Nightingales day nursery
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Day nursery staff contacts
Vicky Yates, Childcare Provision Manager
Tel 01535 294092
Email victoria.yates7@nhs.net
Sally Rothwell, Deputy Manager
(Baby Unit, Fledgling & Wagtail rooms)
Tel 01535 294094
Email sally.rothwell2@nhs.net
Charlotte Hine, Deputy Manager
(Kingfisher 1 and 2 rooms)
Tel 01535 294096
Email charlotte.hine@nhs.net
We have an onsite nursery which can be used by parents and grandparents, and other family members working here at Airedale Hospital.
Contacts
Vicky Yates, Childcare Provision Manager
Tel 01535 294092. Email victoria.yates7@nhs.net
Sally Rothwell, Deputy Manager
(Baby Unit, Fledgling & Wagtail rooms)
Tel 01535 294094. Email sally.rothwell2@nhs.net
Charlotte Hine, Deputy Manager
(Kingfisher 1 and 2 rooms)
Tel 01535 294096. Email charlotte.hine@nhs.net
Nightingales day nursery is situated in the hospital grounds, accessed round the back of the hospital in building 10.
Our main ethos is that our children learn through play, and we work in close partnership with parents in order to make sure children achieve their full potential.
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The nursery has been open since 1969 and currently employs 34 members of staff, all of whom have a qualification in early years and hold a paediatric first aid certificate. We can accommodate up to 108 children at any one time from age 10 weeks to 4 years 11 months.
We typically open 7am–6.30pm Monday to Friday (weekends by arrangement, conditions apply).
We have 5 nursery rooms and each room has a room leader and a team of staff in each room.
We work closely with Bradford Early Years advisory team who support our staff with their training needs and audit our practise through the Early Years Quality Improvement Support Programme.
Applications from all NHS staff and family members from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, including grandparents, are welcomed. We do also accept families from outside of the Trust if we are able to accommodate this.
About us
We work within the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and our aim is to provide a stimulating, nurturing, safe and creative environment that will allow each child to develop at their own pace.
Verbal feedback is given at the end of each day. Parents also have access to an app through which they can see information such as meals, nappies, sleep and activities/experiences that the child has had throughout the day.
Each child is designated their own primary key person and a co-key person who together will develop a strong relationship with you and your child.
Regular snacks are provided for our children and all of our meals are supplied by the Trust’s catering provider. There are daily choices for your child including meat, fish, vegetarian and halal. Any special dietary needs can be catered for.
Ducklings – 10 weeks to 18 months
Our ducklings are aged between approximately 10 weeks and 18 months. The staff to child ratio is 1:3 accommodating a maximum of 18 babies over three rooms.
Fledglings – 18 to 27 months
Our fledglings are aged between approximately 18 months and 27 months dependent on the child’s individual needs. The staff to child ratio is 1:3 accommodating a maximum of 18 children over two well equipped rooms.
Wagtails – 2 to 3 years
Our wagtails are aged between approximately 2 and 3 years, dependent on the child’s individual needs. The staff to child ratio is 1:4 accommodating a maximum of 20 children.
When your child is ready for toilet training we have leaflets, books and a wealth of experience to help you and your child; children are encouraged to use the bathroom when required.
Kingfishers – 3 to 5 years
Our kingfishers are aged between approximately 3 and 5 years dependent on the child’s individual needs. The staff child ratio is 1:8 accommodating a maximum of 52 children. We have two well equipped pre-school rooms, with 26 in each room.
Your child’s Learning Journey in the Early Years Foundation Stage documents observations and moments which can be found within the ParentZone app. Your child’s full Learning Journey will also be sent to you by email when your child leaves the nursery so that you are able to access all this information.
Parent Partnership
We have strong partnerships with parents and have an open door policy where we encourage parents to come in and speak to their child’s key person to share the child’s progress. We also have Parents at Play sessions termly and these are fantastic experiences for parents to come in and witness first hand the experiences and activities we provide for the children.
Fees
Full day (9 hours) – £44.50
Full day (10 hours) – £49
Morning half day (7am-1.30pm) – £28
Afternoon half day (12pm-6.30pm) – £28
We recommend applying as soon as possible in advance of requiring a place at the nursery. This allows us to arrange an induction programme for parents and children ensuring that their transition into nursery is a happy one. Places can be offered at shorter notice subject to availability. Please contact Vicky on 01535 294092 to discuss.
Visits are welcomed – please contact us if you’d like to come and look around.
Please us this application form:
Day nursery application form 21.10.21 pdf
Your completed application form can be returned in person to Vicky Yates, emailed to victoria.yates7@nhs.net or posted to:
Nightingales Day Nursery
Airedale NHS Trust
Steeton
Keighley
BD20 6TD
Paying for childcare
Payment for childcare can be taken directly from your salary if you are employed by Airedale NHS Foundation trust, or invoiced to you if you are not.
There are a couple of different ways in which we can help you save money on your childcare which are explained below:
Salary sacrifice scheme
Parents who use Nightingales day Nursery and are employed by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust are able to commit part of their salary to pay for childcare, which is then non-taxable.
Government Tax Free Childcare
This has replaced the childcare voucher scheme and to apply for this parents should access the Childcare Choices website and go through the online application. If you are eligible for this the setting will need your eligibility code to give to the Finance Department. This scheme helps by the Government contributing 20% towards your childcare invoice.
Childcare support service
The childcare support service is here to help and advise you from when you are pregnant or planning to adopt, through to your child being 16, or 18 if they have a disability. The childcare support service is available to all NHS employees throughout Bradford and Airedale District. You can find out more on their website (www.childcarebenefits.bdct.nhs.uk) or by calling 01274 228321.
OFSTED
Our latest Ofsted inspection was in November 2022. Previously the nursery was rated ‘Good’ in September 2015. In our latest inspection, while the nursery was rated ‘Good’ in the Quality of Education and for Behaviour and Attitudes, the inspection team identified weaknesses in Leadership and Management and in Personal Development. Those elements were rated ‘inadequate’ which means our overall rating is now ‘inadequate’.
We have taken immediate action on those recommendations. We have an action plan to help us to do this and the key areas for improvement have already been fully addressed.
The inspectors found many positive strengths within the nursery of which we are proud:
- OFSTED said that children are happy in the nursery. They feel secure in the care of the warm and dedicated staff team.
- OFSTED said the nursery has a strong staff team that interacts well with children.
- Inspectors identified that ‘Staff engage children in tasks and activities that interest them. As a result children behave well. When children need extra support with their behaviour, staff are gentle and patient. This supports children to feel calm and helps them to make the right choices.’
- Home links between nursery and home were praised as OFSTED found that ‘Parents and carers receive a wide range of information when their children first attend the nursery. For example, managers provide parents with information about healthy eating and looking after their children’s teeth. Parents can find out about their children’s development and progress via an online app. They enjoy ‘Parents at play’ sessions, which allow them to visit the nursery and find out about how staff support children’s development.
OFSTED also praised the fact that managers and staff meet with children’s new teachers before they start school, to provide a smooth move for children and to help them settle more quickly.
