First Friends Nursery

First Friends is a purpose built, 60 place nursery based at the College’s Henley Campus. It aims to support students to access educational studies and provide onsite childcare for college staff. Spaces for families in the community are available but limited.

Opening times:

  • Term Time:
    Mon – Thur 8:30am – 5:30pm  |  Fri 8:30am – 4:45pm

The nursery has four different indoor play and learning spaces, plus a large outdoor play area:

  • Baby room
  • Inbetweenies
  • Tweenie toddler room
  • Preschool room

Staff are passionate about providing high quality early years education, and we pride ourselves on taking the time to get to know each child, to bond with them and identify their strengths and areas that need scaffolding to support their progress.

The First Friends team is well established and have dedicated areas of knowledge which is all backed up by continual professional development, allowing us to offer the most up to date information to parents.

To find out whether First Friends has spaces available, please call 02476 791050 or email [email protected].

Due to Coronavirus we’ve implemented a number of measures to ensure we keep all children, staff and parents safe. We will be making changes in line with government and local authority advice and we’ll relay this information to parents regularly.

Settling in sessions for starting nursery are subject to review, but at present visits will take place, staggered throughout the day, and without the parent present.

All nursery starter paperwork must be completed and emailed back to [email protected] before your child can join us.

Below you’ll find more information and our FAQs. If you have any further questions, concerns or you just need to talk to us please use our website live chat or call the nursery directly on 02476 791050.

How are you keeping children socially distanced? Children will be put into groups at the start of the academic year, and will stay in these groups, until we have the guidance to suggest we can do otherwise.
What will your cleaning routine be like?

Nursery toys and environment will be thoroughly cleaned at the start of each day, and the end of each session. Staff will be limiting the resources available to children at any one time and disinfecting them after each use.

Throughout the day staff will use disinfectant cleaning products and disposable cloths to clean surfaces, door handles, chairs, etc so as to minimise the risk to the children and themselves.

What about hand washing facilities?

All children will be expected to wash their hands upon arrival at nursery, and will be washing them hourly throughout the day as well as when changing activities, eating, toileting, etc.

Hand sanitisers are available throughout the nursery for staff/children to use, and at the entrance/exit door for parents at drop off/collection.

Will this change how and where I drop off my child? Parents will not be allowed past the main hallway in the building, and may have to use alternative entrances, as will be decided at the start of term.
Will my child have to wear a mask? Children will not be expected to wear masks whilst at nursery, neither will staff. The only exception to this is if a child displays signs of COVID. At this stage the appropriate PPE will be worn.
Where can I find more information on the measures you’ve put in place? We have completed a thorough risk assessment for the nursery which will be shared with all parents as part of their starter pack.

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