Welcome to the award winning Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre based on the University of Leeds campus.
Our state of the art Childcare Centre opened in April 2010. As a staff team, we regularly review our practice, policies and procedures, to ensure that they meet local and national guidelines and requirements, whilst ensuring the care we offer is of the highest quality and standard.
Centre Organisation
The Centre is registered with Ofsted and can accommodate up to 168 children aged between 3 months and 5 years. We operate a Playscheme during school holidays for 32 children aged between 3 and 11 years. The Centre opening times are Monday to Friday 8.00am-6.00pm (last collection at 5:50pm). The Centre will close on Statutory Bank Holidays and some University closed days.
The child/staff ratios are set by the governing body Ofsted who are responsible for the registration and inspection of the Centre. Our Systems Manager will always work with the staff team and supply agencies to ensure these ratios are met at all times.
These ratios are one member of staff:
- For every three children under two
- For every four children aged between two and three years
- For every eight children over the age of three
Childcare and Education
At Bright Beginnings Childcare Centre, children have the opportunity to grow within a caring, secure and stimulating environment. Offering space and time for children to explore and discover the world around them, providing opportunities for children to take controlled and calculated ‘risks’. Our children come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs and this is reflected in our respect for each individual child and the way in which the Centre is managed.
Our children are given praise and encouragement to develop their self-esteem within an atmosphere where they feel secure, valued and loved. We want our children to be confident and develop a sense of achievement through exploring and discovering, learning through experiences that are pleasurable and rewarding.
Children participate in a range of activities which take due account their developing physical intellectual, emotional and social abilities. Children are encouraged to think and talk about their learning and develop self-control and independence. There are appropriate periods of time for learning through sustained involvement in concentrated activity. Our children are encouraged to establish effective relationships with peers, adults and be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others.
We encourage an interest in learning by providing varied activities and having a range of toys and equipment available for children to choose from. Self-help and social skills are developed through adult interaction and support. Children are encouraged to discuss their experiences and activities undertaken at the centre. Practitioners will observe and assess children following the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
Our Intent, Implementation and Impact
The Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Staff Training
Bright Beginnings believe that good quality staff are the most important resource. Staff are valued and are encouraged and motivated. Individual opportunities are supported through the provision of appropriate and relevant training opportunities. The Centre closes for 2 training days per year at June and December as it is very important to train as a whole staff team.
In June 2023, Dr Sharon Colilles from Bath Spa University delivered a bespoke training day about Inclusion and Representation.
In December 2023, Our focus will be Safer Working Practice Refresher Training from Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership. Families | Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership (leedsscp.org.uk)
Staff Qualifications
Members of staff hold a range of childcare qualifications including BA Hons, Early Years Professional Status Foundation Degree, EYPS,EYITT, Nursery Nurse (NNEB), BTEC and Level 2/3 Apprenticeship qualifications in Childcare. All staff are vetted to ensure they are a suitable person to be working with children following DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and Safer Recruitment.
