All staff at Horsted Hatchlings are fully qualified and all hold a minimum of a Level 3 qualification. Horsted Hatchlings also has a fully qualified teacher who is responsible for the implementation of the curriculum and overall provision of the Nursery setting.

Staff are also all Paediatric first aid trained and all hold a certificate in food preparation and hygiene to ensure the upmost safety of your child during their time with us.

Mrs Webber(Nursery Lead/Class Teacher)

Miss Ironworker (Nursery Practitioner)

Miss Payne (Nursery Practitioner)

Key Workers

All children will be assigned a Key Worker who will be there to support your child and your family. This person will be in regular contact to update you about the progress your child is making as well as provide short feedback at the end of each session to let you know how they have been during their session. Whilst the key worker is assigned to each child please feel free to approach any of the staff as we work closely as a team and will aim to help.

This key worker will rotate throughout the year to build consistency and allow children to make strong links with all adults in the setting.

Parents are able to choose from a morning, afternoon or full day session (subject to availability).

Morning sessions: 8:45am – 11:45pm

Afternoon sessions: 12:00pm - 3:00pm.

Full day 8:45am - 3:00pm.

We aim to be as flexible as possible and will do our best to work with you to try and accommodate the sessions/days that you require. If you are not eligible for 30 hours funded childcare but require more than 15 hours you are able to pay for more sessions at a cost of £18 for 3-hour session.   This money will be payable in advance.

To check if you are eligible for 30 hours you need to register on the following site. https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

At Horsted Hatchlings snack time is more than just a tasty break—it’s a chance for children to refuel, relax, and enjoy healthy choices together. We provide a variety of nutritious snacks, from fresh fruit and crunchy vegetables to wholegrain crackers and dairy options, ensuring every child has something they love.

Snack time helps little ones practice good table manners as well as learning the importance of hygiene and simple food preparation too. The children will be involved in preparing the snacks for their peers, learning to safely chop, slice and wash food, fully supported by members of our nursery team who are all fully food hygiene trained.

Snack time will be available in the morning and afternoon session so your little ones will never go hungry!

Please find below examples of the types of jobs your children will be involved in during this time.

Children staying all day will be asked to bring a packed lunch and drink to nursery every day. This needs to be a balanced lunchbox where possible to support our healthy school initiative. Due to allergies within the setting, we ask that nothing is packed which contains nuts as these will be taken out by staff and returned to you at the end of the day.

ALL children will be fully supervised while eating and a paediatric first aider will always be present.

Staff are not permitted to give any form of medication to children.  However, children with asthma will be allowed to leave an inhaler with staff. The school office needs to be informed so a form can be completed and signed.

We will contact parents if a child is distressed or needs medical attention.  We always err on the side of caution, so do not be alarmed if you receive a call.

All Nursery Practitioners are qualified in Paediatric First Aid.

The Nursery policy for children using the toilet is that the child must tell a member of staff if they wish to go to the toilet, and a member of staff (DBS checked) will take the child if required.

If a child has an accident, the child will be treated with sympathy and understanding and the child will be encouraged, with support, to change into clean clothes and wipe themselves clean.

 We encourage all children to be toilet trained before starting nursery however if your child still needs assistance a care plan will be completed before they start.  You will be given an opportunity to discuss this at your child’s home visit.  We ask that a change of clothes is provided for each child (including a few changes of underwear) and that it is in a named bag which we can use in such circumstances.

From January 2025 we are introducing a new uniform for children at Horsted Hatchlings nursery.  Children in Nursery are expected to wear a yellow polo shirt, Horsted jumper or cardigan, dark coloured bottoms (this could be joggers or leggings) and black shoes or trainers. All children attending Horsted Hatchlings will be given 1 free jumper or cardigan.

School uniform plays a key role in promoting pride, self-confidence, and a feeling of belonging within the school setting. It is important to us that our Hatchlings feel part of our Horsted family and so encouraging them to wear a uniform to symbolise will be great!

The Nursery provides aprons for the children when they play with messy activities and children are asked to bring a pair of wellies to ensure we can keep their feet dry in wet weather and when they are playing in the water area. Whilst we do our best to keep clothes as clean as possible when learning is at its best it sometimes means a bit of mess!

The Nursery encourages children to gain the skills which help them to be independent and look after themselves. These include taking themselves to the toilet and washing hands. The school aim for its uniform to be clothing which is easy for them to manage. Please ensure all clothing is named so it is easy for us to look after and ensure it is returned to the correct owner.

For safety reasons, and in line with Medway directives, children are not permitted to wear jewellery in the Nursery.

Morning sessions (8:45 am – 11:45am)

You will be able to drop your child off at the door of the Nursery. Your child will be greeted at the door by a member of staff and welcomed in. Sometimes children can be a little unsettled and tearful at the door but once inside this usually settles quickly.  Where possible we ask for you the leave your children as soon as possible at the door and allow staff to encourage them in however we can call you if you would like to check they have settled.

Please ensure you are at the gate for 8:45am as any latecomers will have to enter through the school office which can be unsettling for children.  At the end of the morning session (11:45am) the Nursery adults dismiss the children from the opposite door located in the carpark to ensure the safety of the other children making a transition to lunchtime.

Afternoon sessions (12:00 pm – 3:00pm)

You will drop off your child at the door on the carpark side of the Nursery. Please wait for the Nursery Practitioner to dismiss all the morning children first. Please ensure you are at the gate for 12:00pm as any latecomers will have to enter through the school office which can be unsettling for children.

Collecting at 3:00pm

If you are collecting your child at 3:00pm, you will collect your child from the Nursery door. Please make sure the Nursery Practitioners knows who is collecting your child at the end of the day. If there will be someone different collecting, please speak to the Nursery staff at drop off or ring the school office to inform them of any changes. They will need to have your password which will be selected at the home visit.  If we are unsure who is collecting, we will not let the children go until we have spoken to you and no one under the age of 18 will be able to collect children from the nursery setting.

Each session will be a blend between adult led (teaching session), adult directed (groups directly supported to complete a task set by the teacher) and child initiated and independent investigation, where children are encouraged to choose which activities spark their interest and grab their attention. The child-initiated sessions are carefully planned to include carefully selected resources which encourage children to practice new skills and consolidate their learning.  

The children will be given an opportunity for snack and drink during each session and will be involved in singing, dancing and outside play too.

Children develop at different rates, and it is important for us to establish a child’s starting point to be able to ensure they are making progress. Getting information from parents is essential for us to understand your child’s routines, needs and any support which is required so we can best meet your child in the setting.

The Nursery works to the requirements of the 1993 Education Act and The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2000) and through careful observations we will make regular assessment of your child’s progress. There will be an opportunity to meet with staff regularly and any concerns about your child’s progress will be discussed with you at length.

The school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is Mrs Webb who will be happy to support if you have any worries or concerns.

Because of day-to-day contact with children, schools are particularly well placed to observe outward signs of abuse, changes in behaviour or failure to develop.  Parents should be aware therefore, that where it appears to a member there is a safeguarding concern, the school is required, as part of the local child protection procedures to report their concerns to the Social Services Department immediately. All staff across the school hold an enhanced DBS check and all hold safeguarding at the forefront of our practice. The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Horsted School is Mrs Steer and deputy leads include Mrs Baldwin, Mrs Packman, Mr Geary, Mr Cavanagh, Mrs Webb and Mrs Webber.

Whilst our Nursery is a separate unit from the Foundation Stage 2 classes and housed in a seperate building there will be regular opportunities for nursery children to mix with Foundation Stage 2 class children and vice versa.  We feel that this is an excellent way of working as some very young children may be ready to access some of the activities on offer in our Year R outside area.

Children will be monitored carefully and moved onto the most suitable activities during structured time, but all children in the Nursery will have many opportunities throughout the session when they are able to choose activities for themselves and this is important for their development. For young children, play is the vehicle by which they learn.

Throughout the time that your child is in the Nursery and the Foundation Stage 2 class, they will follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. By the time they reach Year 1 they are ready, or almost ready to access the National Curriculum

Helping your nursery child at home doesn’t require formal lessons, leave that to us… it’s about weaving learning into everyday life. Reading, talking, playing, and encouraging independence all build the foundation for confidence and school readiness.

📚 Literacy and Language

• Read daily: Share picture books, rhymes, and stories. Point to words, talk about pictures, and let your child turn pages.
• Sing songs and nursery rhymes: Builds vocabulary, rhythm, and memory.
• Talk often: Describe what you’re doing, ask open-ended questions, and encourage your child to express themselves.

🔢 Early Maths Skills

• Count objects: Toys, fruit, or steps up the stairs.
• Play with shapes and patterns: Use blocks, puzzles, or everyday items.
• Introduce simple comparisons: Big vs. small, more vs. less.

🎨 Creativity and Play

• Arts and crafts: Drawing, painting, cutting, and sticking develop fine motor skills.
• Role play: Pretend shops, cooking, or dressing up encourage imagination and social skills.
• Outdoor play: Sand, water, and nature walks stimulate curiosity and problem-solving.

🏠 Routines and Independence

• Consistent routines: Bedtime, mealtimes, and playtimes help children feel secure.
• Encourage independence: Let them dress themselves, tidy toys, or pour water.
• Positive reinforcement: Praise effort, not just results, to build confidence.

🌱 Social and Emotional Development

• Playdates or family time: Helps children learn to share and cooperate
• Talk about feelings: Use simple words like “happy,” “sad,” or “angry.”
• Model calm behaviour: Children copy how adults handle stress and emotions.

Linking Home and Nursery

• Ask about their day: Show interest in what they did at nursery.
• Follow up on nursery themes: If they’re learning about animals, read animal books at home.