Pedagogy

We recognise that all children are unique.

A blend of their genes and early experiences, this means that all children have their own learning style. Adhering rigidly to one child development theory, practice or methodology will benefit some and disadvantage others. So, we draw inspiration from many: Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Forest School Approach, The Froebel Approach… What children need most is love and care from a responsive Key Person who recognises their child’s changing needs and alters their interactive style to suit.

Woodberry Day Nursery recognises that children learn best through play.

Play’s vital role in fostering young children’s healthy social and psychological development is well documented. Play not only aids children’s mental and physical health, it teaches them risk taking and problem-solving skills, promoting imagination, independence and creativity. We see adults as facilitators to play: ensuring children have an enriched environment to explore their interests, free access to resources, acting as collaborators, inspiring, encouraging and challenging.

There is a point when children need to be supported by an adult to extend their thinking and learning. We call this a “teachable moment”. It may come during a moment of sustained shared thinking; the child’s key person sees an opportunity to extend the child’s learning, achieving a new milestone. The child’s Key Person may have known this moment was imminent, it may be a pleasant surprise. Either way, they have the skills and the resources to support their child through this new experience. One resource we use to guide us is the EYFS.

Meet our team

Woodberry-Day-Nursery-cheryl

Cheryl

Manager of the Sholing nursery

Cheryl joined Woodberry Day Nursery Ltd in June 2016 as the Manager of the Sholing nursery. With her BA in Early Education and Early Years Professional Status and brimming with enthusiasm, she jumped in at the deep end: OFSTED came to inspect the setting just a few weeks later and the nursery achieved 'OUTSTANDING!'. A trained SENDCo and Designated Safeguarding Officer, Cheryl works closely with each member of her team to ensure that their continual professional development results in the very best care and education for all of our children. Cheryl has been instrumental in rolling out “In the moment planning” for our older children, being led by their interests having read about the example set by Carterhatch Infant School. Alongside child-led learning, Cheryl sees the benefit of short but regular adult led inputs – especially in the preschool – and has recently rolled out the use of “Action Stories” to broaden the children’s storytelling vocabulary.
Woodberry-Day-Nursery-Beth

Beth

Nurture Co-Ordinator

Beth joined Woodberry Day Nursery Ltd in September 2012 as a Nursery Practitioner working with children under two. She had gained her level 3 qualification and was thrilled to be given the chance to put her passion for childcare into practice. Whilst working at Woodberry, Beth achieved a Level 5 Foundation Degree. As Beth’s experience grew she took her first steps into leadership, working with our toddlers and pre-schoolers. Well known for her warmth and connection with children, Beth has recently introduced the role of Nurture Co-Ordinator. From a child’s perspective, she has reviewed and enhanced our Key Person approach and how we help new children to settle.
Woodberry-Day-Nursery-Kirsty

Kirsty

Leader of Under Two’s team

Kirsty joined our team in 2008 as an apprentice. Having achieved her level 3 qualification, she went on to study line management as she took her first steps as leader of our Under Two’s team. Now an experienced leader with ten years’ experience of caring for babies and toddlers, there is little that she hasn’t encountered – this makes her a fantastic source of reassurance and knowledge to our families. As you would expect, working with the Under Two’s, a great focus for Kirsty’s leadership is supporting children in the development of the three “Prime Areas”: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Communication and Language. She supports her team to deliver personalised next steps for each of their Key Children.
Woodberry Day nursery Kelly

Kelly

Director

Kelly is one of four directors at the setting. She gained her first experience of the early years at a school work experience placement as a teenager. She was instantly and profoundly affected by the experience and knew that she would spend the rest of her career seeking to provide the very best in care and education to the very young. Kelly went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in Biology and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education. Kelly has worked as a teacher in the Early Years, in Primary Schools and as a Primary Coordinator in a “support and challenge” role – an ambassador for children looked after in Oxfordshire. Kelly feels strongly that childcare and education should be built on two basic principles: every child should feel loved, every child should feel listened to. She is a is a devotee to the child led philsophy and the application of attachment theory.
Shane Woodberry Day Nursery

Shane

Director

Shane has been a Director at Woodberry Day Nurseries since it opened. Whilst studying for a BA (Hons) in Early Years Care and Education followed by Early Years Teacher Status, he developed an interest in the impact of the nursery environment on the wellbeing and development of children in the Early Years. Shane combined with this his substantial experience of the construction industry and the reality of being a parent to two young children to design our Peartree setting from scratch and enable us to greatly extend and renovate our Sholing setting without imposing closure on our families or disrupting the children’s nursery experience. He is inspired by aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach and Montessori education, both of which highlight the importance of the educational environment in supporting children to develop skills and independence at an early age by following pursuits of their own interest.

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