Banana Moon Day Nursery

Technology plays an important part in our everyday lives. From having a smart speaker that can help with shopping lists to robot vacuums in our homes...there's tech for every eventuality!

This is no different for the childcare sphere, where embracing technology can enhance security, improve nursery-parent communication and can also be used in early years learning. But it can be a controversial topic, with some parents fearing that increased screen time will eclipse traditional learning tools and activities.

So, how can nurseries strike the perfect balance? We delve deeper into this topic in our latest whitepaper – download your free copy here: https://bit.ly/4ehWFWV

Join us as we venture behind the scenes at Banana Moon Bishop's Stortford... 👀

We're delighted with the progress of the nursery, which is coming soon to families in the South East.

Keep an eye on our social pages for more building updates 🙌

If you’ve thought about starting your own business, have any of these concerns crossed your mind?

At Banana Moon, we know that these are key things that will play on people’s minds. When an individual franchises with us, we want to ensure they’re running a successful business, with all the support they need ready and waiting!

Learn more about what franchising with us means here: https://bit.ly/4dpZWlH

Jack may say he’s getting in on the fun, but we really have Heatons to thank for these branded cupcakes they shared with us last week.

We promise it’s not a requirement to bring cake when you come to the Franchise Support Office…honestly! 😅

With our ‘Little hearts, bright futures’ initiative being such an important one to all of us here at Banana Moon, Claire was more than happy to take the reins from Emma in delivering the next lifesaving defibrillator to the network.

Here she is at Banana Moon Day Nursery in Harlow with Sian Burton and Helen Essery ❤

There’s nothing like a little competitive spirit now, is there…

Following Josh’s red velvet cake, Mark couldn’t help but get involved to be our star baker with his homemade blackberry and apple crumble – with apples from his garden and the blackberries picked with his own fair hands!

Hands up if you want a trip to the Franchise Support Office to try what our bakers keep whipping up 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️

In celebration of , we wanted to highlight our work in the community for each of our nurseries as part of our ‘Little hearts, bright futures’ initiative to provide lifesaving defibrillators to each of our locations.

We pride ourselves on providing a safe place for our children to grow and learn, and this is something we’re incredibly proud to support.

Could we have a new contender for Culinary Star of the Year at this year’s Midnight Moon Awards?

Look at this masterpiece that Josh brought into the office the other day – and it tasted even better than it looked!

Who will be giving Josh a run for his money for the title?… Let us know in the comments!

Last week, Emma headed to Banana Moon Day Nursery in Walsall to supply them with their lifesaving defibrillator ❤

We’re so proud of our ‘Little hearts, bright futures’ initiative and the safeguarding this provides for the little ones in each of our communities!

It’s been a very special week for us here at Banana Moon, as we've welcomed a new location to the family!

All will be revealed on Monday, but in the meantime, do you have any guesses as to where we might be?…

Many people dream about starting their own business, but when it comes to going it alone, these are some of the common fears that people have that will stop them in their tracks…

A way to ease these fears is to think about franchising, where you get support with all of these elements and have a support system for your business from an experienced team!

Take a look at our website to find out more about what franchising can mean for you: https://bit.ly/4dJBqNJ

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

We are thrilled to share that our nursery has received a Good rating in our recent OFSTED inspection! 🌟 This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible children, staff, and the entire nursery community. We couldn't be prouder!

We’ve attached the full OFSTED report for you to read and see all the wonderful things they had to say about our nursery. 📄

A huge thank you to all the parents and guardians for your unwavering support. Together, we’re creating an amazing learning environment for our children to thrive! 🙌

Find an Ofsted inspection report We use cookies to collect information about how you use this website. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve Ofsted services.

🍼🌙 Baby Moon Sensory Play: A World of Exploration! 🌟👶

Our Baby Moon and Teenie Moon Children have been diving into sensory play, and it’s been a blast! 👐🎨 From feeling different textures to discovering new smells and sounds, our little ones are exploring their senses in so many wonderful ways.

This sensory adventure is not just fun—it’s helping them expand their vocabulary as they describe what they feel, see, and hear. Plus, they’re engaging in schematic play, learning about patterns, connections, and cause and effect! 🧠🧩

We love watching their curiosity grow as they explore the world around them! 🌍💖

🌟 We’re Hiring: Level 3 Nursery Educator! 🌟

Are you passionate about working with young children? Do you have a Level 3 qualification in Early Years Education? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Position: Level 3 Nursery Educator
Location: Tunbridge wells
Employment Type: Full-Time/Part-Time

Join our dedicated team at Banana Moon TunbridgeWells and help us create a safe, nurturing, and fun learning environment for children aged [insert age range, e.g., 0-5 years]. You’ll be part of a supportive team, delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum and making a real difference in the lives of our little learners.

What We’re Looking For:

Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification (or equivalent)
Experience in a nursery or early years setting
A passion for early childhood education
Excellent communication and teamwork skills
Why Join Us?

Competitive salary
Ongoing professional development
Supportive and friendly work environment
📧 How to Apply: Send your CV and cover letter to [Insert Email Address]. Applications close on [Insert Deadline].

Don’t miss this chance to join a fantastic team and make a positive impact on young minds! 💫

🍼🌙 Baby Moon Fun: Exploring Building Blocks & the Connecting Schema! 🌟🧩

Our Baby Moon children had an exciting time exploring building blocks this week! 🧱✨ Through the connecting schema, our little ones are discovering how things fit together, which is a key part of their cognitive development.

Not only does this activity help with problem-solving and fine motor skills, but it also sparks creativity and concentration. Seeing their determination as they build and connect is truly amazing! 👶💪

Building strong foundations, one block at a time! 💖

🍼🌙 Baby Moon Mark Making: Creative Little Artists at Work! 🎨🖍️

Our Teenie Moon children have been exploring mark making using a variety of tools, and it’s been incredible to watch! 🖌️✏️ From crayons to paintbrushes, they’re learning how to express themselves through sequential play, discovering the magic of patterns and sequences.

This creative exploration is also helping them learn new words as they describe their creations and the tools they’re using. 📚🗣️ It’s all about building communication skills while having fun!

Every mark they make is a step in their learning journey! 🌟✍️

🌕✨ Full Moon Adventures: Exploring Role Play! ✨🌕

Our little explorers had a magical time under the full moon this week! 🌟 Through imaginative role play, they journeyed into the world of make-believe, transforming into astronauts, animals, and even magical creatures. 🧚‍♂️🚀🐯

Role play is not just fun—it's a fantastic way for children to develop social skills, creativity, and confidence. Watching their imaginations take flight was truly inspiring!

Check out these adorable snapshots of their adventures and the smiles that lit up the night. 🌙

🌕🦷 Our Full Moon children have been on an exciting exploration of oral health! They’ve been learning how to brush their teeth properly and discovering the amazing effects of keeping their smiles clean and bright. 🪥😁

But that’s not all—they’ve also been exploring what dentists do and how they help keep our teeth healthy. 🦷👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Exploring oral health offers several important benefits for preschoolers:

Establishes Healthy Habits Early: Introducing oral health concepts at a young age helps preschoolers develop good brushing and flossing habits, setting the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.

Prevents Dental Issues: Learning proper oral hygiene early on helps prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems, ensuring a healthy smile as they grow.

Reduces Fear of the Dentist: By learning about the role of the dentist and what happens during a dental visit, preschoolers can become more comfortable and less anxious about regular check-ups.

Improves Speech Development: Healthy teeth are important for clear speech. By taking care of their teeth, preschoolers can support proper speech development, which is crucial at this stage.

Promotes Good Nutrition: Healthy teeth help preschoolers chew food properly, aiding in better digestion and ensuring they receive the nutrition they need for growth and development.

Boosts Confidence: A clean, healthy smile can make preschoolers feel more confident in social situations, encouraging them to interact with others and express themselves.

Teaches Responsibility: Learning to care for their teeth gives preschoolers a sense of responsibility and independence, as they take charge of their own oral hygiene routine.

With every new discovery, they’re becoming experts in dental care. Keep up the great work, Full Moon Children—your healthy smiles are
shining brighter every day! ✨💙

🌞 As the summer bank holiday weekend arrives, we're soaking up every last bit of sunshine and making the most of the season! ☀️

Whether you're enjoying a BBQ with friends, heading to the beach, or simply relaxing at home, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the end of summer.

As we bid farewell to long, sunny days, we're also looking forward to the beauty of autumn—the crisp air, cozy sweaters, and colorful leaves. 🍂🍁

What are you up to this bank holiday, and what are you most excited about in the upcoming season? Share your plans with us!

With today being , we couldn’t help but share some photos of our two office mascots.

Do you think Nessie and Beau enjoy their days with us? Even if Moon isn’t always so keen…

🎭 Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity with Paper Mache Faces! 🌍❤️

This week, our room has been buzzing with creativity and important conversations as we explored the themes of inclusion and diversity. Using paper mache, we crafted unique faces that represent the beautiful variety of people in our world. Each child created a face that reflects not just their own features, but also those of their friends, celebrating the differences that make us all special. 🎨👦🏽👧🏻👩🏿🧓🏻

To deepen our understanding, we’ve also been reading books 📚 and using puppets 🧸 to explore stories of inclusion and friendship. Through these stories, the children learned that no matter where we come from or what we look like, we all deserve kindness, respect, and love. ❤️

This hands-on project allowed us to connect on a deeper level, fostering empathy and understanding among the children. The paper mache faces now proudly decorate our room, a reminder that our differences are what make us stronger together. 🌟

What does diversity mean to you? How do you celebrate inclusion in your everyday life? Share with us below! 👇

🔲✨ Pattern Play with Cubes: Exploring Shapes, Sizes, and Colors! 🎨🔵🔺

Today was all about discovering the magic of patterns using a variety of cubes in different sizes, shapes, and colors! 🌈🔶🔷 From stacking to sorting, the possibilities were endless as we explored how to create our own unique patterns.

We started by arranging cubes by size—tiny 🟥 to large 🟦—and then moved on to playing with colors 🌟. The kids got creative, building patterns like 🟡🔴🟢🔵, learning how different combinations can change the entire look. But we didn’t stop there! We also experimented with shapes 🔺🔸🔹, seeing how circles, squares, and triangles can form fun and intricate designs.

This hands-on activity was not just about having fun; it was also a great way to boost spatial awareness and encourage problem-solving. Each child walked away with their own special pattern creation, proud and excited to have learned something new!

What patterns can you create with the things around you? Share your designs with us! 🖼️✨

🌈 Exploring Emotions Through Fine Motor Skills and Color! 🎨

Today, we dived into a colorful journey of emotions with the help of the beloved book The Color Monster by Anna Llenas. 📚 This story beautifully connects colors to different feelings, helping little ones understand their emotions in a visual and relatable way.

We took it a step further by using our fine motor skills to express these emotions through art. Each child chose colors that resonated with how they felt—whether it was yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, or red for anger. By carefully painting, coloring, or crafting, they didn't just explore their emotions; they also honed their motor skills and learned the importance of expressing feelings in healthy, creative ways. 🎨🖌️

Watching the children become connected with their emotions and express them through color was such a heartwarming experience. It's amazing how something as simple as a color can open up so many conversations about feelings.

What color are you feeling today? 🌟

🌟 Exciting News! Our New Nursery is Open! 🌟

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of our brand-new nursery, designed with your little ones in mind! Our state-of-the-art facilities offer a warm, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. From spacious play areas to cozy nap corners, we’ve thought of everything to make your child's day full of joy and discovery.

Why choose us?
🎨 Creative learning spaces
🌳 Outdoor play areas
👩‍🏫 Qualified, caring staff
🍎 Healthy meals and snacks
🧸 Safe and secure environment

Plus, we support all available funding options to make high-quality childcare accessible for everyone! 💸

Spaces are filling up fast, so don't miss out on giving your child the best start. Join our family today and watch your little one flourish! 🌱

📞 Contact us now to arrange a visit and see the magic for yourself!

🪵 Check Out Our Amazing Mud Kitchen! 🪵

We’re excited to share one of our favorite outdoor features—the Mud Kitchen! 🌿 This is more than just a play area; it's a space where imagination runs wild and learning comes naturally. Children can mix, mash, and create while developing key skills along the way!

Why our Mud Kitchen is amazing:
🧠 Boosts creativity and imagination

👐 Encourages sensory exploration

🤝 Promotes teamwork and social skills

🌱 Connects kids with nature

💪 Builds fine motor skills and coordination

Supporting babies’ development in the mud kitchen is all about providing opportunities for sensory exploration, fine motor skill development, and early social interaction.

Our Mud Kitchen is where messy play turns into meaningful learning! Come and see the fun in action. Your little one will love getting their hands dirty while discovering a world of possibilities! 🧑‍🍳

🌈 Colorful Sensory Rice Play for Babies! 🌈

Today was all about sensory exploration with our little one, and what better way to do it than with colorful rice play! 🎨✨ This simple activity is a feast for the senses and offers endless opportunities for fun and learning.

👶 Why We Love Sensory Rice Play:

Touch: Tiny hands love feeling the soft, smooth rice grains—perfect for developing fine motor skills! 👐

Sight: Bright, beautiful colors captivate their attention and help with visual development. 👀🌈

Sound: The gentle rustle of rice as it moves around is surprisingly soothing! 🎶

Smell: Add a few drops of baby-safe essential oils to make it a truly multi-sensory experience. 🌸

Taste: While it’s not meant for eating, it’s always a good idea to supervise those curious little mouths! 😋

💡 Benefits:

Boosts creativity and imagination. 🌟

Enhances concentration and focus. 🎯

Supports motor skill development. 🤲

Introduces early learning concepts like colors and textures. 🌈

Watching our babies explore, laugh, and learn through play is the highlight of our day! 😍 Have you tried sensory rice play with your little one? We’d love to hear your tips and tricks! 👇

🌟 Join Our Team in OUR BRAND NEW NURSERY AS A Level 3 Nursery Educator PLUS A £250 JOINING BONUS!🌟

Are you passionate about early childhood education and eager to make a difference in the lives of young children? We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Level 3 Nursery Educator to join our vibrant team! 🌈👶📚

Key Responsibilities:
🧸 Plan and implement age-appropriate activities that promote physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.

🏡 Create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children.

📊 Observe and assess children’s progress, providing feedback to parents and carers.

🤝 Work collaboratively with a team of educators to maintain high standards of care and education.

✅ Ensure compliance with all nursery policies and regulatory requirements.

🌟 Foster positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.

Qualifications and Skills:

🎓 Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification (or equivalent).

📅 Previous experience working in a nursery or early childhood setting.

🧠 Strong understanding of child development and early years curriculum.

💬 Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

👥 Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

❤️ A genuine passion for working with young children and supporting their development.

Benefits:

💰 Competitive salary and benefits package.

📈 Professional development and training opportunities.

🤗 Supportive and friendly work environment.

🌱 Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children’s lives.

How to Apply:

If you are a dedicated and caring individual who meets the above qualifications, we would love to hear from you! Please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and why you are interested in this position to [email protected]

Join our team and help shape the future of our young learners! 🌟👧👦✨

Special delivery! 📦

Emma’s continuing her mission to deliver lifesaving defibrillators to each of our nurseries – this time, she’s at Banana Moon Day Nursery.

Our ‘Little hearts, bright futures’ initiative demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding the little ones in our care, as well as serving the wider communities we operate in.

As a franchise, knowing that we’re prepared to handle emergencies gives everyone extra peace of mind. Together, we’re creating the safest, happiest place for our children to learn and grow 🌱

Less than three weeks to go until the government funding kicks in for eligible 9-month-old children!

So why not help your local parents apply? We’ve put together some handy tips for them to get started…

🌈Sensory fun!✨

Our Baby Moons have been having fun in our Atelier, our little ones had an amazing time exploring sensory ribbons and toys today! 🧸✨

These activities aren't just fun—they're packed with benefits! Sensory play helps develop fine motor skills, enhances hand-eye coordination, and stimulates cognitive growth. 🎨👶

It also encourages creativity and fosters social interaction among the children. Watching them learn and grow through play is truly heartwarming! 💖🌟

🎉🎓 Today, we celebrated the little graduates who have taken their first big step in their educational journey! 🌟

Watching these bright young stars grow, learn, and play has been a joy beyond words. From their first scribbles to confidently reciting the alphabet, these little ones have shown that every small step counts towards something truly magical. 🌈

To our dear nursery graduates, you may be little, but your dreams are BIG! Keep shining, keep exploring, and keep being the wonderful, curious, and amazing individuals you are. The world is yours to discover, one step at a time. 🚀

To the incredible teachers and supportive parents, thank you for nurturing these tiny seeds of potential. Your love, patience, and encouragement have made this day possible. ❤️

Here’s to the future—a future filled with endless possibilities, laughter, and learning. Congratulations to our nursery graduates of 2024! 🎉🎓

We had a meeting on-site today at our new location in Bishop's Stortford to see the progress and measure up for our bespoke signage, which will be installed by the team at Warwick Signs.

Thanks Bruce Lovelock of The School Renovation Company for the hard work in helping the space to take shape – we can’t wait to see the finished product!