Under 2's

Our Under 2's facilities are bright and spacious. We have separate nappy changing areas and sleep rooms. The play rooms are equipped with long, child-height mirrors and children enjoy spending time in front of them making faces and waving. Part of the area is covered with a soft carpet for crawling on and the remainder has a washable floor for painting, water play and other messy tasks. We have a good range of equipment with baby walkers, peek-a-boo slides and tunnels, activity centres, play rings, ball pits, pull-along toys, a collection of squeezy and squeaky things, soft play toys and lots of cushions. Our rooms make it possible to maintain the highest standard of comfort, hygiene and safety in a brightly-coloured, happy atmosphere.

You will want to know how your baby will spend the day with us. In short he or she will have a good time. Eat, sleep, go for a walk in a pushchair, play outside, explore, sing, listen to stories and play with other children. We believe children under the age of two want to discover new things as much, if not more, than older children and therefore staff will encourage your child to feel new textures, look at bright colours and different shapes, listen to music, clap hands and copy staff and other children's movements – the list is endless. We cover different themes such as 'The Circus' and 'Zoo Animals' to add extra interest. Painting, stories and other activities are arranged which follow our theme. The children take part in activities together. These involve simple exercises and tasks which they all find very enjoyable. For example finger painting, playing musical instruments, stacking and sorting, playing with cardboard tubes and boxes, shaking containers filled with different coloured liquid, looking at books and even playing with spaghetti!

Our main aim is to make your little one feel comfortable just as if they were at home but to ensure they do not become bored. Babies and toddlers enjoy playing with crayons and paper, blocks, sand and water and playdough. They love to imitate by pretending to be on the telephone, wear a hat or play with a doll. They like to be very active at times making lots of noise by singing and dancing, stamping on the floor or banging a drum. Lastly they need to be quiet by listening to stories, sitting on someone's lap, having a hug or even a snooze.

When your child is old enough to move on from our Under 2's rooms we hope he or she will be very settled, keen to visit nursery and ready to join in the fun with the older children in Headstart's 2-5 year rooms.