Barn Owls

Between the ages of 2 to 3 years old

Our Barn Owls nursery offers a large play space inside as well as direct free flow access to our outdoor classroom under the canopy. Our Barn Owls also benefit from access to the main nursery garden and large sandpit area with is thoroughly enjoyed by all of our children.

Just off the main play space our Barn Owls children have access to their own toilet and bathroom area which supports them in gaining independence with toilet training and self-care.

Our focus in Barn owls is supporting children’s physical abilities and developing both gross and fine motor skills, communication skills and ensuring our children are effective communicators, emotional regulation in helping to understand their own feelings and emotions as well as those of their peers and their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

Barn Owls is lead by Abbie Talbot- Jones and Abbie is supported by a team of qualified and experienced nursery practitioners. The team who work within Barn Owls have a plethora of skills and experience in working with our 2-3 year olds. Abbie, Millie and Penelope-Eve are transitioning with our Snowy Owls this Summer as they become Barn Owls which will be of benefit for both the children and their families and facilitate a smooth transition.

What’s New?

Our Barn Owls has been restructured to specifically meet the needs of the age group. We have 20 children in Barn Owls and operate on a ratio of 1:5. A new changing unit has been installed in the bathrooms to meet the needs of children who are not yet toilet trained. The same procedures are in place for handovers and storage of children’s belongings.

An Indoor climbing frame is being assembled on the carpet area for children to practise and enhance their physical skills. Free flow access to the garden and sandpit area enhances the opportunities for children to run, climb, explore and engage with provision that promotes development across every area of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Birth to 5 Matters.

Our Early Years Education

At Little Owls we learn through play. We believe the most important factors in the early years is giving the children the opportunities and experiences that help them develop their sense of self and pride in their unique and individual skills and abilities.

80% of the children’s day is interest driven play which is enhanced and scaffolded by our team of experienced nursery practitioners. Our continuous provision means there is always an abundance of literacy, imaginative play, opportunities to recreate roles and experiences, opened ended creative play, malleable and messy play, engagement with our natural world and opportunities to construct and create.

20% of the children’s day is ‘Adult Led’ this term refers to activities and experiences that the adults plan and deliver specifically based on children’s stage of development. In planning for this our team triangulate the principles of meaningful learning by considering – what the children already know, what their interests are – and what’s going on in the world around them. Meaningful learning experiences are then planned and delivered to support your children’s continued progress across the Early Years Foundation Stage & Birth to Five Matters.