The Wishing Tree Day Nursery, Brighton

Wellbeing at The Wishing Tree is supported through both active and quieter parts of the nursery day. Yoga gives children opportunities for movement, balance and relaxation, while sports sessions encourage physical activity and playing alongside others. Our on-site chef prepares fresh, balanced meals to enjoy throughout the day.

Strong relationships with families are an important part of nursery life too. The GrandirUK App keeps families connected with updates on their child’s day, from meals and activities to photos of their latest adventures in the garden, while our team are always happy to make time for conversations with families.

We also invite families to be part of nursery life through Stay and Play sessions and social events, as well as our monthly grab-and-go breakfast for families.

Children at The Wishing Tree enjoy yoga and sports throughout the week, alongside messy play and hands-on experiences in the growing areas of our garden. These activities give children plenty of opportunities to move, create, explore and get involved in the natural world.

Outings are a regular part of nursery life too, from walks to places in the local Brighton community to adventures in the nearby forest. These experiences give children opportunities to explore different environments, spend time in nature and become more familiar with the world around them.

The Wishing Tree has five nursery groups, with spaces and resources designed around the needs of children at different ages and stages.

• Puffins: A nurturing environment designed around the routines and needs of our babies.
  
  
• Hummingbirds: A space for toddlers to move, explore and develop growing independence.
  
  
• Toucans: For children aged 2 and over, with opportunities to develop new skills through play and exploration.
  
  
• Flamingos: Supporting children as they progress towards preschool, with purposeful activities alongside opportunities for child-led play.
  
  
• Owls: Our preschool group for children aged 3 to 5 years, with experiences that build on children’s interests and help prepare them for school.

Flamingos and Toucans work closely together, helping children become familiar with the people and environment they will encounter as they progress. In Owls, our team follow the nursery curriculum while building on each child’s interests and giving them opportunities to develop growing confidence and independence as they prepare for school.

Every playroom has free-flow access to the garden, allowing children to move between indoor and outdoor experiences as part of their nursery day.

Outdoor space

Our spacious garden gives children plenty of room to explore throughout the year. Mud kitchens, growing areas and climbing frames provide opportunities for messy play, physical activity, imaginative games and hands-on experiences with the natural world.

The garden changes with the seasons too, from autumn leaf hunts to time spent exploring and playing outdoors on warmer summer days. These experiences give children opportunities to be active, make discoveries and develop their interest in the natural world.

Care at The Wishing Tree is shaped around each child as an individual. Our team take time to understand their interests, routines and needs, adapting their experiences rather than expecting every child to follow the same pattern.

Our on-site chef prepares fresh, nutritious meals and snacks each day, while rest times are shaped around individual routines. Our wraparound care also gives families greater flexibility around the nursery day.

Our approach to care and education at The Wishing Tree brings together our Foundations for the Future and ME models, drawing on Montessori, Hygge and elements of the Curiosity Approach.

Together, these approaches help shape a warm, engaging environment where learning is centred around the individual child. Children have opportunities to follow their interests, make choices, explore their own ideas and develop growing independence and creativity from an early age.

We believe each child’s individual journey should help shape their nursery experience. At The Wishing Tree, we draw on Montessori, Hygge and elements of the Curiosity Approach, bringing together different ideas to create an environment where children have opportunities to follow their interests and explore at their own pace.

Every playroom opens directly onto our garden, making the outdoors a natural extension of the nursery environment. Children have opportunities to choose where and how they explore, try things for themselves and develop growing independence and creativity.

For families with more than one child, having siblings at the same nursery means one drop-off and pick-up. Our five nursery groups all have free-flow access to the same garden, so brothers and sisters can each enjoy a space suited to their own age and stage while still having opportunities to spend time together outdoors.

Sibling places are subject to availability, but where we have space in the appropriate group, we will always do what we can to find places for brothers and sisters together.

Led by Nursery Manager Anna, our experienced team bring a broad range of Early Years knowledge and expertise to The Wishing Tree. The team includes Level 3 qualified nursery practitioners and Early Years teachers, with training in safeguarding, first aid and food hygiene.

Our SENCo works closely with children, families and the wider nursery team to understand individual needs and help provide appropriate support for each child.