Little Hens of Hurstbourne Childcare

Little Hens of Hurstbourne is located in the beautiful village of Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hampshire which is ideally situated on the main A343 between Andover and Newbury.  We provide childcare on domestic premises and registered with Ofsted in 2020. Prior to this, we have provided childminding services since 2012.  Our home from home setting is well set up for children in our care and there is ample space both inside and out for playing, learning and developing.  We have a wide range of toys and activities available to the children, including baby toys, story sacks, train and farm sets, dolls and prams, books, musical instruments, sensory play, treasure baskets, Lego and construction toys, puzzles, arts and crafts, painting, baking, puppets, swings, slides, trampoline, bikes and trikes, water/sand play and outdoor mud kitchen.  We also have woods behind our rural garden, were we offer Forest School sessions, providing lots of adventurous play for older children, in addition to our safe garden pond and bug hotel. The children are encouraged to be involved in planting, nurturing and harvesting our home grown vegetables.

 

We strive to ensure that all children feel welcome and cared for in a way that we would wish for our own children.  We endeavour to make sure that each and every child enjoys their time in our care and thrives as a result. Our ultimate aim is to develop the children’s confidence, perseverance, and resilience and to nurture their natural desire to explore, experiment and learn, in readiness for school when the time comes through play and fun opportunities.  To enable children to be challenged and to be curious, enthusiastic and to grow within our setting we are continually developing and enhancing the environment, resources and services provided.  Encouraging parental involvement is essential in delivering the best care to their children and new ideas are always welcome.

 

Children engage in purposeful play activities that are adult-led and/or children initiated.  We pride ourselves on observing their interests and subsequently providing activities that tap into these interests resulting in enhanced learning.  How activities are presented may vary depending on each child’s learning styles and needs, and we very much take this into consideration when planning.

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Each week varies as different activities and outings are offered. We enjoy trips to soft play centres, gym club, Jiggy Wrigglers music and movement sessions, the local library, toddler groups including forest school, parks in the local area and Finkley Down Farm.  Being in the country we have farms, woodland, footpaths and tracks on our doorstep, and watching the combine harvester is usually a big hit with the children too!  Other trips out include: the beach, aquarium, museums, going out on trains, Butterfly World, Middle Wallop Air Museum, restaurants to celebrate festivals and birthdays, Thatcham nature reserve, Charlton Lakes, Chilbolton Common, Hawk Conservancy, and Hilliers Gardens.

 

We are fortunate to work with a local dance teacher where the children participate in weekly movement and exercise sessions that are particularly focussed on developing the skills needed for writing.

 

So what do we offer…?

 

Childcare is available Monday through to Friday from 7.30am until 6.00pm all year round.  Individual needs are accommodated so please feel free to discuss this with us. Although there is a usual session rate, choosing the right care for your child is paramount so we can discuss fees on an individual basis. As an Early Years Education (EYE) provider we can offer grant funded places (up to 30 hours per week) to eligible 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds.  This is offered during term time only.  We are also registered to accept a number of childcare vouchers and tax free childcare.  We were also thrilled to receive a stunning, outstanding report from Ofsted in February 2017 as a childminding setting.

 

Healthy, homemade meals are provide and included in the fee, but providing your own meals is also acceptable if preferred. A hot supper is provided to children staying after 5.15pm.  Drinks are available throughout the day.  Fully appreciating that mornings can be a bit of a rush, we are more than willing to prepare fresh formula milk and have the facilities to sterilise bottles.  We can also prepare purees and food for weaning if this is helpful to you.

 

We work in partnership with parents particularly when deciding on the best settling in arrangements for their child and when establishing a routine here at the setting.  We feel it is essential that each child has a quiet space for sleeping, so each child has their own travel cot and room for sleeping.

 

School drop off/pick up at two local primary schools and the local pre-school is available.

 

If you would like to know and see more, please contact us to arrange a visit.  Nothing compares to actually getting the feel of a childcare setting.

 

If you have any further questions that we have not provided please do get in contact.