Julia Honeywell, Director of Children’s Services at the YMCA Brunel Group, explains what makes the nursery there so special
Choosing a nursery for your child is not an easy task. Alongside the logistics of cost and the number of hours required, there is the simple fact that you want to feel confident that your little one is in good hands. After all, the right nursery can set a child up for life. Luckily, the YMCA Bath City Centre Nursery has everything you could want in a nursery. You can rest assured that your child will be happy and safe in an exceptional educational environment.
The YMCA currently has nine nurseries and pre-schools in Bath and Wiltshire, all of which are Ofsted registered. Nestled within the Bath YMCA building, the YMCA Bath City Centre nursery is the perfect choice for parents who work in the city. Aside from the convenient location, there are several other factors which this make YMCA nursery so special. We can’t wait to welcome you!
An inclusive, personalised approach
At the YMCA Bath City Centre Nursery, inclusivity is at the heart of all we do. There are no barriers at our nursery; absolutely everyone is welcome. As the Director of Children’s Services and someone who has been with the YMCA for 17 years, I value the commitment we make to be there for everybody. Every child is an individual to us. When you choose our nursery, you are choosing a team who will want to get to know you and your children, in order to best serve your needs.
We are more than willing to go the extra mile to ensure that our diverse range of children and families from many different communities feel safe, supported and included. For us, that’s a non-negotiable. Our nursery sits both literally and metaphorically at the heart of the community. And that’s a lovely place to be.
An exceptional staff team
We don’t want to toot our own horn, but we think our staff are just the best. Many of them have worked with us for several years and children and families know that they can rely on us. Parents have complimented our staff on their professionalism, friendliness and compassion for the children. That’s just the way we think it should be!
For all of our staff, this is more than just a job. It’s a privilege to work with the children under our care and, because we are so invested in knowing each and every child, we build a special relationship with them. Lots of our kids make us laugh every day – and it’s a pleasure to be able to see their development first-hand.
Child-centred learning
At YMCA Bath City Centre Nursery, we know that school shouldn’t be a chore. It should be a place of fun and discovery, which children can’t wait to attend every day. A great nursery experience is the perfect way to get your child excited about the schooling that lies ahead. That’s why we use an in-the-moment lesson planning policy. We see what sparks an interest in your child and we go from there.
In the past, we’ve offered PE inter-sport classes and even a forest school experience, alongside countless other activities. It starts with the child. We begin with whatever gets them excited and then we work as a team to extend their learning. Personally, we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Conveniently located facilities
Our nursery building is based in the YMCA centre, meaning we can take advantage of many of the facilities there, such as the dance studio. We also have a playroom full of fabulous toys and a cosy room where children can have some downtime. The clue might be in our name, but we are based right in beautiful Bath’s city centre.
In Scandinavia, a common belief is that there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes. We have made this our motto and we make it our mission to get children outside in our nursery garden as often as possible. Our children love to see the plants growing and to learn how to take care of living things.
Absolute transparency
Childcare can be expensive. Let’s not pretend it isn’t. But what we can promise you is absolute transparency about costs. There are no top-ups or add-ons which are going to cause a surprise later. We want to be as clear as possible with our families. That’s part of our commitment that everybody matters to us.
We also don’t place any restrictions on sessions and we have Early Years funding. It is our hope that this means that the YMCA Bath City Centre Nursery can be affordable and accessible for all.
Any questions?
If you have further questions about the services we offer, please do not hesitate to get in touch or see our Frequently Asked Questions page. It is so important to us that our families understand the way that we work.
We are currently taking enquiries for places for September here. With any luck, we will be welcoming your child very soon. Whether a Daisy (aged 18 months to 3 years) or a Sunflower (aged 3-5 years), we promise that your child will love their time with us. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and it is our absolute pleasure to be a part of that village.