Welcome!
Pink Hippo is fully accessible with a gently sloping pathway leading to the entrance.
There is a covered area to leave a pushchair for your convenience.
Entrance Lobby
This is where your child can store their lunch box then change into their slippers, before coming into the setting.
If you wish to discuss anything with us there is a dedicated meeting room adjoining the lobby where we can chat privately.
Each child has a contact bag, where their makes and creations from their daily activities are stored ready to take home, please check it regularly!
Once you have your slippers on, take your coat and shoes then press the doorbell. The door has a secure magnetic lock which can only be opened by authorised staff.
Outside Lobby
This is where your child can leave their coat and shoes ready to take advantage of our free flow philosophy (they can go outside and play whenever they choose). To aid their independence they have access to an 'outside' toilet in this area so they can develop their self help skills.
Now we're ready to play!
Pre-school area
This area is for our over 2's, we have a messy play area with child height sinks, construction and small world tables and trays, graphics trolley, home corner, story corner, IT area including computer and listening station, exploration and investigation resources, areas to display their work and models and a range of games, puzzles and table top toys. All our resources are accessible and stored in clear tubs, labeled with the contents.
Off this room is the kitchen, 4 childrens toilet cubicles and sinks - all child friendly sizes - and the nappy changing area incorporating an accessible WC with shower room. We have also got . . . . . .
Off this room is the kitchen, 4 childrens toilet cubicles and sinks - all child friendly sizes - and the nappy changing area incorporating an accessible WC with shower room. We have also got . . . . . .
Sensory Room
This fabulous room is a space dedicated to allow children to fully explore all their senses. In here we have large equipment such as a room height bubble tube, 2 metre fibre optics on the floor, comfortable soft furnishings with an array of textures. We also use smaller resources such as an aromatherapy diffuser, glow spaghetti and a UV lamp with UV sensitive accessories. We promote relaxation by using music and specially designed guided meditation CD's for children. There is a maximum of three children using this room at any one time, always accompanied by a member of staff who is first aid trained.
Nursery Room
This area is specifically designed for babies and toddlers. Resources include a Community Playthings Baby Gym, comfortable sofa for feeding babies, story and snuggle den covered by our canopy which is themed to meet current interest and events. Children enjoy exploring the mirror mat and safety mirror with rail to encourage babies to pull themselves up safely. We have a soft touch table, which has cushioned edges to prevent injury and non topple chairs, also low level feeding chairs to promote social interaction with their peers. Adjoing the nursery there is a dedicated sleep room with cots and rest beds available depending on the child's age and stage of development. There is a viewing panel between these rooms as can be seen on our photo. We also use a video monitor to check on sleeping children.
Outside - Covered Play and Garden
Our covered outside play area allows the children to get outside in the fresh air, regardless of the weather. A huge range of resourses which reflect our indoor provision are kept in our external store and are rotated on a regular basis. The grassed area has two tunnels running through our "tellytubby" hill, a bug hotel, perspex easel for children to express themselves with paint, hand crafted wooden story throne with sturdy leaf shaped stools, wooden music frame and much more! Behind the building we have a greenhouse and growing area.
Thanks for 'virtually' looking around our lovely setting and we hope you will soon choose to come and see us for real!