Nurseries

Our nurseries and preschools settings are friendly and inspiring places for children to be.

We believe in creating truly, magical experiences and memories for the children. We also believe in having a strong partnership with our parents and together we achieve the best for their children.

YMCA Brunel Group currently operates 8 Ofsted registered nurseries and preschools in Wiltshire and is committed to providing an exceptional standard o

We believe that all children should have opportunities and experiences that will set them up for their educational journey and prepare them for their lives ahead. Staff teams are highly qualified with everyone undertaking a wide range of professional development opportunities.

PlusPeace of Mind

All our nurseries and our preschools are registered with Ofsted and links to their latest reports are available from their individual pages on this website. All staff and volunteers have enhanced DBS clearance before starting work. We aim for all of our qualified staff to have a current First Aid qualification, as we believe this is very important. Our safeguarding work is of a very high standard and we work closely with our families to promote the best start in life for all the children. We welcome feedback from parents and we give out monthly newsletters and regular updates. Our manager’s doors are always open.

PlusFree Pre-School Hours for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

We attract a wide range of parents to our settings. Some of them are full-time working and some part-time. Some are not working and choose us because of the high quality of our provision. Many parents choose us time and time again as they feel part of our large family.

All children aged 3 and 4 are eligible to receive 15 hours free early education each week. We offer 30 funded hours for working parents who are eligible for this.

To check if you are eligible for the 30 hour offer please go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Eligible two year olds can access 15 hours free and parents can check whether their child is eligible by looking on their local authority web site.

Bath & North East Somerset Council: www.bathnes.gov.uk -funded childcare for two year olds
Wiltshire Council: www.wiltshirecouncil.gov.uk– free funding for 2 year olds

If you require further information about this, please contact the nursery or preschool you are interested in directly from the individual page.

PlusEarly Years Learning and Development

Our daily educational programmes, activities and routines are based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework and delivered by our highly motivated staff team. Both our indoor and outdoor areas are fully resourced and we use these in innovative ways for the benefit and enjoyment of the children.

We work closely with local schools to ensure that children are well prepared for the next stage of their education. We use a secure on-line assessment tool, which enables parents to be part of our assessment process, as they can comment and upload their own images. They can go on-line daily to see how happy their children are in our care and yet at the same time be involved in their education.

PlusOur experienced and dedicated staff teams are fully committed to:

– Recognising each child as unique and planning for their individual interests and development stage
– Providing stimulating, safe and innovative environments both inside and out
– Providing quality care for children and their families that reflects everyone’s needs
– Developing trusting and supportive partnerships between home and the setting
– Encouraging children to develop socially and emotionally as a foundation for life.

PlusTo achieve this we encourage all our children to:

– Develop independence and self-confidence
– Problem solve and make their own decisions.
– Learn through play and exploration
– Interact with each other and show mutual respect for their peers
– Have fun and be happy !

For more detailed information about the early years curriculum please see www.foundationyears.org.uk/eyfs-statutory-framework

PlusStaffing ratios

The following adult /child ratios are maintained at all times:
Under 2’s 1:3
2 year olds 1:5
3 – 5 year olds 1:8

PlusHealthy eating

We pride ourselves in offering healthy food in all of our childcare settings and the starting point for us is a Food Hygiene qualification. Many of our staff takes this qualification. Additionally we take part in healthy initiatives such as the Eat Well Start Well programme and we continuously achieve high star award for our kitchens. Our menus are well designed and we take account of all dietary needs and preferences.

Each year we update our policies and procedures to take account of new legislation, ways of working and feedback from parents. Our managers make sure that the policy is a living document and the policies are always available for parents to see in the nursery or preschool or on this website below.

PlusOur policies

Admissions Policy Alcohol and Substance Misuse Arrival and Departure of Children
Complaints Dealing with Unacceptable Behaviour Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
Electronic Devices and Social Media Emergency Closure including lockdown Equality and Diversity
Health and Safety Healthy Child Information Sharing
Non Collection, Non Attendance, Missing Children and Outings Parental Involvement Positive Behaviour for children in our settings
Safeguarding and Child Protection Special Educational Needs Staff Behaviour Policy Piercings
 Staff Behaviour Policy Staff Induction and Appearance Policy Staff Procedures for Handling Payment
Staff Right to Search Policy Staff Social Networking Policy Student Placement Policy
Visitor Policy

  • “We would like to express our gratitude for the kindness you have extended to our family this week. I have injured myself at work and was unable to take [our daughter] to nursery. You have gone above and beyond your duty by picking her up from our home and taking her to nursery so she won’t miss out and I could get much-needed rest. We are grateful to have met people like yourselves.

  • “I wanted to reach out to express my sincerest gratitude to the entire team at YMCA Little Shoots.

    From the first time we set foot in YMCA Little Shoots we knew it was the best place for my daughter. The staff have been warm, kind, pro-active, involved and compassionate. She has absolutely thrived, and although she is still somewhat shy and introverted, I can tell that she is happy, well cared for and stimulated. The progress that she’s made has been incredible.

    I would especially like to mention Sharon, Lisa and Shantelle who my daughter has bonded so beautifully with.

    I have expressed all this to Kaylea and the team, but I wanted to make sure that the management staff were also aware of our gratitude and I hope that it is duly recognised.

    While we are so sad to move from such a wonderful setting, but I have high hopes that she has been given the tools to thrive, and will continue to do so at YMCA Green Shoots.”

  • We live far away from our families; raising [our daughter], who was born at the peak of the Covid lockdown, has not always been easy, but you and your team have become our village.

    Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.”

  • “I find the staff at Little Shoots very welcoming, especially the manager who always has an interest in my daughter’s life outside of nursery, as well as mine. My daughter has blossomed under the staff’s care and I am so pleased with her progress.”

  • “I use YMCA Little Ducklings and they are amazing! My son has been going for months and loves it, will be sad to leave next week. I love the nursery as they do loads for the families and do fun ‘parents’ evenings’ where we can go in with the little ones, play some games and see what they’ve been up to and chat with the staff. Keris is the manager, she is fab and has always helped with everything and been super understanding of moving etc. x”

  • “My 3 year old boy goes to Kingfisher. They’re absolutely amazing with him, he’s pretty much non-verbal due to ENT issues, they work with him, do 1 on 1, they’ve taught him Makaton sign language, they’ve allowed people in to assess him to see if anything else can be done to help him communicate, they do all kinds of activities and learning the kids love it and the 4 ladies and all the children and parents are just lovely! I honestly can’t fault them! They adore our little dude and he’s thrived since being there”