We aim for a consistently high standard of facilities, education and service at all Little Fishes Soft-Playskools. 

An overview of our basic Little Fishes equipment and facilities is below.  We regularly add to our equipment and carry out regular refreshing of the nursery space to keep children stimulated.  Details of any changes or specific improvements or new acquisitions will be highlighted on our news page.

In all Little Fishes nurseries:

All areas are open plan and separated by Little Fishes’ trademark ‘wibbly-wobbly-walls’.

Some areas can be temporarily separated off by curtains to allow for ‘quiet times’ but we like to keep it open plan to enhance the welcoming and all-inclusive atmosphere to the nursery.

Each area has plenty of storage for equipment and display space for the children’s work, although the walls are also painted with lovely bright colours and the Little Fishes artwork which is exclusive to our nursery.

Each age group has their base area where they will have their circle time but the timetable is such that they rotate during the day so that all age groups have the opportunity to enjoy all of the facilities and age groups mix in the afternoons.

Although all areas have natural light this is boosted by most areas being lit by tri-phosporous bulbs which mimics the ‘white’ light in the natural spectrum which is responsible for prompting release of serotonin (the ‘happy hormone’) and reduces the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, so that we have happy children even on dull days!

Fire Alarms are present in the Front and Back rooms and Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets are easily accessible for staff to use in an emergency.

The kitchenette is for staff only, although from time-to-time the facilities may be used for activities with the children. (e.g. melting/freezing experiments, making soup etc) This is always under close adult supervision.

Each Little Fishes Soft-PlaySkool is set out to provide the following facilities ~

Entrance area

• Displays of children’s work.
• Pegs for coats.
• Parent information, posters etc

Front Room (Tweenies base – 1 to 3yrs)

• Large soft-play structure enabling a variety of physical and imaginative play opportunities.
• Role-Play Corner – comprising various items of furniture and equipment to allow for a variety of imaginative play including shop-keeping or playing house, busy builders or hospital play.
• Activity table - for the session’s main activity e.g. play dough, junk modelling, painting, etc
• Floor space – a variety of play opportunities rotated depending on the topic and session plan e.g. car mat, train set, music and movement, construction, puzzles, circle time activities etc

 Baby Room (Baby base – Under 1yr)

• Soft mats, Mirrors and grab bars. Danglies!
• Variety of toys to stimulate all of the senses – touchy-feely, noisy toys, smelly things, flashy lights!
• Treasure baskets with exploratory items on theme e.g. all natural materials, all soft things, all smooth things,etc
• Construction toys, sorting, rolling etc

IT / Library area

• Computer, keyboard and mouse with a variety of exciting software
• Library space with a variety of books to self-select
• Comfy area to sit and role-play, read, listen to tapes etc
• Stereo and CD’s/cassettes

Back Room (Pre-school base – 3 to 5yrs)

• Child-accessible cupboards containing a variety of toys and equipment for the Foundation Stage covering the 6 learning areas of the Foundation Stage Curriculum
• Tables designated for Literacy & Numeracy, Knowledge & Understanding of the World, and Creative Play. Activities are provided for children to self-select and learn through experimentation although we provide adult guidance and suggestions of play opportunities for the children to build on.
• Children's sink for independent hand washing 

Outdoors

• Messy Area for Sand and Water Play
• Safe play space for enjoying running around, riding bikes, trikes and scooters, playing games e.g. with the parachute, chalkingonto the floor e.g. pictures, hopscotch, road layout
• Rockery for digging and growing opportunities 
• Grass area for more quiet play and sitting (Fremington only at present)

Toilets

• Childrens toilets and low sinks
• Baby changing area
• Disabled toilet (Fremington only at present)
• Laundry facilities (Fremington only at present)

If you want to know more about Little Fishes, or would like to arrange a visit, please do email fun4kids@littlefishes.net