Our Nursery

Southover Nursery is renowned for its warmth, care and expertise.  We are characterised by our happy, relaxed and nurturing ethos and have a reputation for being a lovely place for children to be.  Our aim is to create an atmosphere in which all children feel secure and confident, and to provide a stimulating environment that enables them to thrive.

We recognise that all children are unique and welcome children of all cultures and backgrounds, as well as those with various specific needs. We continually use our knowledge of individual children’s interests, needs and stages of development to provide balanced and varied experiences that enable them to develop at their own pace. We place great emphasis on the need for praise and encouragement, with the aim of developing children’s self-esteem and confidence.

We encourage children to be considerate and kind towards each other and to develop good manners. We want our children to feel secure and confident, and have a strong sense of self-worth. Fundamental to this is a close relationship between home and nursery. We believe working in partnership with parents/carers is essential as together, we can ensure children’s needs are met and that they really can achieve their true potential.

We were inspected by Ofsted in July 2017 and were judged to be outstanding in all four areas – 1. effectiveness of the leadership and management, 2. quality of teaching, learning and assessment, 3. personal development, behaviour and welfare and 4. outcomes for children. VIEW OFSTED REPORT

OUR STAFF

We have a dedicated staff team of six, one of whom is a qualified teacher, one of whom is studying for her level 5 qualification, three of whom have their level 3 childcare qualification and one of whom is studying for her level 3 childcare qualification. We also have a teacher, a level 3 qualified Montessori trained nursery practitioner, a level 3 qualified nursery practitioner and an experienced nursery assistant on our bank team. Every member of staff has a certificate in paediatric first aid. We are registered with OFSTED and are also registered to provide EYEE (Early Years Education Entitlement) funding.

Our staff team is highly qualified, enthusiastic and dedicated. We are professional in our approach and have high expectations of ourselves. The majority of our staff are mothers.

We believe our maturity and experience plays a fundamental part in the creation of the happy, welcoming and professional atmosphere that Southover is renowned for.

SARA HALL
Manager & proprietor
Nursery teacher; SENCO; paediatric first aid; 1st class MA (honours); PGCE (primary) with distinction; designated safeguarding lead. All three of Sara's children attended Southover.

SOPHIE CRAWFORD
Deputy manager & nursery practitioner
Level 3 childcare qualification; currently studying for her level 5 qualification; paediatric first aid; GCSEs, AS & A levels; attachment training; speech & language training; sensory processing training; designated safeguarding lead.

ANGELA RAMSAUER
Nursery practitioner
Level 3 childcare qualification; paediatric first aid; speech & language training; sensory processing training; child protection training; Angela's daughter attended Southover.

CHARLOTTE HASAN
SENCO & nursery practitioner
Level 3 childcare qualification; studying for level 3 SENCO award; GCSEs & A levels; paediatric first aid; speech & language training; child protection training; both of Charlie's children attended Southover.

CLARE MOORE
Nursery practitioner
Level 3 childcare qualification; GCSEs & A levels; paediatric first aid; sensory processing training; child protection training; Clare's daughter attended Southover.

HELEN KOWALSKI
Nursery practitioner (training)
Studying for her level 3 childcare qualification; GCSEs & A levels; BA(hons) degree; yoga teaching qualification; mindfulness qualification; paediatric first aid; child protection training; Helen's son attended Southover.

SHELLEY MOTLEY
Bank staff - nursery practitioner
Level 3 childcare qualification; GCSEs; paediatric first aid; EYFS training; child protection training; all three of Shelley's children have attended Southover.

ALISON WASHINGTON
Bank staff - nursery teacher
Paediatric first aid; qualified teacher (Bachelor of Education).

LIZZIE GILBERT
Bank staff - nursery practitioner
Qualified Nursery Nurse; Certificate in the Montessori method (merit); Diploma in Practitioner Counselling; sensory processing & sand play training; paediatric first aid.

BABS RUSSELL
Bank staff - nursery assistant
Paediatric first aid; experienced in early years settings & special educational needs; speech and language training.