Into-Play The Quays

Baby Room

6 weeks to 2 years

Our Baby Room provides a warm, safe, caring and stimulating environment for babies from as young as 6 weeks through to 2 years old.

We understand that starting nursery is a big milestone for both babies and their families. To help make this transition as gentle and positive as possible, we offer four weeks of complimentary settling-in sessions before your baby officially starts with us. This gives babies, parents and practitioners the opportunity to get to know one another, build trusting relationships and become familiar with the nursery environment at a pace that feels comfortable for each child.

Our experienced Baby Room team are specially trained in caring for children under two. All practitioners have Paediatric First Aid training and a strong understanding of safer sleep practices. We carefully consider each baby’s individual routine, interests and developmental stage, providing a variety of sensory, exploratory and age-appropriate experiences throughout the day.

Alongside opportunities to explore and learn, we understand that babies need plenty of comfort, reassurance and affection. Our practitioners provide responsive care, lots of cuddles and the emotional security babies need to feel confident and settled.

Our Baby Room has direct access to a lovely garden area, giving the children opportunities for outdoor exploration and free-flow play. This also allows us to respond to individual routines, ages and sleep patterns, with practitioners able to adapt the environment depending on each child’s needs. We believe outdoor experiences are incredibly beneficial for young children, so our babies are given the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and time outside every day, whatever the weather, unless conditions are unsuitable or extreme.

Most importantly, we want every baby at Into-Play to feel safe, secure, loved and confident, knowing they are cared for by practitioners who take the time to understand and respond to their individual needs.

2-3's

2 to 3 years

Our 2-3's provision covers the entire first floor of the building and is made up of three thoughtfully designed rooms. These spaces provide children with plenty of opportunities to develop their growing independence, confidence and sense of self.

This is an important stage in a child’s development, and we place a strong emphasis on Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Children are supported as they begin to form friendships, learn to share and take turns, understand their emotions and develop the confidence to do things for themselves.

Our key person approach allows children to develop strong and meaningful relationships with their practitioners. Our team get to know each child as an individual and use their interests, strengths and developmental needs to shape experiences and planning.

Children enjoy a varied balance of experiences throughout their day, including small and larger group activities alongside plenty of time for child-led play, exploration and discovery. Our rooms include dedicated areas for dining, messy play and role play, giving children a variety of spaces in which to learn and express themselves.

Outdoor learning is also an important part of our 2-3's provision. The children have access to their own outdoor space, including an undercover, all-year-round decking area with flower and vegetable patches. They also have access to a larger shared garden where they can run, explore, play and let off some energy.

As many children begin their toilet-training journey during this stage, we provide calm, consistent and encouraging support. We work closely with parents and carers to ensure that children receive a consistent approach between home and nursery, offering guidance, reassurance and encouragement along the way.

Above all, we want children to feel secure, valued and confident, while developing the social, emotional and practical skills that will support them as they continue their exciting journey at Into-Play.

Pre-School

3 years to starting school

Our Pre-School is a large, spacious and carefully planned environment, with a wide range of areas and resources designed to support children across all areas of their development.

We recognise that our Pre-School children are taking their final exciting steps before beginning school. Our focus is therefore on nurturing their confidence, independence, curiosity and readiness for their next big adventure.

Children are encouraged to make their own choices about what they would like to do, where they would like to play and how they would like to explore. This helps them develop independence, decision-making skills and confidence in their own abilities.

Alongside plenty of opportunities for child-led learning, our dedicated Pre-School team introduce daily experiences focusing on phonics, early literacy and early numeracy. These are delivered through fun, interactive and engaging activities that build on each child’s existing knowledge and interests.

Outdoor learning is a huge part of life in our Pre-School. The room has direct access to its own covered decking area, allowing children to enjoy free-flow play and choose whether they would like to take part in activities indoors or outdoors. This gives them greater ownership over their learning and encourages them to make independent choices throughout the day.

We also believe that children learn through memorable experiences, which is why we love welcoming a variety of visitors and providing exciting opportunities. Over the years, these have included mobile zoos, owl-handling experiences and even visits from the ice cream van on those lovely hot summer days!

We also take part in a range of additional programmes that help prepare children for school and develop important life skills. Our children participate in the Maths Champions programme, helping to build their confidence and understanding of early mathematical concepts through enjoyable, practical experiences. We also take part in a Teethbrushing Programme, supporting children to understand the importance of looking after their teeth and developing positive oral-health habits from an early age.

We also enjoy exploring our local community. The children take walks to local parks, visit the docks to see the boats and enjoy regular Robot Reg phonics sessions with Vicky.

To help ensure every child receives the support they need before making the transition to school, we complete Ready for Learning questionnaires each term. These help us identify children’s individual strengths and highlight any areas where additional support or further development may be beneficial.

Our ultimate aim is for every child leaving Into-Play to feel confident, capable, curious and excited about starting school. We want them to know that they have developed the skills, independence and resilience they need to take those first steps into Reception with confidence.

And before they leave us for their next adventure, we celebrate everything they have achieved with our very special Into-Play Graduation Ceremony. Tissues at the ready for this one!

Outdoor space

All ages

Every room at The Quays has its own way outside. Our Baby Room opens straight onto a lovely garden area for outdoor exploration and free-flow play, and our babies enjoy fresh air every day, whatever the weather, unless conditions are unsuitable or extreme.

Our 2-3's have their own outdoor space, with an undercover, all-year-round decking area and flower and vegetable patches. They also share a larger garden where they can run, explore, play and let off some energy.

Pre-School has its own covered decking area with free-flow play, so children can choose whether to learn indoors or outdoors throughout the day.