My day as a nursery practitioner typically begins between 7:45 am and 8:00 am. I greet my team with a cheerful “Good morning!” before diving into our routine in the Supernova room for pre-schoolers. We start by reviewing the jobs board and rotating morning tasks, such as:
- Conducting daily risk assessments for indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Setting up the balcony for outdoor play.
- Preparing Finger Gym activities.
- Organising breakfast.
This ensures all learning spaces are ready for the children’s arrival at Bright Little Stars Nursery.
8:00 am: Parents begin dropping off their children, and a staff member on ‘Collection’ duty greets families, noting any important details. Breakfast runs until 8:45 am, with children washing their hands independently before eating. Their favourite cereal? Cheerios! We also offer toast, bagels, or crumpets. Dietary needs are carefully managed, with staff marked by a red apron overseeing children with special diets. For those not eating breakfast, there are Finger Gym or mark-making activities to enjoy.
9:00 am: It’s ‘Get Together’ time, where staff and children gather in smaller groups for tailored sessions. Afterward, children dive into adult-led activities.
9:30 am – 11:00 am: The children engage in child-led play, with rolling snacks like fruits or vegetables available. They enjoy free-flow play, choosing to be inside or on the balcony.
11:00 am: Tidy-up time, made fun with the “Mission Impossible” theme tune—always a hit with both children and staff.
11:30 am: Lunchtime! After washing hands, the children enjoy a meal prepared by our nursery chef, with favourites like lentil dahl or mac and cheese. Lunch is also a great time for chatting with the children.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Babies and toddlers nap, while pre-schoolers split into groups for outdoor play or quiet indoor activities.
1:00 pm: The afternoon mirrors the morning, with additional extracurriculars like Little Supernovas (storytelling), Mini Lingos (Spanish), Super Star Sports, and Yogi Power (yoga). Throughout the day, Key Persons facilitate learning and document each child’s progress via the EYLOG app.
As the day winds down, parents begin picking up their children from 4:00 pm. One of my favourite parts is sharing personalised feedback with parents, highlighting their child’s day and progress.
By 6:00 pm, it’s time to head home, ready to do it all again tomorrow!
