Nature Tots

About Me

Hi, my name is Jen I set up Nature Tots in 2012, I work with a wonderful Assistant Jenny, who mirrors my passion for children and early years education.

I focus my setting on children aged from birth to 4 years 11 months and take pride in providing a warm, nurturing home from home environment which promotes the holistic development of children in my care. My approach is enhanced by outdoor learning and being in nature, which I believe promotes a fantastic learning experience for children.

Child-led play is encouraged here at Nature Tots, it is delivered through a combination of methods including Montessori, Hygge and the Curiosity approaches.

Nature Tots is located in Kingsmead which is a lovely family area. We are located in a quiet cul-de-sac opposite a beautiful wooded green and duck pond. Just a short walk away are numerous play parks and nature walks, making it easy for us to incorporate outdoor activities into our daily routine. We have three children ourselves and our setting is also home to two friendly cats and two well-trained and well-natured Labradors.

Our spacious setting consists of our whole ground floor space, which includes a dedicated playroom, lounge, quiet area, kitchen (which we use for messy play, arts and crafts, and baking), and a large garden, we also have close by, access to our Allotment that we visit during the growing season. All areas are equipped with carefully planned resources and open-ended invitations to play. We encourage children to explore their interests and learn at their own pace.

Our Playroom is full of carefully selected high-quality educational resources, and many of them are within reach or sight for children to self-select. We do a lot of open-ended child-led teaching through carefully planned invitations to play, inspiring imaginations, encouraging new experiences, and encompassing the current interests and next steps of each individual child.

In addition to spending time in the setting, we also participate in an extensive enrichment program that includes Forest Schools, Jo Jingles, Farm and Zoo Visits, Country Parks, Woodland Walks and Playgroups. All of which provide a rich learning environment for the children.

Working with young children is a rewarding experience, and it's an honor to watch them grow and develop. I feel privileged to look after other people's children because they're so precious.

We have a Strong Good Ofsted rating with areas of Outstanding (last inspection was in January 2023), and we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Childminding is an excellent option if you need flexible childcare. Your child will receive all the educational and developmental benefits of the EYFS curriculum, just like in a nursery, but in a more personal home from home environment. Additionally, childminding offers the opportunity to explore the natural world and local community beyond more formal settings.

Our Enrichment Programme and Outings Include: -
Forest School
Jo Jingles (Music & Dance)
Playgroup
Walton Gardens
Local Parks
The Library
Riverside Organic
Tatton Park, Farm & Gardens
Knowsley Safari Park
Chester Zoo
The Beach
Marbury Park
Dunham Massey ... and many more

Activities may include:-
Exploring
Den Building & Construction
Woodland Arts and Crafts
Puddle Jumping
Bug Hunting
Messy & Sensory Play
Cooking & Baking
Gardening
Imaginative Play
Songs, Rhymes & Music
Story Time
Getting muddy, and having fun!