Mission Statement

Choosing a nursery for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. It is essential that you find a nursery which will support you and your child`s developmental needs and provide a safe, caring and secure environment to allow them to develop into a unique individual.

At Mereside Farm Children`s Nursery, one of Shirley`s longest standing nurseries and undoubtedly one of the biggest kept secrets, we aim to provide a safe and secure setting that combines both educational and care needs with a personalised approach to each child, with all activities and curriculum offered being set around individual needs.

Our qualified, experienced and dedicated team ensures that each child`s chances of maximizing their potential are reached, with opportunities to experience all areas of learning, enabling children to create their own pathways and take the next steps within their developmental journey. All of our staff are qualified to level 3 in childcare, plus all hold basic food hygiene and paediatric first aid certificates(in addition to many other qualifications), with several having been at the nursery for 8 or 9 years, and Chris(our Deputy Manager) having spent 15+ years Mereside, who together with our experienced Manager Terri Carter and hands on owner Ruth Lowe, provide the dedicated and experienced care that is paramount for every child.

As a setting, our safeguarding responsibilities are key in our day to day practices, from tight security and collection procedures, CCTV on site, staff fully trained in all areas of safeguarding practice and always following our local authority procedures reporting any concerns we have. 

We believe strongly in the utilisation of technology and this is evident throughout the Nursery, with each room and every member of the team using tablet technology to record and track the progress of each child`s journey and progression against the Development Matters throughout their Nursery life, which is all shared with the parents via our parent portal.

Our Pre School room benefits from and children use interactive touch screen technology, which research proving that this assists in improved child participation, engagement, understanding and collaborative working.

Working in partnership with parents is paramount to children`s learning and development, and at Mereside we recognise the importance of the partnership and strive to ensure a collaborative approach between home and nursery.

Each child is appointed a Key Person, who will be a crucial factor in the partnership, with parents benefiting from a clear point of first contact within the Nursery, a reassuring familiar face and someone to be able to feedback on a daily/session by session basic and deal with any concerns.

Our latest Ofsted inspection in January 2022 rated as "Good", and you will see exerts from the report throughout the site, but to see the report itself click here.

Well, in addition to what you have already within this web site and the testimonials you may have read from parents past and present, here are some other reasons why you should consider us;

• 1.Adequate parking and drop off/collection spaces and facilities, all away from main roads.
• 2.Daily activities planned in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• 3.Freshly home cooked(on site)nutritious meals.
• 4.Funded places for 2/3/4 year olds.
• 5.Childcare vouchers & tax free payments accepted.
• 6.Sensory facilities to support younger children.
• 7.Open from 7.30am until 6.00pm, 51 weeks per year.
• 8.Extensive outside play area approximateiy 500 sqm, with access to the open countryside.
• 9.Full and part time places available.