Our first priority is the safety and happiness of the children in our care.
Our second priority is the peace of mind of parents and carers.
Our next priorities are learning and having fun!

Strawberry Hill Nursery.

I started running Joyland Nursery in 1986, it was a small, term time only, childcare nursery in dedicated rooms in my own house with my youngest son being the first child on roll. It wasn’t long before I realised that there was the need for a child care nursery provision for younger children open throughout the year and not just during the school terms. I established Strawberry Hill Nursery in 1990.

Luckily enough a property became available in Grantham Road. A disused builders’ yard which once was a coach house, part of the Stanmer Estate. The potential of this property was immediately obvious. There was large outside area and a number of separate buildings in a private and secure environment. It was soon, after much hard work, converted into Strawberry Hill Nursery!

Since the beginning of my time setting up Strawberry Hill Nursery there have been many changes in nursery provision across the country. It was a big advantage to me that I started out at the beginning of these developments after spending time as an early years teacher and Ofsted Inspector. Last year I was joined in the ‘nursery world’ by my husband, a recently early-retired local headteacher. Lynn (owner)

Group Organisation.

The Babies. A maximum of eight babies will be cared for in the Baby rooms by four nursery nurses. This is a minimum ratio of 1 adult to 2 babies.

The next group is the Tiddlers. Babies become Tiddlers once they become more independent and are more mobile, usually at about 18 months old. They will be in a group of up to twelve under 2 year olds. They will have a minimum of four nursery nurses to care for them. Their main base is the Cosy room

Shortly after their 2nd birthday they will join our Tumblers a staff to child ratio of 1:4. They are based in the Activity room.

Soon after their 3rd birthday they join the Toppers (ratio 1:8) and a more organised day, gently preparing them for school. The Toppers are based in the Big Toy room.

There is a certain amount of flexibility between these groups and children of different ages spend time together in the spacious outside area.

Before children move from group to group discussions are held with parents / carers. Familiarisation sessions are organised to make sure the ‘move up’ is the correct decision.