Our Rooms

The Hive, two to three year olds

The Hive is a warm, nurturing space designed around the needs of children aged two to three. We provide a safe, welcoming environment where children can build confidence, independence and a strong sense of belonging through play and everyday experiences.

Our Level 8 Early Years Educators build warm, responsive relationships with each child, taking time to understand their individual interests, needs and stage of development. Through observation and thoughtful planning, children are encouraged to explore, communicate, problem-solve and learn at their own pace.

Children enjoy a balance of child-led and educator-supported play, with opportunities for sensory and messy play, creativity, construction, imaginative play, stories, music, movement and outdoor activities. Resources are accessible at child height, encouraging children to make choices, explore independently and develop confidence.

We also support the important skills children are developing at this age, including language and communication, friendships, sharing and turn-taking, physical development and self-care. Children are encouraged to take part in everyday routines such as handwashing, tidying, dressing, mealtimes and age-appropriate toileting.

Above all, The Hive is a place where children feel safe, valued and listened to, giving them the freedom to explore, discover, build relationships and grow in confidence with the support of caring educators.

The Old Barn, first year preschool

The Old Barn is our first-year preschool room, offering a warm, nurturing environment where children can build confidence and independence, and build on the skills they have developed in their earlier years.

Our play-based, child-led approach recognises that every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Our qualified Early Years Educators observe and support each child, providing the right balance of encouragement, challenge and independence to help them become confident learners.

Through play and everyday experiences, children develop their language and communication, early literacy and numeracy, creativity, problem-solving, physical and social skills. They enjoy a variety of experiences including construction, imaginative play, stories, music and movement, sensory activities, creative play and outdoor learning.

Developing independence is an important part of life in The Old Barn. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their belongings, tidy up, manage routines, develop self-care skills and build confidence with toileting.

We also support children in building friendships, expressing their feelings, sharing, taking turns and developing kindness and respect for others. As they progress through their first preschool year, we gently develop the confidence, communication, independence and social skills that will support them in their next stage of learning.

Above all, we want every child in The Old Barn to feel safe, valued, capable and confident, while enjoying their learning journey at their own pace.

The Loft, second year preschool

The Loft is our second-year preschool room, where children take the next steps in their early learning journey and begin preparing for the transition to primary school.

Our qualified Early Years Educators provide a warm, play-based environment where children are encouraged to become more confident, independent and responsible. Through meaningful play and everyday experiences, we support the development of communication, early literacy and numeracy, problem-solving, creativity, social skills and self-care.

A key focus of the second preschool year is school readiness. We gently support children in developing the confidence, independence, communication and social skills they will need as they move on to primary school. We encourage children to make choices, express their ideas, manage routines, build friendships and take pride in what they can do, helping them approach this exciting transition with confidence.

The Loft, school age childcare

After preschool, The Loft becomes a welcoming School Age Childcare (SAC) space for children from local primary schools. We understand that after a busy day at school, children do not always want more structured activities. Sometimes they simply want to relax, have fun and feel at home.

Our aim is to create a true home-from-home, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, delicious warm food and plenty of opportunities to play, chat, unwind and spend time with friends. Children can choose from activities such as arts and crafts, baking, construction, board games, music, drama, sports, outdoor play and more, or simply enjoy some quiet time.

Homework and reading time are also supported in a relaxed environment, with staff on hand when needed.

Most importantly, children have a voice at The Loft. We listen to their ideas, interests and opinions and encourage them to have a say in the activities and experiences they enjoy. We want every child to feel comfortable, respected and valued, just as they would at home.

The Shelter - All-Weather Outdoor Learning

At Buttercup Childcare, we are incredibly fortunate to have The Shelter, a large, covered outdoor space that allows children of all ages to enjoy the benefits of outdoor play and learning throughout the year, whatever the weather.

The Shelter provides an extension of our indoor learning environments and gives children the freedom to explore, play, create and learn in the fresh air while remaining protected from rain and other weather conditions. We make use of this space every day, bringing elements of our curriculum outdoors wherever possible.

The space is flexible and suitable for all age groups, allowing children to take part in a wide variety of experiences including messy and sensory play, creative activities, physical play, imaginative play, group activities and opportunities to explore nature.

We believe outdoor play is an important part of children's wellbeing and development. It provides opportunities to be active, build confidence, develop physical skills, work together, take appropriate risks and experience the natural world.

The Shelter allows us to enjoy outdoor learning in every season, making outdoor play a natural and valued part of everyday life at Buttercup Childcare.

The Garden - Outdoor Learning

The Garden is an important part of life at Buttercup Childcare, providing children with a beautiful, natural outdoor environment where they can explore, discover, create and learn throughout the year.

Our mature garden includes a fairy corner, bug hotel, outdoor classroom, mud kitchen, sandpit, water table, chalkboards and dedicated digging areas, along with a playhouse, swings, slide and plenty of space for active and imaginative play.

We encourage children to develop a love and respect for the natural world through gardening, growing, exploring minibeasts, seasonal activities and caring for our outdoor environment. Children have regular opportunities to investigate nature, take manageable risks, work together and develop their physical skills through active outdoor play.

Our commitment to nature and outdoor learning was recently recognised when Buttercup Childcare was awarded a Nature Hero Award. We are very proud of this achievement and of the role our children and educators play in caring for and connecting with the natural world.

The Garden is a place where children can run, explore, get messy, be creative and work together, enjoying the benefits of fresh air and outdoor learning in every season.