Active Childcare triumph at Leader Education Awards – The Rosset- and Wrexham University-based nursery won the Early Years Education prize. The judges announced that the winners of the award should be an innovative and successful child-minding provider, nursery, pre-school or organisation. They also stipulated that the successful nursery had to prove early years support or provision, with a further requirement being a clear demonstration of the positive impact the business had on the children in their care.
Play-Based Opportunities
Little Scholars Nursery is on Wrexham University Campus and is run by Active Childcare Ltd. They are committed to providing high-quality, child-centred provision that supports the unique and individual needs of all children.
Active strives to make learning fun through play-based opportunities, offering authentic and challenging experiences that support each child’s needs and development. They are keen to support best practices across Wales and worldwide, with Director Rebecca Mottram participating in a number of initiatives with the Welsh Government, such as the co-construction of the New Curriculum and also of the Early Childhood, Play, Learning and Care (ECPLC) reflective toolkit – the first document in Wales to support families and settings for children from 0-5 years.
The practitioners of Little Scholars work closely with their sister nursery, Rossett House, and they are the first private day nurseries worldwide taking part in their projects for GAIN (Global Action for Impact Network), allowing them to support young children, families and early years practitioners globally in identifying for and planning for better outcomes for children, which in turns leads to positive effects on future generations.
Little Scholars is a purpose-built nursery that cares for children from 6 weeks up to 12 years, with a holiday club running during school holidays. Parents nominated them for the award, and Active appreciates the recognition of the team’s hard work and dedication.
Their Provision
Little Scholars Nursery is a unique, one-of-a-kind provision. The building is purpose-built, and each room and piece of equipment also ensures all children have the opportunity to develop and thrive in their care. The ergonomic design allows children to engage in a clean, safe, and fluid environment. Additionally, space is plentiful, featuring two outdoor areas, five childcare rooms, a sensory room, and a circulation play space. The well-being of children is paramount; play is purposeful, and children thrive within child-centred provision.
Babies
Their baby rooms are lovely, bright areas, furnished and also equipped to a high standard. They provide comfort and stimulation for their youngest children. Both rooms have direct access to a separate, secure outdoor area, where children can dig in the large sand pit. They can also explore the sensory raised flower beds, or relax under a shaded canopy with a story or spend quality one-on-one time with their key worker.
The nursery respects each child’s individual needs and routines. The staff work closely with parents to ensure there is continuity of routine between home and nursery.
Activities are tailored to the age and stage of development of the children, offering a diverse range of sensory experiences. Within the baby rooms, activities include heuristic play, music (including banging and bashing, and also songs, rhymes, and listening). They can also participate in messy play, ball pool activities, painting sessions, baby book time, and enjoy plenty of cuddles.
Toddlers
Their toddler rooms offer a lively and stimulating environment, complete with activities that cater to children as they become mobile and independent. The emphasis is on active fun, with children continuing to explore the world around them and develop their communication skills.
Their toddlers enjoy activities such as jigsaws, creative play, dressing up and role-playing, ride-on toys and tricycles, climbing and outdoor play, early mark-making, construction, story time, music, sand play, water play, and many more. With access to the outdoor provision, toddlers use this area to develop their physical and intellectual skills as they explore their surroundings.
Pre-school
Their pre-school rooms provide their older children with a wealth of experiences and opportunities that also promote the five developmental pathways in the Curriculum for Non-Maintained Settings, ensuring children engage in fun, challenging and authentic experiences.
Children in the pre-school develop independence as they enjoy the wide variety of activities available in the indoor and outdoor provision. This has direct access to their extensive outdoor environment.
Within this action-packed area, children can also participate in various activities, including story time, construction, painting, model making, sand and water play, small world toys, sorting and counting games, music-making and singing. There is also an outdoor play area featuring wheeled toys, as well as opportunities for climbing, running, and jumping. The list goes on and on!
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