Business Details
28 Years
experience
Trusted Child Care Services in Takeley
Saplings Nursery has been providing quality childcare services since 1998, offering a homely and stimulating environment for children aged 0-5 years. Our team of experienced, enthusiastic staff holds qualifications in Early Years education, First Aid, and Food Hygiene, ensuring the highest standards of care and education. We maintain an open partnership with parents, actively involving them in their child's development through regular communication and collaborative assessments. Our facilities include dedicated spaces for different age groups, with a strong emphasis on outdoor play and risk-taking to foster confidence and physical development. Rated 'Good' by Ofsted in 2022 and previously holding an 'Outstanding' rating for over 12 years, we combine proven expertise with innovative approaches to early years education.We accept childcare vouchers and government funding, offering flexible, affordable options for local families in Takeley and surrounding areas. Our commitment to inclusivity is demonstrated through tailored support for children with special needs, including Makaton training for staff. The nursery's relocation to a semi-rural location in 2019 has enhanced our outdoor learning opportunities, with extensive gardens for children to explore. We maintain transparent communication with parents about their child's progress and provide settling-in sessions to ensure smooth transitions. With over two decades of experience in early years care, we continue to build on our reputation as a trusted local nursery with a strong word-of-mouth recommendation network.
Services
Baby Care
Toddler Programs
Preschool Education
Special Needs Support
Outdoor Learning
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of combined childcare experience since 1998
- Our staff hold Level 3 Early Years qualifications and First Aid certifications
- We maintain an 'Outstanding' Ofsted history for over 12 years
- We offer flexible childcare options with government funding acceptance
- Our outdoor play ethos promotes natural risk-taking and confidence building
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Safe nurturing environment
Excellent preschool teaching
Friendly approachable staff
Outdoor play ethos
Smooth settling-in process
Services
Baby Care
Our dedicated Piglets and Eeyores rooms provide specialized care for babies aged 0-2 years. Each child is assigned a key carer with Level 3 Early Years qualifications who develops personalized care plans and facilitates gentle integration into the nursery environment. The program focuses on building trust, developing motor skills, and establishing routines while maintaining close parent communication through daily updates and developmental tracking.
Toddler Programs
Tiggers room offers structured learning through play for children aged 2-3 years. Our qualified staff implement developmentally appropriate activities across four dedicated play areas, with particular emphasis on the 2.5-year development check. The curriculum balances structured learning with free exploration, supporting social skills development and transition readiness to preschool while maintaining strong home-nursery communication channels.
Preschool Education
Chapter House provides comprehensive preschool education for children aged 3-5 years. Our key carer system ensures consistent support through smaller group settings, with curriculum focus on school readiness skills including communication development, social interaction, and foundational academic concepts. Daily activities integrate physical development with cognitive learning through both indoor and outdoor play experiences tailored to individual interests.
Special Needs Support
We offer specialized support for children with additional needs, including Makaton-trained staff and individualized development plans. Our inclusive approach ensures all children participate fully in nursery activities, with tailored resources and staff training to accommodate specific requirements while maintaining our core educational philosophy for every child's unique development.
Outdoor Learning
Our extensive gardens facilitate daily outdoor learning experiences that promote physical development and environmental awareness. Activities include tree climbing, large-scale painting, and physical coordination exercises designed to build confidence and motor skills. The semi-rural setting supports our educational philosophy that outdoor play is fundamental to childhood development and school readiness.
People
Linda Davies
Owner
With over 25 years in childcare, Linda leads Saplings Nursery's strategic direction. She oversees policy development, health & safety compliance, and maintains our outdoor play philosophy. Her leadership has sustained high Ofsted ratings since 1998.
Anna Davies
Co-Owner
Anna manages dietary requirements and nutrition programs. As Designated Safeguarding Lead and First Aider, she ensures food safety compliance and staff training. Her expertise contributes to our inclusive approach and special needs support programs.
Cheryl Rae
Administrator
Cheryl handles nursery administration and HR management. She serves as primary contact for general enquiries and policy implementation, ensuring smooth operational support for both staff and parents across all age-group programs.
Gemma Clarke
Under 2's Coordinator
Gemma leads curriculum development for babies and mentors staff in infant care. With specialist knowledge in early attachment theory, she ensures our youngest children receive age-appropriate stimulation and personalized developmental support within our nurturing environment.
Kayleigh Coleman
Under 2-3's Team Leader
Kayleigh oversees curriculum implementation for toddlers and provides staff mentoring. She specializes in transition programs between baby and preschool rooms, ensuring continuity in care approaches and developmental progression for children aged 2-3 years.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide care for children from 3 months to 5 years, with dedicated programs for babies (0-2), toddlers (2-3), and preschoolers (3-5).
Are you Ofsted registered?
Yes, we are Ofsted registered (Number 2563298) and were rated 'Good' in our September 2022 inspection, maintaining high standards since 1998.
Do you accept government funding?
We accept 15 and 30 hour government funding schemes alongside childcare vouchers, making quality childcare accessible and affordable for local families.
How do you support children with special needs?
We provide inclusive care with Makaton-trained staff, individualized development plans, and specialized resources to support children with additional needs in all activities.
What is your outdoor play policy?
We prioritize outdoor learning with daily access to extensive gardens, promoting physical development through activities like tree climbing and risk-taking in our semi-rural setting.
How do you communicate with parents?
We maintain regular communication through daily updates, development reports, parent meetings, and flexible settling-in sessions to ensure transparency and partnership in childcare.
