Lodge Trinity Lodge
Trinity Lodge is an integral part of Trinity School providing Nursery Education and Day Care.We achieved OFSTED Registration in September 2004 and are currently registered for 79 children under the age of 8. Maximum of 49 under 3. Maximum of 21 under 2.
We were inspected by OFSTED in November 2005. This was an integrated inspection including Full Day Care and Out of School Care
please read report at “http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem.7c7b38b14d870c7bb1890a01637046a0/?event=getReport&urn=
EY287969&inspectionNumber=155663&providerCategoryID=2&fileName=\\ey\\CB\\INT_EY287969_17062006.xml”
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Following hard on the heels of the OFSTED inspection last November Trinity Lodge has received the highest accolade from the National Day Nurseries Association when they awarded the Lodge the highest possible grade, Level 3, after their inspection in October of this year.The Award 'Quality Counts' is issued by The National Day Nurseries Association(NDNA) and it is an Investors in Children endorsed Accreditation scheme. 'Quality Counts' is the leading quality assurance scheme specifically designed for day nurseries.
The kite-mark acts as an indicator to parents of independent assessment of quality, over and above the National Standards from Ofsted. The 'Quality Counts' scheme develops, encourages and maintains high standards in early education and care. Trinity Lodge has passed assessment of fifteen modules by an independent panel in order to receive the kite-mark.Nursery Manager Patricia Ashby comments: “We are delighted to have achieved 'Quality Counts'. We always strive for the highest quality of care at Trinity Lodge and believe that the 'Quality Counts' kite-mark will signify our commitment to this cause. We achieved Outstanding in all areas in our last Ofsted inspection in November 2005 and 'Quality Counts' has enhanced our provision even more. The accreditation process has involved the whole nursery staff team under the guidance of Debbie Crookdake who was our NDNA mentor”.
Trinity Lodge is an integral part of Trinity School and to quote from the inspection report: “experiences the children have of visits to the adjoining school site are valuable, particularly given the size of the campus and the wide range of facilities. There is a quiet hum of involvement, fun and inquisitiveness throughout the Nursery. Trinity Lodge is a wonderful nursery and it was a pleasure to undertake the Quality Counts assessment. Careful planning of a good range of appropriate and interesting activities, a staff commitment to putting the needs of children first and strong policy and procedures all help to make Trinity Lodge a caring, lively and fun place for children”.Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA adds “NDNA is at the forefront of promoting quality in day nurseries. A great amount of energy and commitment is needed to fulfil the criteria set by the scheme’s assessment and Trinity Lodge should be extremely proud of their new status as one of the country’s 'Quality Counts' accredited nurseries”. For more information contact Patricia Ashby on 01626 775716.
We believe in the individual and have a flexible approach in order to cater for each child's needs and circumstances. Within our Christian, caring, secure and happy environment exists an atmosphere where each child can grow, gain confidence and develop his or her personality and flourish. For babies and very young children it is essential that Trinity Lodge is as close as possible to the very best home conditions, so that transition from home to Day Care is as smooth as possible.
Routine and familiar staffing help build a happy and secure environment. A child needs opportunities to develop at his or her own pace, to explore the delights of being a child and to discover that learning is fun and fascinating.
From the age of 3 months to 5 years children at Trinity Lodge can enjoy the "home from home" atmosphere of care.
Parents can enjoy the security of knowing their children will be taken to and collected from the Trinity Preparatory Department each day by Trinity Lodge staff. Opportunities are available for children to attend all existing school clubs, after which they will be safely returned to Trinity Lodge.
Within Trinity Lodge are quiet areas for children to complete homework, with the benefit of computer access and friendly advice from trained staff.
Prospective parents are most welcome to arrange a visit, by either contacting the School Secretary, Mrs Jinx Mattinson 01626 774138 or the Trinity Lodge Manager, Mrs Elizabeth Saunders 01626 775716.
Trinity Nursery began in January 1993 and was housed in a small room within the Senior Department. Under the expert care of Liz Quinnel, our founder, nursery numbers within a few years flourished from eight 3 – 4 year olds in the early days, to over forty. Staffing was often conducted on a voluntary basis. The Nursery was relocated several times in various corners of the school and following the untimely passing away of Liz Quinnel, it was deemed expedient in April 2001 for the School to purchase a former retirement home situated on the edge of the school grounds. Liz Saunders is now Nursery Manager working full time, term time only. Liz is responsible for the curriculum and management for Nursery 2 and Nursery 3.
After much discussion, it was decided that as well as offering extended day care, holiday care was necessary and the age of acceptance was lowered to 2 years, starting in April 2001. Further developments were to take place in September 2001, when babies ranging from 3 months to 2 years were to be accepted for full time day care.
It was then decided that Nursery 1 (baby unit) needed an experienced person to oversee operations, and the building as a whole needed a Manager to safeguard general welfare and safety, to be supernumerary to the needs of the Nursery. Patricia Ashby, Lodge Manager, was recruited. The initial team then set about the process of planning within the building and allocating space. The main changes concerned enclosing bathrooms to avoid these opening onto classrooms. We invited our District Co-Coordinator (formerly known as Partnership Development Worker) who at that time was Val Smith, for advice and she agreed that, logically, the babies should be housed upstairs. We were fortunate that the house already had full fire safety installations and fire escapes. The Council came to advise and recommended a change to the parking area and also insisted on a direct path linking us to school and avoiding the road.
Next, we concentrated on staff recruitment. We drew up job descriptions and advertised in the local papers and through the Internet. We employed 3 part time, fully qualified staff.
Emma Palmer for Nursery 1, fully qualified and with several years of committed service to babies was employed. Emma was full time and to work all year round. Nursery 1 began in September 2001 with five babies. Emma is now Nursery 1 Supervisor.
Nursery 2 needed a full time, year round, staff member so Helen Page was appointed in April 2002. Helen became Nursery 2 supervisor in November 2002, when it was decided to extend Nursery 2 by giving the youngest group of 2 year olds a facility of their own. This group is known as the Stars. The oldest Nursery 2 group are downstairs and are known as the Rainbows. This arrangement is flexible, as the two groups are sometimes combined in the afternoons.
In July 2004 Claire Davies was recruited as Assistant Lodge Manager full time all year round, overseeing the Nursery during holidays. Claire has had managerial experience in several settings and is trained to Level 4.
In the Spring of 2006, Nikki Piggott became Birth to Three Co-ordinator and Lauren Rigby became Transition Co-ordinator. Both of these responsibilities were initiated to ensure greater continuity throughout Nursery. Chrissie Wray-Chance took over the Role of SENCO in 2004 and became Playleader for the holiday periods in 2006.
When the Nursery first moved to Trinity Lodge, meals were transported from the main school kitchen every day.
It was decided to employ our own Nursery Cook who would cater specifically for the very young, taking into account any specific dietary needs.
Trinity School’s Catering Manager, assisted in the recruitment of our cook, who took up her post in November 2001. Fresh vegetables and meat are now delivered directly to the Lodge every week. Meals are nutritious and balanced. Current menus are displayed for general information. Numbers of children staying for lunch have more than doubled, so in November 2005 our assistant cook was recruited. We offer a choice, wherever possible, and are mindful of allergies and strong dislikes. (Lists of allergy sufferers and their allergies are kept in the Lodge Office, kitchen and each Nursery unit). We also recruited two cleaners to work 2 hours each week day.
In October 2002, a part time administrator / assistant for Nursery staff during busy times such as lunch times was appointed. All administration, including invoices to parents, is now centralised within the Lodge as before most of this had been conducted in the main School Office.
Recruitment policies continue to attract motivated practitioners. We maintain correct ratios by drawing on a pool of suitable supply staff and committed, carefully monitored students in order to supplement key staffing levels.
We benefit greatly from the SureStart initiative and enjoy weekly visits from Sharon Mackay, Senior Project Health Worker. We also have termly visits from SureStart’s Portage worker and weekly visits from the Nursery Plus Advisory Teacher.
The playground safety surface was completed on May 22 nd, 2004. We now have a “Little Tykes eight-in-one” playground. This is a major achievement for the Nursery and is the result of extensive fund raising for over 2 years. We have combined fund raising for our own resources with supporting worthy charities such as Sponsored toddles for Barnadoes, Children with Leukaemia, Red Nose Day, Comic Relief, raffles for CLIC . As a nursery we have sponsored a child suffering from SMA, who was due to join us here at the Lodge, but it was finally decided after much consultation with his parents and carers, that he needed a more accessible site.
We have involved parents in many of our initiatives such as fund raising days, special theme days, summer garden parties with all the fun of the fair, plus cream teas. All these events involved every member of the nursery team and all the children from the youngest baby upwards.
Other developments include new furniture for the dining room. The floor covering was changed from carpet to laminate covering in April 2004, when in time with our healthy food choices initiatives we acquired the new milk fridge.
The toilet and nappy changing facilities in Nursery 2 have been upgraded. Over the Christmas holidays of 2004 the next project was carried out, re-designing the main kitchen and also stream lining Nursery One’s preparation and feeding room.
In 2005 the staff room was moved up to the attic making way for the Nursery’s library which is also used as a dining facility for Stars and has a new floor surface.
Trinity Lodge was officially opened in the Autumn Term 2001. At Trinity Lodge, day care is available from 8.00am until 6.00pm for 50 weeks of the year for children from 3 months to 5 years of age. Registers are maintained on a sessional basis and are kept within each of the Nursery units. A record is also kept of who collects each child.
We started the Quality Counts Accreditation scheme in July 2004, with staff working closely as a Team on such new initiatives as a Key Worker system and ongoing assessment of policies and routines.
We continue to operate as an integral part of Trinity School adhering to the following Mission Statement:-
Trinity School seeks to draw out the best in every facet of each individual’s nature, academic and intellectual, social, emotional and physical, moral, psychological and spiritual. The School aims to build confidence by developing personal qualities that help form trusting and stable relationships and encourage sound moral judgements to be made. The School’s joint Roman Catholic and Anglican foundation affirms the Christian principles that should permeate all aspects of School life.
Doorbell entrance to the Lodge ensures security within, as only Key Staff control entry. We encourage parents not to admit others without knowledge of Key Staff. Identity cards are issued to extra carers/ guardians of children on request. Children are never handed over to unknown individuals without prior consent of parents and an ID card. Two security cameras control the outer perimeter of the house. All gates are kept locked.