Holiday Club
Barn Owl Holiday Club will open in August 2016 and can offer your child a fun filled, action packed school holiday with exciting games and activities, delivered in a safe and supervised environment.
FEEL COMPLETELY SATISFIED THAT YOUR CHILD IS GETTING THE VERY BEST CARE
Welcome to Barn Owl Day Nursery, we are a privately run nursery registered with OFSTED and based in a large refurbished house, we are ideally placed to the West of Reading for easy access to Reading Town Centre and surrounding areas. The Nursery is registered for 60 children.
We provide a safe and loving environment for your child to prosper and grow. We encourage learning through stimulating and structured routine and aim to give each child the individual attention they need at this early stage in their development and education.
The nursery supports and employs students undertaking their level 2 and 3 qualifications in childcare.
We also work in conjunction with local schools and colleges and offer work experience to students requiring it.
Your precious little ones become our precious little ones when they come to play at our beautiful setting. We are parents too, and know that you only want the best for your children.
Nursery ManagerAlison set the nursery up in 2006 for the owner Paul Lynch. She has worked in childcare since qualifying at college in 1990. Alison has lots of experience in a range of childcare settings including pre-schools and crèches. Since leaving college in 1990 Alison has undertaken several further qualifications including level 3 in Management and the level 5 in leadership and management. Alison is the behaviour officer, safer recruitment officer and Child protection officer at the nursery.
Deputy ManagerCheryl began working at the nursery in 2011 so she could gain her level 3 qualification in childcare. Cheryl qualified her level 3 training in mid 2013. Once qualified, Cheryl moved onto new beginnings but came back to us in 2017. Cheryl worked her way up through the ranks and became deputy manager in 2019. Cheryl is the named SENCO, first aid trained and has the level 2 award in food safety.
3rd in Charge Qualified Lvl 3 Nursery NurseNadia initially joined Barn owl in 2012 whilst studying for her level 2 in childcare, Nadia passed this in May 2013 and quickly progressed onto her level 3 training completing this in 2015. Once qualified Nadia moved onto new beginnings but came back to Barn Owl in May 2017. Nadia is the room leader of baby room and become 3rd in charge of the nursery in 2020. Nadia holds a level 2 award in food safety and a child sexual exploitation e-learning course. Nadia is also in charge of health and safety within the nursery carrying out all risk assessments.
Lvl 3 Qualified Nursery Nurse & Pre-school ManagerGraham joined Barn Owl as a level 3 apprentice in 2009. He then qualified his level 3 training in 2011 but then moved onto new beginnings in 2012. Graham joined us again in 2018, as a pre-school manager. Graham holds a current first aid certificate, and is a deputy safeguarding officer.
Lvl 3 Qualified Nursery NurseCallie joined Barn owl in 2017 whilst she was studying for her level 2 in childcare, she passed this in 2018 and remained with us to complete her level 3 which she did in July 2020. Once qualified Callie stayed with us as a qualified nursery nurse and works 2 days a week in Toddler room. Callie is first aid trained.
In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening, and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes.
Children are given opportunities to experience a rich language environment, to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves, and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing and, when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves.
A well-stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, able to handle them and aware of their uses, both for references and as a source of stories and pictures.
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out of doors allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own physical skills.
A very high level of adult supervision enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing.
At the same time, children are supported in the development of the finer motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.
Children are helped to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults.
Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and its property.
By means of adult-supported practical experiences, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities which form the basis for early mathematics.
As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number.
Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences, and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding.
A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings.
Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community. A range of safe and well maintained equipment enables the children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and solve problems.
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings. They are encouraged to construct their own individual response to experience in two and three dimensions.
Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage.
Children join in with and respond to music.
To all the staff at Barn Owls Pre-school,
A huge thank you from Stephanie to say she has come from being a very shy and clingy 3 year old to a confident, cheeky and independent 4 year old.
She has developed so much.
I am sure Stephanie will miss everyone.
Thank you!
Jackie
Our heartfelt thanks to you all for taking such good care of Amera.
Wishing you all the best.
Laura and Ahmood
Thank you for everything you have done for him over the years and making his many hours with you enjoyable for him. I don’t recall him ever not wanting to come in to nursery / pre-school due to not enjoying it so the dedication and friendliness of your staff have really made it for him. Thank you, we really appreciate it.
Chris
Children are happy and content in the nursery. They arrive eager to play and learn Staff are warm and caring, providing cuddles and reassurance when needed.”
Ofsted 2016
Millie will really miss you all dearly the end of this week. I just wanted to say how happy we are that Millie has done so well and always been happy at pre-school.
Sharon
To all the staff at Barn Owl Day Nursery,
Thank you very much for all the care, love and affection you gave to both my children. While they were with you they both have very fond memories of their nursery. We wish you all the very best for the future.
Thanks again!
Vivek and Caverna
On Lucas last day at Barn Owl we just wanted to say thanks for all your kindness over the years. It was 7 and a half years ago when I first brought Caspar to the Barn for a visit and I still remember how you showed him round and made him feel welcome, even though he was just a little baby.
You’ve looked after our boys so well and given them a great start in life.
With heartfelt thanks and lots of love!
Rowan and Mark
Thank you for all your help and support, you are truly an amzing person. Your kindness and help has been very much appreciated.Lucy, John, Josh and Millie
Dear Alison and The Barn Owl Team,
Just a note to say thank you for the outstanding work you do everyday.Joseph & Alexander
Thank you ALL so much for being such a wonderful, understanding, flexible and joyful support to all babies, children and parents.
Eric & Family
A huge thank you for helping Ethan settle into your nursery. He has become more confident and is doing so well with potty training.
To hear home come home telling me about his day is wonderful. You do an excellent job at making my baby happy and feel safe and that’s all any mum wants for their child.
Louise, Chris and Ethan
We accept 15/30 hours funding for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year old children.
We are able to accept childcare vouchers.
Hourly rate must be used with either a morning or afternoon session.
Late collections will be charged at £15.00 for every 15 minutes or part of.
FEES ARE DUE IN ADVANCE ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH
At Barn Owl Day Nursery we believe that mealtimes should be social, happy times where skills can be developed and foods tasted! We want your child to benefit from eating healthy and nutritious food.
All meals are balanced across all the food groups. Food is prepared and cooked from source and has a low or zero salt content. We use only natural flavourings such as fresh herbs and use raw food where possible to maximise vitamin content. Water, milk and fruit juice are available throughout the day.
If you have any special dietary requirements, we can cater for your child on an individual basis.
Sample Menu:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | Roast Beef | Pizza (meats, cheese and tomato) | Chicken Breast Curry | Lasagne | Chicken Breast |
| Carb | Roast Potatoes Yorkshire Pudding | Garlic Bread | Wholemeal Rice | Lasagne | Jacket Wedges |
| Veg | Peas | Green Salad | Roasted Carrots | Brocoli | Sweetcorn |
| Veggie Protein | Spinach Pasta Bake | Cheese | Lentil Curry | Quorn Lasagne | Vegetable Goujons |
| Pudding | Apple and Banana Crisp | Fresh Fruit Smoothie | Fruit Salad | Raisin Cookie | Chocolate Sponge and Custard |
Here at Barn owl day Pre-School we will be offering the 30 hours FREE from September 2017. (Places are limited)