A Purpose-Built Environment for Every Stage of Early Development

At Diggle Day Nursery, our facilities are designed with children’s needs, safety and development in mind. Each room and area is tailored to suit specific age groups, supporting children as they grow, explore and learn at their own pace. From our cosy baby room to our vibrant pre-school space, and from nature-inspired outdoor play to our unique Leafy Learners Lodge, every part of the nursery is created to spark curiosity, build confidence and make children feel right at home.

Caterpillar Room (0-12 Months)

Maximum of 6 Children (ration 1 adult : 3 children)

The Caterpillar/ Baby Room is a calm, homely environment which caters for babies and their needs to help them progress and develop in stable, comfortable surroundings.

The room follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and works closely with the Butterfly/ Toddler room in order for the children to interact with each other and familiarise themselves with other staff members.

The room offers resources needed for babies to learn, explore and develop. The main areas of provision in the Caterpillar/ Baby Room are Physical, Exploratory, Imaginary, Comfortable and Messy/Creative. The room has a variety of sound and texture, stacking and building toys as well as shakers which provide valuable ways of learning through play.

The comfortable area offers somewhere for the children to rest and snuggle and also interact with their key worker and other children to help build relationships. It also has a family wall where the children can take down and look at their own family photos to bring a homely feel to the area.

There is a variety of toys and resources to help aid the development of children who are learning to move. The furniture is at a low level to help those who are learning to pull to stand and walk.

We provide a variety of treasure baskets for the children to explore and also carry out daily messy/creative activities to develop exploration and creativity. Every Child Is A Talker (ECAT) activities are carried out daily to develop language and communication skills.

The routine in the Caterpillar/ baby room is flexible to allow the children to settle in and to enable us to meet their individual needs.

Butterfly Room (12-24 months)

Maximum of 12 children ( 1 adult : 3 children)

This modern and homely room is designed for children between the ages of 12-24mths. It enables children to progress in a relaxed and contented environment. The Butterfly/ Tot room provides lots of space and resources needed by the exploring toddlers. The room follows Birth – Five framework and has four main areas:

• Imaginary
• Exploratory
• Physical
• Comfortable

The cosy area is ideal for exploratory, imaginary and physical experiences. The children can explore the toys and resources around them such as the small world toys, exploratory tubs, treasure baskets etc, use their imagination skills in the form of the role play kitchen and the dressing up, and the children can also gain control of their bodies through active indoor and outdoor play.

The comfortable area offers a cosy den where the children can go and relax, listen to stories, sing songs whilst in a group environment, or simply enjoy the comforts individually. The non-slip hard floor area is perfect for the children to explore their creative side and experience all the messy activities we have to offer. The messy activities promote sensory exploration, textured play as well as craft and cooking experiences.

The provisions of the Butterfly/ Tot room coincides with the EYFS framework and provides the following provision area’s to enhance your child’s development:

• ICT
• Small world
• Outdoor
• Role play
• Construction
• Sand
• Water
• Messy
• Story/comfy corner
• Sensory area
• Mark making

The toys in each area are changed daily or weekly depending on the next steps from the planning or if the children have initiated they would like a particular toy or activity for that day.

The staff observe spontaneously throughout the day to enable them to plan future learning, activities and experiences.

All resources in the Caterpillar/ Tot room are age and stage appropriate so the children are active and engaged throughout the day.

Ladybird Room (24-36 months)

The Ladybird room offers a spacious, modern environment for children aged between 24 – 36 months. The room consists of the following provision areas:

Water, Sand, Malleable, Workshop, Mark Making, Small World, Construction, Role Play, Story Corner and ICT

The layout of the room is similar to the Pre School room in order for the children to have the same experiences but on a much smaller scale. This helps the children when they move up this large scale room. In each area the children have a vast range of resources to promote independence and choice. Toys in each area are changed weekly depending on next steps from individual planning or if the children have initiated they would like something out that day.

The staff observe the children spontaneously throughout the day to enable them to plan future learning, activities and experiences. Outdoor play is widely encouraged in the Ladybird Room and activities are often taken outside throughout the day.

Toileting is introduced in this room and can be encouraged on a one to one basis with the child’s key worker as there is a separate bathroom accessible easily from the room.

The Ladybird room enables the children to slowly start to make choices, choose their own toys, gain confidence, self-esteem and be more independent.

Preschool (36-48 months)

The Pre-School Room at Diggle Day Nursery is a bright, spacious and carefully designed environment for children aged three and up who are preparing to start school. This room has been thoughtfully set up to support both independent exploration and adult-led learning, helping children develop the skills they need for their next step in education. Inside, children have access to a wide range of stimulating learning areas, including: Sand, Water, Malleable Materials, Small World, Construction, Role Play, Mark Making, Story Corner, ICT, Workshop, and Block Play. Each area encourages different aspects of development, from creativity and language to fine motor skills and problem-solving.

Children are offered free-flow play throughout the day, allowing them to choose their own activities based on their interests and curiosity. Alongside this, keyworker-led and ECAT (Every Child a Talker) sessions take place to support early language and communication. Staff play an active role in supporting the children’s development through observation, using these insights to plan purposeful next steps and engaging future activities. This approach ensures each child’s learning journey is personalised and well-supported.

Social development is also a key focus in the Pre-School Room. During snack times, a staff member is always present to help encourage conversation, turn-taking and positive peer interaction. These moments are not only about nourishment but also about building social confidence and fostering friendships.

Outdoor play is an essential part of the Pre-School experience. Staff supervise and actively engage with the children during morning and afternoon outdoor sessions, setting up meaningful activities that align with the individual planning for each child. In addition to our own outdoor areas, the children regularly explore the wider community. Whether it’s a walk to the local park, a visit to the library, browsing at nearby shops, feeding ducks at the pond, exploring the adventure trail or visiting local schools, these outings give children real-world experiences that support learning, build confidence and connect them with the world around them.

The Leafy Learners Lodge & Our Outdoor Areas

Leafy Learners Lodge

The Leafy Learners Lodge is a dedicated space within the nursery grounds that brings nature-based learning to life. Designed to feel warm, inviting and close to the natural world, the lodge is a calm and enriching environment where children can explore, create and connect with the outdoors. With natural textures, earthy colours and open-ended resources, the space encourages curiosity and imaginative play, supporting children’s cognitive, emotional and physical development.

This unique indoor-outdoor classroom is used for nature-inspired activities, from identifying leaves and minibeasts to storytelling, crafts and seasonal projects. Learning in the Leafy Learners Lodge is child-led and exploratory, helping children to build independence, develop their problem-solving skills and foster a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. It’s a quiet and nurturing extension of our outdoor provision that offers valuable opportunities for focused, nature-based learning all year round.

Outdoor Areas

At Diggle Day Nursery, outdoor play is a vital part of everyday life. Our large, well-equipped outdoor spaces give children the freedom to move, explore and enjoy fresh air in a safe and stimulating environment. Whether they’re climbing, digging, balancing or role playing, children benefit from opportunities that support their physical development, build resilience, and spark creativity.

The outdoor areas feature a variety of zones, including climbing equipment, mud kitchens, sand and water play, ride-on toys, and imaginative play corners. Natural elements are integrated throughout, helping children learn about the world around them while encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. Whatever the weather, our outdoor spaces are used all year round, giving children the chance to connect with nature and enjoy meaningful learning experiences outside the classroom.