Welcome to Abacus Day Nursery in Newbury. Established in 1985, we are committed to providing a safe and stimulating environment for babies and children aged from 3 months to 5 years.  The Nursery Manager, Louise Richardson, is also the Head of People Matters for our group of nurseries and is a keen developer of the team at Abacus.

Here is Katie Dancey.  She's the bright and bubbly Operations Manager, always ready with a smile and something to say - there's no stopping her sometimes!  We love her to bits at Abacus, she's more than just part of the team.  She recently celebrated her Eleventh anniversary of starting work at Abacus.

Our commitment is to give every child in our care a happy and fulfilling memory of childhood, while working with each parent’s wishes for their child as our guiding principle.

We like to regard ourselves as one part of the parenting team for each child, helping to give them confidence, experience, skills and social values which you want them to have.  The process starts in the pre-school years, and is the foundation of a happy, healthy and well-adjusted child, beginning from birth. We help children with the self-assurance and social skills which enable them grow into sociable children who are ready for school.

  

Babies 3m – 1 Year 
Babies has capacity for 6 babies aged from 3 months to around 1 year. There is 1 adult present for every 3 babies of which 2 are qualified to NVQ Level 3.

The play equipment is appropriate to the development stage of our youngest children and stimulates learning, providing opportunities for growth and exploration. Education has the potential to begin here and we acknowledge the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum which recognises that babies can learn from birth.  However, we carefully plan to ensure that emotional needs are met and that due love, care and attention is implemented giving each baby exactly what he or she needs to thrive. 

The quiet sleep room is equipped with cots, sheets and blankets so each baby can sleep comfortably when necessary. Our team follows and records your baby’s routine.  Our setting benefits from a separate changing facility and kitchenette for the preparation of baby milk, bottles and weaning foods.

Baby Toddlers 1Year – 18months

Baby Toddlers is a spacious and fun environment for up to 12 baby toddlers. The ratio of adults looking after children is the same as the Babies and a Room Senior, again qualified to NVQ Level 3, is responsible for the smooth operation of the room and also the Babies. Baby Toddlers is similar to the Babies in many ways; we’re still very much nurturing and guiding yur little ones in this room but we’re giving them additional opportunities to learn and develop.

Likes babies, Baby Toddlers benefit from their own changing facility but the play equipment is geared specifically to their age and stage of development which in turn can begin to challenge their already established interests.

Toddlers 18months– 2 1/2 Years
Toddlers have the capacity for up to 16 children. There is 1 adult for every 4 children, one of whom is a Room Senior, qualified to NVQ Level 3, leading the team.

The main play room is well equipped with resources to stimulate and each member of our team maximises learning opportunities by facilitating play and challenging thinking.  Toddlers also benefits from a separate creative room where all the messy fun takes place! The creative room is all about self expression. The two rooms are inter-connected with just a small archway between, allowing children to come and go as they please. We encourage each child to take the lead and to explore the resources which take their interest.

Communal sleep time is encouraged not long after lunch, because we recognise that children need to rest as much as they need to play. An opportunity to rest will help them reserve those energy stores ready for more learning! The main play room has a quiet area in which soft mats, sheets and blankets are provided ensuring the children are comfortable when they need a rest.

School Room 2 1/2 – 5 Years
School Room has capacity for 30 maturing children from the age of 2 1/2 to 5 years. We have one adult present for every 8 children in this area and once again a Senior Nursery Nurse, qualified to at least NVQ Level 3 leads her team and is responsible for implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and overseeing the smooth operation of the room. Children benefit from a more structured learning experience in the School room, directly corresponding to the EYFS curriculum.

School Room enjoy a network of indoor spaces, which are bright and spacious, creating a stimulating environment for play, activity and learning. The Conservatory provides a central hub for general play. An Imaginative Play area allows children to electively explore and briefly adopt alternative identities, challenging their own thought processes!