Our Team

At KingsWood, our team is at the heart of everything we do. It is their warmth, passion, and dedication that bring our ethos to life each and every day, creating the magic, care, and inspiration that shape your child’s early years.

Every practitioner has been carefully chosen not only for their qualifications and experience, but for their genuine love of life.  They share our belief in nurturing childhood, building strong relationships, and creating a place "where becoming an achiever is inevitable" Our team understands that feeling safe, valued, and understood is the foundation for all learning.

We take great pride in our rigorous recruitment process and fully adhere to safer recruitment practices in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, ensuring that every member of staff is suitable to work with children.

Our safer recruitment practices include:

• Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for all staff
• Verification of identity and right to work in the UK
• Qualification checks to ensure staff are suitably trained
• Obtaining and scrutinising references
• Full employment history checks and exploration of any gaps
• Robust interview processes to assess suitability to work with children
• Ongoing suitability monitoring for all staff

Our team offers:

• All practitioners hold an enhanced DBS (police) check
• All staff are trained in paediatric first aid, health and safety, safe sleep and food hygiene... the list goes on. 
• All practitioners complete mandatory training including safeguarding and child protection, Prevent Duty awareness, and whistleblowing procedures
• Training in behaviour management, equality and inclusion, and supporting children with additional needs
• Practitioners receive specialised training relevant to the age groups they support
• All unit coordinators hold a minimum Level 3 childcare qualification
• Two practitioners are qualified Forest School leaders, supporting our strong outdoor ethos
• There is always ongoing professional development for all staff, ensuring practice is continually evolving and improving. We are committed to going above and beyond. Our team accesses high-quality training that exceeds mandatory requirements, ensuring we provide the very best for every child.

We are a reflective team, always looking at our practice and environment to see how we can grow, improve, and provide even better experiences for the children in our care. We regularly evaluate what we do, celebrate what works well, and embrace new ideas to strengthen our provision, we look to families and children to share their ideas with us :) 

At KingsWood, our team is more than qualified, they are caring, inspiring individuals who create a nurturing environment where children can explore, grow, and truly flourish.

At KingsWood, we understand that starting nursery is a big step for both children and their families. Our settling sessions are carefully designed to ensure this transition is gentle, positive, and built around your child’s individual needs.

Settling sessions take place prior to your child starting. They provide a calm and welcoming opportunity for your child to explore their new environment, begin forming relationships, and feel safe and secure within the setting. We build and maintain strong partnership with parents/guardians, recognising families as key partners in ensuring "achieving is inevitable"

We see settling-in as the foundation for everything that follows. During these sessions, you and your child will spend time playing, exploring, and becoming familiar with the nursery routine. Just as importantly, it is a valuable time for you to build trusting relationships with our team.

Your child will be supported by their key person, who plays a central role in their nursery experience. The key person will:

• Build a strong, nurturing relationship with yourself and your child
• Ensure your child’s care and learning are tailored to their individual needs and your family’s wishes
• Support your child’s emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging
• Act as your main point of contact, working in partnership with you

During settling sessions, your key person will take time to get to know your child, learning about their interests, development, routines, and what makes them feel safe and happy. This shared understanding allows us to provide truly personalised care from the very beginning.

Our standard approach includes two 45-minute settling sessions; however, we recognise that every child and family is unique. As a reflective and responsive setting, we will always adapt and extend this process where needed, ensuring your child feels confident, secure, and ready to begin their journey with us.

At KingsWood, settling in is not rushed, it is a meaningful, supportive process where relationships are built, trust is formed, and every child begins to feel that they truly belong.

Working in Partnership with Parents/Guardians

We believe that strong partnerships with parents/guardians are essential in helping every child thrive. You are your child’s first educator, and we value your knowledge, insights, and involvement in your child’s journey.

• Each child’s individual missions are carefully planned based on what they need next in their learning and development. These are discussed with you, ensuring a shared understanding of your child’s progress and next steps.
• We support learning beyond the nursery through each child’s unique “My Story Book”, where we share experiences, achievements, and ideas for how learning can be continued at home. We strongly encourage this special book to be shared with any other childcare setting your child may attend, as this assists mirroring approaches.  
• Half-termly overviews are shared with families, outlining what is coming up in your child’s base room, along with practical home learning suggestions.
• We provide fun, engaging challenges to enjoy at home, such as growing your own broad bean, reading challenges, and seasonal activities that extend learning in meaningful ways.
• Regular parent evenings give you the opportunity to discuss your child’s development in more depth with their key person.
• Daily communication and informal conversations ensure you are always kept up to date and involved in your child’s day.
• We welcome parent voice and feedback, valuing your contributions as part of our reflective practice.
• Please know the door is always open, our phone lines are always available and emails can reach us in a flash if you ever need to "have a chat"