Mission & Values
Our commitment to you & your child
At The Croft our mission is to nurture and encourage each child to learn and progress within a supportive environment. Dedicated practitioners work together to provide a joyful, stimulating, safe world for children to explore and be themselves.
Our aim is to provide a range of fun and challenging indoor and outdoor activities to assist the children in their development in a warm and welcoming environment. We always strive to excel and adhere to best practice.
While children are taught by all educators in a room, each child has a key carer who is the main person responsible for their personal development, well-being and progress.
Nurturing Development
The Croft Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to support the whole child, helping them to develop the skills, confidence and attitudes they need as they grow and learn.
Communication
We encourage children to express themselves, share their ideas and develop strong language skills through conversation, storytelling, singing and play.
Independence
Children are supported to try new things, make choices and develop confidence in their own abilities as they explore and learn.
Respect
We help children understand the importance of kindness, empathy and respect for others, building positive relationships and valuing diversity.
Community
Children learn about the world around them and their place within it, developing a sense of belonging and connection to their local community.
Understanding the EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage supports children from birth to five years old. It recognises that children need opportunities to explore, investigate and experience the world around them in order to build the foundations for future learning. At The Croft we provide a broad and balanced curriculum that encourages children to explore, question and discover through meaningful play experiences.
The EYFS: 7 Areas of Learning
The EYFS is built around seven key areas of learning and development that support children to build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning.
These areas help children to develop communication and language skills, build physical strength and coordination, grow in confidence and independence, begin their journey into early literacy and mathematics, explore people, places and the world around them, and express themselves through creativity, imagination and play.
Preparing for School
As children move into our preschool room, activities gradually become more structured to support early literacy and mathematical thinking, including programmes such as Letters and Sounds and Wellcomm.
Alongside this, we offer school readiness programmes that support children to develop the skills they need for a confident transition into school. These programmes focus on helping children become confident, resilient and independent, preparing them for the next stage of their learning journey.
Through a balance of play, exploration and guided learning, we nurture curiosity, perseverance and a love of learning, helping children build strong foundations so they can become lifelong learners.
Our values of Communication, Independence, Respect and Community are woven through everything we do. Supporting every child to grow in confidence, build meaningful relationships and develop a strong sense of belonging.
At The Croft, together we grow.
Healthy Eating
Nutrition
Supporting positive food experiences every day
The Croft encourage the children to eat well and learn about food, setting foundations for their future health and wellbeing. It is a social time with adults and children eating together and we encourage good behaviour and excellent table manners. Staff are aware of and respect all allergies, medical and cultural differences in eating habits.
We are fortunate in that we have a dedicated team who love to provide innovative and healthy menu options for the children, which are regularly updated.
The Croft is currently participating in the Healthy Early Years London awards scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few things you might be wondering:
What ages do you accept children from?
At The Croft, we welcome children from 3 months through to 5 years old, supporting them through each stage of their early development.
Children are cared for in a nurturing and stimulating environment where they can explore, play and grow in confidence. Our experienced team provides age-appropriate experiences that support children’s learning, independence and wellbeing as they develop.
We work closely with families to ensure every child feels safe, happy and supported from their very first days with us.
What are your nursery opening hours?
Our nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm, providing full-day childcare for families.
We also offer an early drop-off from 7:30am, which can be booked in advance for an additional charge.
The nursery is closed on bank holidays, between Christmas and New Year, and for two staff training (INSET) days each year. These training days allow our team to continue developing their knowledge and skills so we can provide the best possible care and learning experiences for the children.
Do you offer 15 or 30 hours funded childcare?
Yes, we offer government funded childcare, including 15 hours and 30 hours funding, subject to eligibility and availability.
Families eligible for their child’s funding will also have an additional dining and nutrition package per funded day, which covers meals, snacks and other additional provisions provided during your child’s time at nursery.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for funded childcare, you can check directly on https://beststartinlife.gov.uk, which explains the different funding options available and how to apply.
Our team is always happy to talk you through the available funding options and explain how they work within our nursery sessions.
How can I arrange a visit to the nursery?
Families are warmly invited to visit the nursery to see our environment, meet the team and learn more about life at The Croft.
Visits can be arranged by contacting the nursery directly by phone or email, and a member of the management team will be happy to organise a convenient time for you to come and look around.
We look forward to welcoming you and showing you around.
How does the registration process work?
If you would like to secure a place for your child, families will be asked to complete a registration form and sign the nursery’s Terms and Conditions.
A £500 deposit is required to secure your child’s place at the nursery. This deposit will be refunded when your child leaves the nursery, in line with our Terms and Conditions.
Places at The Croft can be in high demand, so we encourage families to enquire and register as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Closer to your child’s start date, a member of the management team will be in touch to confirm arrangements and book settling-in sessions, helping to ensure a smooth and positive start to their time at nursery.
If you would like to check availability or talk through your childcare options, please contact a member of the management team who will be happy to help.
How do you help children settle when they first start nursery?
Starting nursery is an important milestone for both children and families, so we take time to make the transition as smooth and reassuring as possible.
Before your child’s official start date, families are invited to attend settling-in sessions, usually taking place one to two weeks beforehand. These visits give children the opportunity to explore the environment, begin building relationships with their key person and become familiar with the nursery routine.
During this time, we also work closely with families and carers to learn more about each child’s interests, routines and individual needs. Sharing this information helps our team provide a warm, personalised welcome so every child can settle in feeling safe, confident and ready to begin their journey with us.
My child sometimes cries at drop-off - what should I do?
It is very common for children to feel upset at drop-off, especially when they are still settling into a new routine. Our experienced team understands this and will always comfort and reassure your child.
We help children settle by offering support, reassurance and gentle distraction through familiar activities, play and interaction with their friends. In most cases, children quickly become engaged in their day once they begin exploring and playing.
If your child does find drop-off difficult, our team will work closely with you to support them and help build their confidence and sense of security within the nursery environment.
What should my child bring to nursery?
When children start at The Croft, they will receive their own Croft rucksack to use during their time with us.
We ask families to keep the bag stocked with a spare set of clothes and any comforters their child may need during the day.
Children should also arrive with appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear so they can enjoy outdoor play in all seasons. This may include items such as coats, wellies, hats, gloves or sunhats, depending on the weather.
Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Who should I speak to if I have a question about my child’s development?
Each child at The Croft is supported by a key person, who takes overall responsibility for their learning, development and wellbeing. Your child’s key person will get to know them well, observing their progress and planning experiences that support their next steps.
If you have any questions about your child’s development, their key person will usually be the best person to speak to.
Our management team are also always available on site and are happy to support with any questions or concerns. We believe open communication with families is essential and always welcome conversations about your child’s progress and wellbeing.
How can I discuss my child’s progress?
Families can follow their child’s development through the Famly app, where we regularly share observations, updates and moments from your child’s learning and play.
When children first start with us, we complete a baseline assessment to help us understand their development and plan appropriate next steps. As children grow, we also share updates during room transitions.
We also complete important development reviews such as the two-year progress check and a final nursery report to support children as they prepare for their transition into school.
Families are always welcome to speak with their child’s key person or a member of the management team if they would like to discuss their child’s development in more detail.
Do children automatically move to the next room as they grow?
Children move through the nursery rooms as they grow, with each room designed to support different stages of development.
While transitions are generally guided by age ranges, we always consider each child’s development, confidence and readiness before moving them to their next room.
Before a transition takes place, children are supported with transition visits, and families are kept informed throughout the process. A transition report is also completed to help ensure a smooth move into the next stage of their nursery journey.
How do you support children with additional needs?
At The Croft we believe every child is unique and deserves the support they need to thrive.
Each nursery has a trained SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) who works with families and practitioners to support children with additional needs.
Where appropriate, we may also work with local authority services or external professionals to ensure children and families receive the right support.
How do you communicate with families about their child’s day?
We believe strong partnerships with families are an important part of supporting children’s development.
We use the Famly app to share updates throughout the day, including information about activities, meals, sleep and key moments from your child’s learning and play.
Our team is also always happy to speak with families at drop-off and collection, providing opportunities to share updates and discuss your child’s progress.
What meals and snacks are provided?
All meals and snacks at The Croft are freshly prepared on site, with meals cooked from scratch each day.
Children are provided with breakfast, snacks, lunch and afternoon tea, ensuring they receive balanced meals throughout the day.
Our menus follow the Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance, helping to support children’s healthy development while introducing them to a variety of foods and flavours.
If your child has any allergies or dietary requirements, we will work closely with families to ensure these needs are safely supported.
How do you support children with food allergies or dietary requirements?
During the settling-in process, families share information about their child’s dietary needs, allergies and preferences.
For children with a diagnosed allergy, we complete a medical support plan with families which is reviewed regularly to ensure information remains accurate and up to date.
Our team works closely with families to ensure all children can enjoy meals safely and that their dietary needs are fully supported.
What happens if my child becomes ill during the day?
If a child becomes unwell during the nursery day, our team will assess how they are feeling and provide comfort and care while monitoring their symptoms. Families will be contacted if we feel their child needs to be collected.
To help prevent the spread of illness, children should not attend nursery if they are unwell and may need to remain at home for a period of time depending on their symptoms.
Our priority is always the health, safety and wellbeing of all children in our care.
What happens if my child is injured at nursery?
If a child has an accident while at nursery, a member of our team will provide first aid where appropriate.
All accidents are recorded and shared with families through the Famly app, so families are informed about what happened and the care that was given.
All staff hold paediatric first aid training.
My child attends part-time - can I book additional sessions if needed?
Children attending The Croft are required to attend a minimum of three days per week, including either a Monday or a Friday, to support consistency in routines, relationships and learning.
If families require additional days, these may be booked subject to availability and will be charged at the full daily rate.
Please speak to a member of the management team if you would like to request additional sessions.
How do you prepare children for starting school?
As children move into our preschool room, we focus on school readiness, helping children develop confidence, independence and resilience.
Activities support early communication, literacy and mathematical thinking, including programmes such as Letters and Sounds, while still ensuring learning remains engaging and play-based.
Our aim is for every child to leave nursery feeling confident, curious and ready to become a lifelong learner.
Still have a question?
We’d be happy to help. Please contact one of our nurseries and a member of the management team will be happy to assist you.