At Leo’s West Bridgford we know how important rich environments are for children – they positively impact their growth, their development, their happiness and their wellbeing. Our outstanding environments will only go so far to helping each child in the Leo’s West Bridgford family be the most complete version of themselves – it’s our loving and caring staff team that do the rest – but we make sure that our environments offer every child everything they need.
Our indoor environments start with a calming and tranquil colour scheme. We let our equipment and resources be the source of excitement for our children. We then select the best equipment available for Early Years and equip each of our rooms with age and ‘stage of development’ specific items to give our children a fantastic base environment.
At Leo’s West Bridgford Day Nursery we know how much of an individual every single child in our care is, which is why we have curated a selection of resources that allows us to meet every child where they are on their own journey, and to guide them along their path, whatever it may be. We cater for all personalities and ensure that they can be comfortable expressing who they are and having an environment they are secure in.
Each of our rooms is laid out to include cosy, quiet areas as well as creative areas and physical play areas; and whilst we do offer our children specific, structured activities we also allow them to make their own choices about their interests, and never lock them into regimented routines doing things they don’t enjoy. Our environments are all about children being able to learn through play and enjoyment.
Our outdoor environment is also superb. We have our own secure garden for the children to spend time in. It comprises of both lawned and hard-standing spaces which we have designed so that the children can enjoy the joys of childhood running and playing freely but also have the fun of ride-on play and other features that we base on solid surfaces. These include large climbing equipment, dens and cosy areas, a Growing Patch, a Mud Kitchen, a Construction Area and a Sensory Garden. We have also made sure that there are some fabulous mature trees in our outdoor environment as it’s a high priority to us that we foster a deep connection to nature in our children.
One of the more unique aspects of the environments at Leo’s West Bridgford is that we don’t limit that environment to the nursery and grounds themselves. We are a nursery that is incredibly active in our community and local area – taking the children for visits to nearby Bridgford Park – and for tennis sessions. Being only a short walk away from West Bridgford town centre means we also go on adventures making full use of the local amenities. Donning distinctive Leo’s fluorescent tabards, small groups of our children and Practitioners are a regular sight in the local shops, library and parks, and we believe this benefits the children massively. Whilst we love the cocoon that the nursery itself provides, we love seeing the children learn to interact safely with the wider world and to begin to understand all that it holds – and the opportunities it offers them.