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Seashells Nursery


At Seashells we provide a warm, caring environment for even the youngest children to flourish.  We provide childcare from the ages of 3 months to 7 years over our two rooms – Jellyfish (0-2), Ocean room (18 months upwards)

In each room we provide our children with lots of new and exciting activities including;

  • Messy play – an opportunity to use their senses to explore different textures
  • Drawing and painting – for our budding artists to practise their skills
  • Play dough and clay – malleable materials to form masterpieces
  • Sand and water – to practice pouring and digging
  • Construction – to build and construct using a varied range of large and small objects and tools
  • Home corner and role playing – using our imaginations to create different scenarios
  • Reading corner – to listen and look to books with adults and independently
  • Music – singing, making music with instruments and dancing
  • Cosy areas – to relax and chill out
  • Sleep areas- for napping following parents’ wishes

 

We love to provide opportunities for children to play imaginatively with natural and open-ended resources – we love to see them create play opportunities whilst learning about nature and the world around us, using their imagination to make wonderful activities. 

At Seashells we are lucky to have large areas inside so we can play with big scale activities – big blocks to build with, rolls of paper to paint etc!

We have our African land snails and stick insects.  We teach our children how to care for our pets.

We have a fenced outside area and can use the large playing field, but we often go into the wider environment, visiting parks and local shops. 

We are unique in being able to offer fully flexible hours (1 weeks notice required) and can accommodate shift patterns and parents needs. We are open 50 weeks per year 8 am - 6 pm, closed on Bank Holidays and two weeks at Christmas.

We believe in working closely with parents and carers, we are a friendly team ready to welcome you into our Seashells family, please pop in and meet us all!

 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Sarah Kingsman
Contact Position
Owner/Manager
Telephone
07956 057 323
E-mail
babyseashells@btinternet.com

Where to go

Address
4
Station Road
New Romney
Kent
Postcode
TN28 8LG

When is it on?

When is childcare available
Open All Year
Carescheme Age Range:
year(s), 3 month(s) to 5 year(s), month(s)
Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 8 am 6 pm
Tuesday 8 am 6 pm
Wednesday 8 am 6 pm
Thursday 8 am 6 pm
Friday 8 am 6 pm
Other Availability
closed for two weeks at Christmas and on bank holidays

Other Details

Table of costs
Table of costs
AmountCost Type
under 2's £5.10 Per hour
2 year old's £4.20 Per hour
3 and over £4.10 Per hour
holiday club £5.00 Per hour
ECD Type
Day Nursery
Offers pickups
No
Cost(s)
3-4 Year Old Funding?
Yes
2 Year Old Funding?
Yes
Contact Provider for Vacancy Details?
Yes
Vacancy Information Last updated Date
02/12/2022
Facilities
Music, Literacy and Numeracy, Computers / It, Messy Play Area, Cookery, Toys/dolls, Dressing Up, Dance, Nursery, Outdoor Activities, Pets, Play House, Puppets, Water Play, Quiet Room, Games / Puzzles, Visits and Outings, Garden, Walks, Sandpit, Arts And Crafts, Reading, Woodwork, Refreshments, Books, Sign Language / Makaton, Sensory Room, Car Parking, Songs, Sleeping Area, Library Visits, Stories, Sports
Languages Spoken:
English
Wheelchair Access
Yes

Ofsted Information

Ofsted URN
EY561136
Link to latest ofsted inspection report 

30 Hours Extended Entitlement

Registered to provide up to 30 hours entitlement
Yes
30 Hours Partner Details (These are details of any other childcare provider(s) that this provider will work with to offer the 30 hours entitlement)

We offer 30 hours term time or 23 hours per week stretched across the year funding.  We have no restrictions on when you can access these hours.

Service status

Status
Open

Local Offer

Special Needs Support

How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND? 

How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND?

 

At Seashells we pride ourselves on getting to know our children and families well.  Our settling in process involves a settle session –including meeting with your child’s new key person, completing the ‘All about me’ form and discussing all aspects of your child’s needs and interests.  T

During the first month with us, your child’s keyperson will complete a ‘baseline’ assessment using the Government’s framework for nursery settings, and this is used to plan next steps for the following term to support specific areas of development.

We have regular opportunities to share any concerns with your child’s development, we complete a statutory ‘Progress Check’ at 2 years old and share your child's progress in various ways - including sharing observations and holding meetings.

Our Special Educational Needs Co-coordinator (SENCo) is Lisa Thompson, she supports our families to ensure they have the resources and help they need to support your child’s development.

How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported? 

How will I be informed or consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported?

 

We believe in strong, close and caring relationships between our families and ourselves.  Your child will be given a special person, called a keyperson, to work closely to with you.   Your child’s keyperson will compile a learning journey by observing your child’s play including photographs of all the exciting things they will be doing! The keyperson will also assess your child’s development through observations and be available to discuss any issues.  We will work closely with you to discuss any issues that arise and to ensure that the correct support is provided.

How will the setting adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for my child's needs? 

How will Seashells adapt the EYFS framework for my child’s needs?

 

Communication and Language

We provide play experiences that are rich in language, encouraging children to expand their vocabularies, using language to extend their play.  Staff are trained in using Makaton and we support communication using different methods included visual aids.  We work closely with the Speech and Language Therapy Team to ensure consistent support is provided.

 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We promote our children’s wellbeing and social development at Seashells by encouraging caring for each other and friendships.  We work with the local specialist provision to gather support and advice to ensure the best environment for social skills to flourish.  There are opportunities for small group work and individual activities.

 

Physical Development

We have daily opportunities to play outside with different activities and often go on trips in the wider area, we have a turtle bus and walk-a-diles so we can explore the local environment.  At Seashells we are sensitive to children’s dietary needs and will discuss how we can support them.

What teaching strategies does the setting use for children with additional needs or learning difficulties? 

What teaching strategies does Seashells use for children with additional needs or learning

Environment

We benefit from a large, bright open space inside, which enables us to play with larger equipment to promote physical development.  Our walls are neutral, and we have soft furnishings in all rooms to encourage well-being and calm.  Every room has calm areas for quiet and targeted activities.

 

Resources

We have a range of resources for every age and stage of development, our SENCo will work with key persons to help to identify and obtain any specialist equipment if necessary.  We will work with outside agencies to claim extra support and funding if needed.

 

Teaching strategies

All staff at Seashells are trained to at least NVQ level 2, with most staff trained in Makaton and other staff trained in more specialist areas – e.g. ASD.  We use the Best Practice Guidance to support our teaching, to ensure we support all areas of need.  This guide was written by the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service and contains a range of strategies which can be used to support children.  The guide has three levels – universal, targeted and personal to support children in the four broad areas of need – they are, as detailed in the SEND Code of Practice

  • Communication and interaction
  • Cognition and learning
  • Social emotional and mental health
  • Physical/sensory difficulties

What additional support does the setting provide for children with additional needs or SEND? 

What additional support does Seashells provide for children with additional needs or SEND?

We begin to support your child using a targeted plan, which sets out the methods we will use to support your child’s needs.  The targeted plan is shared with parents before being implemented with parent contributions valued and welcomed.

 

If we feel your child would benefit from support from outside agencies (for example Speech and Language Therapy) after a period of implementing the targeted plan, we will discuss the procedures and what will happen next.  Your child will have a more detailed plan of support called a ‘personalised plan’.

If required, our SENCo and your child’s key person may discuss a referral to the Specialist Teaching Service through the Local Inclusion Team Forum (LIFT) meeting that are held six times a year.  If the referral is accepted, a specialist teacher will visit Seashells to see your child and advise staff on how best to support their needs. At all stages you will be consulted.

All staff are regularly encouraged to widen their experiences and knowledge and attend some relevant training courses.  Recently different members of our setting have had training in Makaton, ASD, Supporting Boys, Literacy and Mathematics.

We are committed to research on how to best support children’s additional needs before they start with us.

How will the setting monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this? 

How will Seashells monitor my child’s progress and how I will be involved in this

 

Our keyperson system ensures that as well as sensitive and caring relationships are built, that your child’s progress is recorded and monitored, and shared with parents.  This is especially important with children with additional educational needs.

Your child’s learning journey is always available to view, and your child’s keyperson will be happy to make an appointment with you to discuss any issues – we do have regular parent evenings too.

We make an overall assessment of your child’s development on a regular basis.  We also complete the Progress Check at Age Two which we will provide when possible before the check with the health visitor, to help us all work together to get a clearer picture of your child’s overall development.

 

How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips? 

How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips?

We work hard at Seashells to ensure that all children can participate in all activities, we plan carefully, adapting them when necessary to ensure they are accessible for all.  We may, for example, provide quieter, smaller groups for story time to ensure that your child has the best experience and support.

We have regular trips into the local community – these are risk assessed and checked by a member of staff before going and we have an outings bag containing a first aid box and children’s emergency details.  We have a turtle bus to support children who may find walking for long periods difficult.

 

How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users? 

How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties/wheelchair users?

The setting is all on one level with wide, double doorways.  We will make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all areas are accessible.

How will you support my child's transition to a new setting or school? 

How will you support my child’s transition to a new setting or school?

 

We have good links with all the local primary schools and work hard during the last term to ensure a smooth transition.  We invite the teachers to come and meet the children whilst they are at nursery and will discuss any special requirements or issues that your child may have.  We transfer progress records with consent and encourage the children to complete a poem, with adult support, about themselves.  We have school activities such as dress up and role play too.

How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers take part in this evaluation? 

How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents/carers take part in this evaluation?

We work regularly with the specialist teaching service, who support and advise us on the best practice to support children with SEN in our care.   Our SENCo attends LIFT meetings and we work in a collaboration with other local settings to share knowledge and training.

We have regular staff meetings for us to discuss any issues and to share ideas and knowledge.  We also have questionnaires for parents to share their views and concerns.

Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at the setting? 

Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at Seashells?

Please contact us  to discuss a time to visit us for a look around and to meet the team.  We offer a settle session, with the parent to gain information about your child and for the child to get to know us, further sessions can be required if necessary. Any additional support and funding required will be discussed during these visits.

What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents / carers, including compliments and complaints? 

What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents/carers, including compliments and complaints?

At Seashells, we pride ourselves on our open-door policy – there are always staff available to listen to any concerns and a senior member of staff will be happy to meet with you in private.  We have a friendly team who are happy to reassure parents and resolve issues if possible.  We have a robust complaints procedure, and this is on display in the lobby.  We have regular parent questionnaires to gain feedback and suggestions.

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