Empowering Children to Reach Their Full Potential
At Orchard Lea Nursery & Preschool, we are passionate about providing a nurturing environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and a sense of belonging for every child. We believe that every child is unique and deserves an education that caters to their individual needs, personality, and interests. Our approach to learning and teaching is centered around providing a stimulating and engaging environment that promotes intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development.
Our Ethos
We are a small, family-run business with two nurseries and preschools in the Bristol area, one located in Kingswood and the other in Keynsham. Our settings are carefully designed to provide education, care, and continuity in a bright, warm, and friendly environment. Our teams work closely together, sharing the same ethos, practices, and management to ensure that every child receives the best possible start in life.
Inclusive Environment
At Orchard Lea, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment that celebrates the unique cultural backgrounds and faiths of our families. We support families whose first language is not English by providing translation services, visual aids, and community resources to ensure that everyone feels welcome and included. Our experienced staff are trained to support children with additional needs, and we work closely with local children's centers and community groups to provide the best possible support for our families.
Curriculum and Education
Our curriculum is centered around the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework and Practice Guidance, which sets the standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to five. Our EYFS curriculum focuses on seven areas of learning and development, including Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social, and Emotional Development. We also track children's progress using the Bristol Early Years Emotional Wellbeing characteristic strand, which highlights the importance of emotional literacy, connection, and positive self-esteem.
Our Aims
Our aims at Orchard Lea are centered around promoting all-round development, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social, in a safe and nurturing environment. We strive to provide a unique program for each child, based on their individual stage of development, with careful observations and tailor-made activities. Our aims include:
- Providing a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment that welcomes and supports all children and their families
- Promoting social and intellectual development through our broad and balanced Nursery curriculum
- Providing opportunities for children to gain confidence in their own abilities and become independent and motivated learners
- Valuing and supporting staff and students, ensuring that individual skills and knowledge are appropriate and valid
- Establishing and maintaining close links between our families, nursery, and the community, including the local Children's center
- Working in partnership with parents, carers, families, outside agencies, specialist services, and government bodies
Assessments and Progress Tracking
At Orchard Lea, we use an online application to monitor and record children's routine and development at nursery. This app keeps a detailed record of a child's learning, including observations made at nursery, with photographs, pictures, mark-making, and creations from them. Parents and carers can access the app and contribute to the information recorded, supporting two-way communication between nursery and home.
Our Approach
At Orchard Lea Nursery & Preschool, we believe that every child deserves an education that caters to their individual needs, personality, and interests. Our approach to learning and teaching is centered around providing a stimulating and engaging environment that promotes intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development. We strive to create a nurturing environment that fosters creativity, curiosity, and a sense of belonging for every child.
Excellent Service with a Few Exceptions
Orchard Lea Nursery has received widespread praise from satisfied parents, with numerous 5-star reviews highlighting the excellent care and service provided by the staff. Many parents have commended the nursery for helping their children grow and learn, with some even crediting the staff with fostering lifelong friendships. The staff's dedication and commitment to their roles are particularly noteworthy, with several reviewers mentioning that many staff members have stayed on for extended periods, building strong relationships with the children and families.
Confidence and Support
The nursery's ability to instill confidence in its young students is another common theme, with parents praising the way the staff encourage children to try new things and develop their skills. The nursery's approach to preparing children for school is also highly praised, with many parents feeling reassured that their child is well-prepared for the next stage of their educational journey.
A Few Red Flags
However, not all reviews have been positive. One reviewer, Elle, has shared a very negative experience with the nursery's administrative staff, describing them as "vile" and accusing them of racial bias and poor data protection practices. The review suggests that the staff members, Nathan and Hayley, have a history of making inaccurate judgments about families based on limited information and then using this information to justify poor treatment.
Mixed Messages
It's worth noting that none of the other reviewers have mentioned any similar issues with the administrative staff, and the nursery itself is described as "fine" by Elle. However, the negative review does highlight the importance of rigorous staff training and effective data management processes, particularly in an environment where confidentiality and safeguarding are paramount.
