Stoney Heath

After 15 years and with two very successful nurseries in Burghfield and Reading, Julie and Nina set up the Stoney Heath nursery in a stunning barn conversion in a countryside setting. They came with a wealth of experience including an impressive 2 consecutive OUTSTANDING Ofsted awards.  It did not take long the word to spread, the nursery is now well established and headed up by our management team of Lianne Gilbert and Kirsty Allen, overseen by Julie who still works at the nursery.

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Little Tots Nurseries offers the best foundation for life, the Montessori philosophy is to teach children independence from an early age, every child learns at their own pace and is treated as an individual.  We also pride ourselves on our Forest School which is an inspirational experience, that offers children the opportunity to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment.  To complement our nursery day we also offer extra curriculum activities e.g. Children’s Yoga, Music & Dance and Cooking sessions.

Unlike many nurseries, we benefit from a smaller environment, we take a personal approach and the children remain with the same staff and peer group throughout their time with us, helping them form relationships and gain confidence. All our children are integrated benefiting from strong social bonds, stability and continuity of care. The Montessori ethos encourages “family grouping” where children aged 2-5 work together, with the older children acting as role models for the younger children and the younger children benefiting from learning by  example from the older children.  Little Tots put the child and parent’s needs first.

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Advantages of Non Transition Room Changes:

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• The mixed age group environment creates an atmosphere where children learn to help and be helped by other children, because they interact consistently with children whose age and abilities are varied. Children gain an appreciation for their achievement and the accomplishments of others, and are naturally challenged by the achievements of others.

• Children develop a strong sense of community and stability

• ​Your Key worker truly learns each individual child’s learning abilities, style, and developmental level, allowing them to set accurate learning goals as well as build on strengths and work on weaknesses.

• We promote “Family Grouping” where there are no “rooms” and a key person is free to move about the space with her/his group of children, like you would in a home environment

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Montessori

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The Montessori philosophy is to teach children independence from an early age.  Every child will learn at their own pace and is treated as an individual.  Montessori has a proven approach to education which is based on a deep understanding of the way children learn, through choosing, trying and doing themselves, rather than being told.  This manifests into confidence and joy of learning, as they develop self-belief, satisfaction in success and improve their abilities as problem solvers.  The Montessori approach helps put children on the path to becoming confident, self-motivated learners. 

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Forest School

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We also pride ourselves on being the local pioneer’s of Forest School which is an inspirational experience, which many nursery settings now copy.  We were the first to recognise Forest School and what it can bring to offer children the opportunity to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment.  The nursery owner’s travelled to Norway to explore the full Forest School experience and after extensive training started the first Forest School in the area. 

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At Stoney Heath, we are fortunate enough to have access to two sites where we are able to provide Forest School opportunities. Our closest site is located just behind Hollybush Farm, where our nursery is situated.  The land boasts a large woodland, fields and a lake.  Our other site belongs to Mortimer West End Chapel within a gated entrance beside the Church hall.  It is approximately 4 acres in size.  Both sites are wooded with several kinds of trees, including Oak, Yew, Beech and Holly.

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There are several seated areas at both sites and at Mortimer West End, there are Fire Pits alongside the seated areas.

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Around the Forest School sites there are:-

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Bug homes, areas to build shelters, densely vegetated areas with ferns and wild flowers/nettles, a log pile for creating a natural habitat for wildlife, logs and trees to climb, a muddy bank full of holes, mounds and slopes to test out jumping, balancing and sliding down.

Badgers are set nearby the far camp fire/seating area at Mortimer West End site and ducks near to the seating area at the Stoney Heath site.  We watch these animals carefully and treat the surrounding areas with respect.

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Forest School is a life enriching experience for children, which allows them to nurture nature and gives them a lifelong passion for being outdoors.

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Opening Hours

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Monday to Friday – 8 am-6 pm

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Flexible Sessions Available

Open 51 weeks of the year – only closed over the Christmas period and Bank Holidays.

Children aged 6 months – 5 years

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Little Tots Montessori Nursery – Stoney Heath, offers:

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       Open 51 weeks of the year (only closed Bank Holidays & the Christmas Period)

       Opening Hours 8am – 6pm

       Privately owned – owner working at nursery

       Exceptional quality Montessori education

       Forest School

       Enchanted Garden with interactive stream and crooked playhouse

       Yoga

       Music & dance sessions

       Cooking

       Latest technology – ParentZone – a smartphone/tablet app that brings you closer to your

      child’s development at nursery

       Excellent care with highly qualified mature staff

       Highly competitive rates

       Clean, calm, and airy premises

       Happy, safe, and stimulating environment

       Healthy & daily prepared cooked meals – lunch & tea.  All allergies/dietary catered for

       Outdoor learning

       Countryside location

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Please check out the Netmums page, for testimonials from parents:  http://www.netmums.com/north-hants/local/view/childcare/full-daycare/little-tots-montessori-nursery