About the Nursery

The nursery caters for children aged 0-5 years and also houses one of the Sure Start Children’s Centres for Canvey Island. We also provide after school care for school children aged up to 8years old.

The nursery was established in May 1960 by Amelia Blackwell and before being Little Tewkes was original called “Amelia Blackwell”. Our purpose built building was opened on 20th November 2006. A great advantage of our nursery is its prime location situated in an area of greenbelt overlooking Tewkes Creek and Hadley Castle. We have a lockable pram port so you can leave your pram at the nursery knowing that it will be safe, we also have full disabled access and a landscaped play area for children to play outside.

We are members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and we are Ofsted registered.

There is ample free car parking to the front of the building; we would ask that this facility is used only for the arrival and departure of children and with the utmost care.

All our children are lovingly cared for by our fully qualified and experienced staff carefully chosen for their caring attitude, patience, understanding and genuine love for children. All of our staff hold current first aid, food hygiene, safeguarding and equal opportunity certificates together with their nationally recognized child care qualification. Each member of staff holds a post of responsibility to ensure that every area of play and learning is addressed and as important as another.

All members of staff are required to be registered with Ofsted and have police and medical clearance to work with children. We ask that children address the staff by their Christian names as we feel this establishes a more relaxed and personal relationship.

Our Aims

1. To provide a stimulating, caring and safe environment for ALL children in our care, as well as staff and families.
2. To actively promote the development of positive self image within the children.
3. To be involved with the local community, giving each child a positive sense of citizenship.
4. To provide a welcoming atmosphere that makes the child and the parent/carer feel happy, secure and comfortable within the nursery environment.
5. To follow the guidance within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to meet the needs of each individual child.
6. To provide children with a varied, healthy diet, fresh air, exercise, rest and play to contribute to their general well being.
7. To support the children’s families and work patterns in an open and honest way.
8. To create a non-prejudiced atmosphere by doing the following:
   1. Introducing appropriate books, toys and games.
   2. Welcoming the ethnic minority contributions to the policies and practices of the nursery.
   3. Providing positive images of different ethnic minorities and cultures e.g. posters, toys, clothing, festivals.