Therefore, the majority of staff at the nursery hold the NVQ Level 3 in Child Care, or are working towards it. All have a Paediatric First Aid Certificate and Food Hygiene Certificate, both of which are renewed every three years. In addition, all staff are carefully vetted through the Criminal Records Bureau and personal references are taken up when they first join the team.

Our ratio of children to staff ensures that children are looked after in a carefully monitored environment. The ratios of staff to children are as follows:

During this session parents are advised of routines and procedures in place at the nursery and spend the rest of the time playing with their child and familiarising themselves with their surroundings.

The second session lasts one and a half hours and parents are encouraged to leave their children for short periods to allow them to adjust and begin to feel comfortable in their new environment.

The third, two-hour session, usually takes place over a lunch time or tea time and parents are, again, encouraged to leave their child for longer periods to enable them to start socialising with their peers and getting to know their new friends.

0-2 years

For the under 2's, we have five spacious rooms. Two well equipped 'activity' rooms including, world toys, construction toys, puzzles and shape sorters. Both have 'home corners' for role play, musical instruments and music to encourage movement, dance and singing, and quiet corners for story time. There is a 'messy' room for water and creative activities, which is also used at mealtimes.

The under 2's also have a Sensory room with a large variety of toys to stimulate children's senses including a bubble tube with four different language settings, treasure baskets, objects with different textures sounds and scents and a lava projector on to the ceiling for babies that currently are unable to sit up unassisted.

Finally, a sleeping room with separate milk kitchen and nappy changing facilities. All children have their own labelled cot and older children have mats and blankets.

Age 2-3 years

The 2-3 year olds have two spacious, well-equipped playrooms, which are opened up into one large room to allow free flow access between the two rooms. There is a nappy changing/toilet area adjoining the rooms and potty training is provided, if required. The children have a fairly structured routine and follow weekly activity programmes.

3 - 5 Year Olds

The 3-5 age group have two large well-equipped playrooms with wet play and carpeted areas catering for all activities, learning and play. There is a carefully planned routine to the day and the children follow structured weekly activity plans, which include discussion time and place emphasis on pre-school education. Comprehensive pre-school learning including colours, letters, writing, numbers and shapes becomes more prominent in this age group, in preparation for school. This group also has direct access to the garden from their playrooms, enabling them to use the garden throughout the day.

The nursery organises a variety of activities based on age and level of development, such as physical play which includes bikes, cars, hoops and balls. There is climbing equipment and a play house in the garden, which allow children to develop their imaginative play, and sand and water to develop their sensory experiences. Children are encouraged to explore nature and the diverse environment in the garden allows them to look for plants and insects and to talk about the different wildlife they find. There is wet weather gear available for children, when needed, to enable them to use the garden in all weather conditions.

Breakfast is available for children and babies, followed by a mid-morning snack. A cooked meal is provided at lunch time, followed by tea in the afternoon. Drinking water is available for all children at all times, as is a fruit bowl in each age group, which children can help themselves in between meals.

Lunchtime is the most important meal of the day when staff and children eat the same meal together at tables in the playrooms. It is a great opportunity for children to try new foods and for everyone to enjoy the social side of mealtimes. Pre-school children are encouraged to help serve their own lunch and tea and to help clear up after mealtimes in preparation for their transition to school.

The following is a sample weekly menu at The Trees in Shirley:

1. Prices are inclusive of all meals and consumable such as nappies etc.

2. For details relating to these please refer to the Terms and Conditions of the Company's Day Care Nursery Facilities Agreement.

3. It should be noted that the fee paid is for an annual facility during opening hours and is payable monthly in advance for 52 weeks per year.

4. The Day Care Nursery will be closed on Bank Holidays also between Christmas and New Year, the fees have been calculated accordingly and there will be no adjustment for any distortions caused.

5. A discount of 10% of the fees for a minimum of three full days or 20% for full time is available for siblings attending the Nursery at the same time as each other where the youngest child is being paid at the full time rate.

6. Grant funding only covers education for 38/39 weeks per year. All other costs, including food, consumables and service, will be charged separately to the parents or clients.

The nursery accepts childcare vouchers. To find out more, please speak to the nursery Manager.

"So many of you have done an amazing job keeping Cxxxxx and Cxxxxxx safe and happy. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of you. I know the children will miss you next year".

"Thank you on behalf of my son Oxxxxx who leaves The Trees today after two and a half years in your day care. Oxxxxx has been most happy since starting at 10 months old and I have been able to leave him in your care with confidence. Thank you for making Oxxxxx and I feel comfortable in your environment."

"I do not have the words to say thank you for the way all of you have looked after me and cared for me throughout my stay at The Trees. I will always miss your love and care. Again THANK YOU!"

"We would like to say a big thank you for all you have done for Cxxxx during his time at the nursery. Thank you to management as well, as you have always been helpful with any concerns or worries. Much appreciated".