History and aims
ACE Day Nursery is a registered charity and, like its sister organisation ACE Nursery School, is run as a parent co–operative on a not-for-profit basis. It provides high quality childcare in a secure and nurturing environment where children can play, make friends, gain confidence and develop at their own pace. The day nursery opened in May 2004 and welcomes up to 17 children aged 1 to 3 years, with a staff/child ratio of 1:3 for the under-twos and 1:4 for two to three year-olds. The nursery is run by an experienced manager and an enthusiastic team of qualified nursery staff. Each child is allocated a key worker to ensure the best possible communication between parents and staff in this formative period of your child’s life.

The day nursery maintains close links with ACE Nursery School, which was founded in 1966 by the Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) for children aged 2 ½ to 5 years. If you would like to visit the day nursery to see what the children do there, please call Sarah Piotrowski on 01223-366355.

Parents’ co–operative
Because ACE is a co–operative, the well-being of the children and the staff is dependent on real involvement from parents. All parents make a practical contribution to the running of the nursery – whether shopping for supplies, mending equipment, helping in the activities of the nursery, organising social events for children and parents, or providing individual expertise. At the day nursery this amounts to a commitment of one hour each month, the alternative being to pay an additional fee.

Activities
The nursery provides a wide range of activities to develop the social, intellectual and physical skills of each individual child. Creative and constructive play, art activities, songs, stories and finger rhymes are a regular part of nursery life. There is a secure garden for outdoor play on fine days, with appropriate toys and a sandpit. In the summer, many indoor activities are moved outside.

Meals
Milk or water and an appropriate snack are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon. A hot vegetarian meal is served at lunchtime and a light meal is provided at teatime.

Hours of opening

The nursery offers both full and part-time places, and it is also possible to arrange various combinations of sessions. The nursery does everything possible to meet the needs of children and parents, but there is a minimum attendance of two sessions per week.

Holiday Dates 2009–2010
ACE Day Nursery is closed for approximately 4 weeks each year, plus bank holidays.

Admissions
Each child is expected to attend for at least three months, and a month’s written notice is required before he or she leaves. If such notice is not given, and the nursery is unable to fill the vacancy, parents will be liable for a further month’s fees.

Because of strong demand for places, parents are advised to apply well in advance, although they will not be asked for a final commitment until shortly before admission.

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