OUR ROOMS
Settling In At Maidstone
Before starting at Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery we recommend that your child attends settling in sessions as part of an Induction Process. Generally, this would begin a couple of weeks prior to the start date giving the child, parents and staff the opportunity to spend time together to get to know each other.
On the first visit we ask parents to complete a Care Plan and an ‘All About Me' form, which provides the staff information on the child’s routine, likes and dislikes. A bag will be requested for with a change of clothes, slippers and wellington boots and a named coat for your child.
At the end of each day you will be given a Communication Book for children under 3 years, this is completed by the Key Person, and will inform you of the activities that your child has enjoyed ,what your child has eaten and their general well-being throughout their day will us.
Baby Room
Baby room from 3 months old to when the child is confidentially walking
Our specially designed Baby Room is bright and airy and has an abundance of stimulating activities. There is a separate cot room, with individual cots and bedding. The babies enjoy sensory activities such as treasure baskets and malleable-messy activities to stimulate their senses. The Baby Room has been designed to be a comfortable. ‘Home from Home’, environment with a cosy feel whilst delivering all the areas of learning for a baby.
As our meals are prepared on site, all stages of the weaning process can be accommodated using fresh vegetables and fruit and the children sit together in a family group at meal times. Every effort is made to continue with routines established at home when babies first join us, but as they grow and develop meal times and ‘playtime's’ are sociable group activities.
The Key Person plans daily activities to extend the child's learning and development, relating to the Prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Toddler Room
Ages: 1 year to 2 years old
Toddler’s remain in this room from the age of 12 months to 2 year old. However, as with all our rooms this is dependent on the development of the child rather than their age. Although this room is independent of the baby room they work closely together encouraging development and the ability for younger children to work with their peers. This also ensures a smooth and comfortable transition from the baby unit to the Toddler room.
Toddlers are encouraged to adapt to a more structured routine once leaving the baby room, however, we will still accommodate individual child's needs according to their personal development.
The Toddler Room offers a wide range of activities which have been designed with close reference to the Prime Areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage, whilst still ensuring their emotional well-being is catered for with lots of hugs and cuddles in our extended family environment.
As well as having access to their own room the children as also encouraged to take learning opportunities in our spacious garden.
Two's Room
Ages: Age 2 years - 2½ years
This room is designed for children between the ages of 2 -2½ years, or dependant on the children's individual developmental stage.
With over 40 years combined experience of Dawn to Dusk we have established that the transitional changes from a toddler to a mature 2-year-old is quite a leap. To assist with this developmental stage, in 2015, we made the decision to introduce an addition room that catered for this transition. Therefore, your child can move to the Pre-School Room before they are 3 years old. As with all our rooms this is dependent on development stages and not necessarily age related
.
Prior to the child's move settling in sessions take place to ensure the smooth transition to the next room. This allows the child to feel confident and secure in their new environment. At this stage many children commence potty training. We work in partnership with parents to offer a consistent approach supporting both the child and parent throughout this process.
The staff in the Two’s room provide parents with a 2 year old progress grid, which is to be given to the health visitor at the child's 2½ year old check. The ’s room offers a wide range of activities which have been designed with close reference and planning to the principles of the Primes Areas of Early Years Foundation Stage. In some areas of the planning the specific areas will be covered. As well as having access to their own room the children as also encouraged to take learning opportunities in our spacious garden.
Early Years
Ages: 2½ years to 3½ years
Early years room is for children aged 2½ years to 3½ years, we designed this room for the younger aged 3 year old to help with their transition to Rising 5’s. In this room the children have a wide range of stimulating activities covering all aspects of the EYFS.
With over 40 years combined experience of Dawn to Dusk we have established that the transitional changes from a toddler to a mature 2-year-old is quite a leap.
To assist with this developmental stage in 2015 we made the decision to introduce an addition room that catered for this transition. Therefore, your child should move to the Pre School Room before they are 3 years old.
Rising 5's
Age 3½ years to school age.
Rising 5’s is the last room that your child with be in before the transition to school they will spend their last months in this room.
Rising 5's consists of a large indoor playroom, and a free flow area to an outdoor covered play area known as the decking for children from 3½ years until they go to school. Our free flow area enables children to safely access both indoor and outdoor opportunities, allowing children to explore ranges of activities whilst enjoying the fresh air in all weathers.
Rising 5's offers a wide range of activities which have been designed with close reference to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Planning is created through observations on the child’s individual and group interests and relates to the 7 areas of learning. As well as having access to their own room the children as also encourage to take learning opportunities in our spacious garden and separate activity room.
We encourage children to be independent in this room, in preparation for their transitions to primary school. We liaise closely with the local primary schools ensuring a smooth transition and a share of information is provided.
Funded Pre School Room
Ages: 3 years to School Age
The funded Pre School at Dawn Dusk Day Nursery operates as an independent preschool offering free sessions 5 days a week. There is a choice of either morning or afternoon sessions dependent on availability. These sessions are available term time only up to 15 hours per week.
Session times
Morning Sessions - 8.30am - 11.30am
Afternoon Sessions - 12.00pm - 3.00pm
Garden Room
Ages:
The children benefit from the use of the indoor activity room, which is a large room available to them for physical play, music and movement.
MAIDSTONE ADDRESS
Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery (Maidstone) Ltd,
730-732 London Road
Larkfield, Maidstone
Kent ME20 6BQ
Tel: 01732 848480
URN: EY321463
SWANLEY ADDRESS
Dawn to Dusk Day Nursery (Swanley) Ltd.
18 The Birches,
Swanley.
BR8 7YL
Tel: 01322 660330
URN: EY332938
