Holistic wellbeing and Inspiring adventures

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Our approach to early education focuses on nurturing the whole child. Our holistic approach supports a child's emotional wellbeing, physical health, confidence, curiosity and sense of belonging. We provide children with meaningful experiences that encourage them to explore, investigate and develop a lifelong love of learning.

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Exploring Our Community

We believe the world around us is the best learning environment. Our children enjoy regular adventures beyond the nursery, developing their independence, confidence and understanding of the community they are part of.

You will often see us out and about in our high-visibility jackets, exploring the local area and discovering new experiences. Our adventures include visits to local parks and woodlands, trips to the shops, libraries, bus journeys, visits to the airport, community walks and spending time in local cafés and shared spaces.

These experiences help children develop important life skills, from communication and problem-solving to understanding the world around them.

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Outdoor Learning & Nature- Our Love of the Outdoors

Being outdoors is a big part of everyday life at Nightingale Nursery. We believe children benefit enormously from having the freedom to explore, play and learn outside, so we make the most of our outdoor spaces every day, whatever the weather.

We have plenty of spare wellies and puddle suits for children to borrow, so a little rain never gets in the way of an adventure. We want every child to have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, get muddy, explore and experience the changing seasons.

The focus of our outdoor learning is all about giving children the freedom to be curious. They plant seeds, grow fruit and vegetables, care for wildlife, explore local woodland, investigate bugs and discover the natural world around them. These simple, hands-on experiences provide wonderful opportunities for children to learn, ask questions, solve problems and develop confidence.

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Outdoor Inspired Experiences

Our outdoor-inspired sessions are an important part of our approach to early education. They give children the time and space to explore nature at their own pace, try new things and learn through real experiences.

Children are encouraged to take appropriate risks, work together, make decisions and develop their independence and resilience. Whether they are building a den, searching for minibeasts, collecting natural treasures or simply enjoying being outside, there is always something to discover.

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Healthy Living & Wellbeing

Promoting healthy lifestyles is central to our nursery ethos. Through our baking and cooking experiences, children learn about nutrition, healthy choices, food preparation and good hygiene practices. Our weekly baking sessions provide opportunities for children to develop confidence, independence and practical skills while exploring different ingredients and recipes. We also celebrate diversity by preparing and tasting foods from different cultures, helping children develop an appreciation of the wider world.

We encourage children to stay active through daily movement, outdoor play, woodland walks and opportunities to explore their surroundings. Our dedicated wellbeing approach is supported by our Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator (PANCo), who helps us promote healthy habits and positive choices throughout nursery life.

We support children to develop positive habits around oral health and healthy eating from an early age, following the guidance and advice provided by the Derbyshire and Leicestershire Oral Health Teams.

Our menus are carefully planned in line with the latest nutritional guidance from Ofsted, ensuring children are offered a healthy, balanced and varied diet. All of our meals are freshly prepared and home cooked, using nutritious ingredients to provide children with the energy they need to learn, play and grow. We understand that every child is different, and we are experienced in catering for a wide range of dietary requirements, allergies and preferences. We work closely with families to ensure that every child has safe, nutritious meals and, most importantly, something they will enjoy eating.

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Caring for Our Planet

At Nightingale  Nursery, we are passionate about helping children understand the importance of caring for the environment. We encourage children to become responsible citizens by learning about sustainability, recycling, reducing waste and reusing resources wherever possible.

Children are actively involved in caring for their environment through activities such as planting, growing, litter picking and looking after nature. We believe that even small actions can make a big difference and help children develop respect for the world around them.

We promote the use of natural and recycled resources throughout our nursery. Our open-ended resources encourage creativity, imagination, problem-solving and curiosity, allowing children to explore, experiment and create in their own unique ways.

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Strong Community Connections

Being part of our local community is something we are extremely proud of. We have built long-standing relationships with local schools, businesses and community groups, creating valuable connections that support children as they grow and develop.

At Nightingale Nursery, we are more than just a childcare setting. We are a warm, welcoming community where children feel happy, secure and at home, and where families feel valued and supported every step of the way.

We pride ourselves on creating a true home-from-home experience, where every child is encouraged to grow into a confident, curious and caring individual. Our dedicated practitioners are at the heart of everything we do. We carefully select people we trust to provide the same high standard of care we would want for our own children — and we’re proud that our own children attend Nightingale Nursery too. This means we understand, both personally and professionally, how important it is to know that your child is happy, safe, loved and well cared for. 

Our nursery is also a place where generations grow together. Some of our parents who once attended Nightingale Nursery now bring their own children to us. Even more special, some of our staff members were once children at Nightingale Nursery themselves and have returned to become part of the team.

We believe this is a wonderful reflection of the nurturing, positive and lasting experience we strive to create — a place where children can feel they truly belong, build strong relationships and make memories that last a lifetime.

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