfully cornered off to provide a quiet, soothing space for rest.
For children aged 6 months to 20 months, we use Community Play Dream Coracles—gentle, ergonomic sleep pods that cradle babies in a snug and secure space. As they grow, children transition to sleep mats, ensuring a comfortable and consistent rest environment. Parents are encouraged to provide a sleep bag, as recommended by The Lullaby Trust, to help maintain a safe and familiar sleep routine.
A Calming and Safe Sleep Environment
To promote restful sleep, the room is filled with soft, calming music and soothing sounds. Staff ensure the space is dimly lit to create a relaxing atmosphere. The room temperature is carefully monitored to remain between 16–20°C, in line with safe sleep recommendations, ensuring children remain comfortable without overheating.
Children are gently supported to fall asleep in a way that mirrors their routines at home, helping them feel secure and at ease. If your child has a favourite blanket or comforter, we are happy to accommodate this, as long as it meets safe sleep guidelines. Comforters must be small, breathable, and used in accordance with our safety policies to ensure children can sleep securely.
If your child uses a dummy, we will ensure it is kept clean and used only during sleep times if this is part of their routine. The Lullaby Trust suggests that using a dummy when settling a baby to sleep may reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). However, if a child falls asleep without their dummy, we will not reinsert it. Parents are encouraged to provide a spare dummy, which will be stored hygienically at nursery.
Safety and Monitoring
Our team has received specialised sleep training, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to manage sleep routines safely and effectively. Babies are monitored throughout their sleep and checked on every 10 minutes to ensure they are comfortable, secure, and sleeping soundly. We follow The Lullaby Trust's safe sleep recommendations, including placing babies on their backs to sleep and keeping sleep spaces free from loose bedding, pillows, and toys.
Parents are kept fully informed through our nursery app, where sleep times are logged. You will receive notifications of when your child has gone to sleep and when they have woken up.
Waking Up and Transitioning
When children wake, they are gently transitioned to a play area in another section of the room, ensuring they can rejoin activities in their own time without disturbing their sleeping peers. This thoughtful approach helps children feel refreshed and ready to engage with their surroundings after rest.
If your child has specific sleep needs, we work closely with families to support individual routines and ensure every child feels secure and well-rested during their time with us.
Toileting
At The Mount Nursery, we understand that toilet training is an important developmental milestone. We are committed to providing a supportive, child-led approach to toileting, working closely with families to help children gain independence and confidence.
Our Facilities
In each room, we have a dedicated changing room, two child-sized toilets, and an accessible sink to ensure comfort, hygiene, and ease of use for all children. These facilities create a positive and supportive environment, helping children feel secure as they progress through different stages of toileting.
We provide nappies and sensitive wipes, ensuring all children receive the care they need while keeping the process as gentle as possible.
How We Support Toileting at Every Stage
To promote restful sleep, the room is filled with soft, calming music and soothing sounds. Staff ensure the space is dimly lit to create a relaxing atmosphere. The room temperature is carefully monitored to remain between 16–20°C, in line with safe sleep recommendations, ensuring children remain comfortable without overheating.
Children are gently supported to fall asleep in a way that mirrors their routines at home, helping them feel secure and at ease. If your child has a favourite blanket or comforter, we are happy to accommodate this, as long as it meets safe sleep guidelines. Comforters must be small, breathable, and used in accordance with our safety policies to ensure children can sleep securely.
If your child uses a dummy, we will ensure it is kept clean and used only during sleep times if this is part of their routine. The Lullaby Trust suggests that using a dummy when settling a baby to sleep may reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). However, if a child falls asleep without their dummy, we will not reinsert it. Parents are encouraged to provide a spare dummy, which will be stored hygienically at nursery.
Babies (0-2 years)
- We follow each child's individual toileting routine, changing nappies regularly in a calm and respectful manner.
- Changing times take place in the bathroom area to help familiarize babies with toileting routines.
- We observe readiness cues for toilet training and communicate with parents to plan a smooth transition.
Toddlers (2-3 years)
- We work closely with parents to identify signs of readiness, such as longer dry periods or an interest in the toilet.
- Children are encouraged to sit on the toilet or potty as part of a relaxed and pressure-free routine.
- We introduce handwashing routines and basic hygiene skills to promote independence.
Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- We support children in becoming fully independent in their toileting routines, assisting only when needed.
- Accidents are handled discreetly and calmly, reinforcing a positive and shame-free approach.
- Children are encouraged to wipe independently, flush the toilet, and wash their hands properly.
- For those who need extra support, we offer tailored strategies to build confidence.
Working in Partnership with Parents
We believe consistency is key to successful toilet training. Our team maintains open communication with families to ensure routines are aligned between nursery and home. We also provide guidance based on ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity, to support parents with any challenges they may encounter.
At The Mount Nursery, our goal is to make the transition to toileting independence a positive, stress-free experience, empowering children to develop confidence and essential life skills.
Please complete our enquiry form by clicking on the link below:
Our dedicated team is committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where your child can thrive.
Yours faithfully,
Demi Scott
Nursery Manager
