Our Nursery Approach
We believe children grow best when they are free to lead the day
Choosing a nursery is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent, and we believe you should never have to compromise. Our vision from the start has been simple: to create a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued and excited to learn. We have always believed children learn best through play, exploration and meaningful experiences that let them develop at their own pace, in a true home-from-home where every child is known and celebrated as an individual.
Since opening in 2000, the nursery has stayed true to the same principles: fresh food cooked on site each day, time outdoors in every season, and parents treated as genuine partners in their child's care, still led by the same family more than 25 years on.
Settling In at The House That Jack Built
A calm start
Settling in has always been an integral part of our rhythm. Sessions start short, with you there to explore together, and build gradually as your child's confidence grows. There is no fixed timeline. If either of you needs more time, we work through it together. You will both feel ready before we take the next step.
Our promise to you
Before your child starts, we take time to understand exactly what they need. Throughout settling in, we keep you closely updated and are always here when you need to talk. As a family-run nursery, you will always know who to turn to.
Before You Start
Talk to the family behind The House That Jack Built
Before your child's first session, their key carer gets in touch to learn what makes them feel at home. Their routine, their favourite things, what comforts them. We plan that first morning around what you tell us, so from the moment they arrive, someone who already knows them is ready and waiting.
Your First Visit
You stay with your child until they are truly ready
Your first settling in session is about discovering the nursery together, at your own pace. You stay the whole time. Your child meets their key carer, finds their own box, works out where everything is kept. No timetable to follow. Just time to feel at home.
Your Second Visit
They leave happy. You leave certain.
We guide you through a warm, clear goodbye at drop-off. While you have a welcome meeting with the manager, while your child enjoys their first meal with the other children and their key carer. It is a true goodbye for your child to rehearse, even though you are still close by. They learn, very quickly, that you always come back.
Building Up Together
Your child finds their feet, at their own pace
Sessions build gradually in length over the first week or two. We are watching carefully throughout: what settles your child, what sparks their interest, where they feel most at ease. That observation shapes everything we do next, because no two children arrive the same way or need the same thing.
Growing With Your Child
You are always part of what happens here
We speak with you every day at drop-off and collection. For more considered conversations, your child's key carer writes termly learning summaries and appointments are available at any time throughout the year. Parent evenings give you the chance to meet the wider team, look around the nursery, and ask anything at all.
Food & Nutrition
Fresh, home-cooked meals every day
The nursery is proud of its nutritious, home-cooked meals, prepared fresh each day by dedicated chefs on a four-week rotating menu. Breakfast, snacks, lunch and tea keep children fuelled to learn, play and grow, with fresh fruit and drinking water available throughout the day for whenever they need a top-up.
Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs
Working with you to support every child
The nursery is committed to helping every child reach their full potential, working closely with families to identify and support individual needs as early as possible. Staff partner with parents, carers and other professionals to put the right strategies in place, guiding families through an SEN Support Plan or EHCP where needed, so children have the right support before they transition to school.
Questions Parents Ask Us
The questions every parent asks, answered honestly
These are not hypothetical worries. They come up on every single tour. Here is exactly how we address each one.
“Will my child cry every morning?”
Most children do in the first few days. That is completely normal. What matters is what happens next. We learn what each child needs before they start, and sessions build gradually until confidence grows at their own pace. Within a couple of weeks, most children walk in and get straight to it.
“Will anyone really know my child?”
Before your child starts, their key carer gets in touch to learn what helps them feel settled: their routine at home, what comforts them, any worries you have. Their first sessions at The House That Jack Built are planned around exactly what you share with us. You will always have the same familiar face at the door.
“What if my child won't eat what the chef has made”
Fussy eating is one of the most common worries parents bring to us. Our chefs prepare breakfast, lunch, tea and two snacks fresh on site every day, and staff sit and eat alongside the children at every mealtime. There is no pressure, just good food and good company. Most children begin trying new things naturally within a few weeks.
“How do you handle illness?”
We follow UKHSA guidance so our decisions are always consistent and you never have to guess. We walk you through our illness policy before your child's first day, so if we do need to call you, it will never come as a surprise. You will always know exactly where you stand.
“Will nursery ruin their sleep routine?”
Before your child starts, we sit down with you and talk through how they sleep at home. A rest plan is put in place that follows their lead, and sleeping babies always have a member of staff present. Every setting has a calm, familiar wind-down, and we adjust things gently in those first weeks as we get to know them.
“Will I spend the whole day wondering if they are okay?”
We update you regularly so you know how your child's day is going. In the first week we message you after drop-off to confirm they have settled. You can call or speak to our team at any point throughout the day. You are never left wondering.
Safety & Safeguarding
What keeping your child safe looks like at The House That Jack Built
Every nursery says children come first. Here is how we make that real every day at The House That Jack Built.
The things that quietly keep children safe and secure
All staff are DBS-checked and paediatric first aid trained. Staff remain in the room while babies sleep. Our illness policy follows UKHSA guidance so decisions are always clear. Allergy plans are agreed with parents before a child starts. Any safeguarding concern is referred immediately, without exception.
We talk to you the way we'd want to be talked to as parents
Our Ofsted report, menus, staff ratios and policies are available to you at any time. If something goes wrong, we tell you the same day and explain exactly what happened and what we did about it. You will never be left guessing about your child's day.
Staff who are trained to our own standard
High staff turnover is one of the biggest hidden risks in choosing a nursery. At The House That Jack Built, the team has built something people want to stay part of. All staff hold or are working towards professional qualifications, and our senior team works in the rooms alongside practitioners.
Funding and fees, handled clearly
We manage your funded hours directly with the local authority and remind you when codes need renewing. We accept a wide range of childcare vouchers and explain how everything works in plain terms from the moment you join us. Your invoice will clearly reflect any funding applied. No hidden extras, no surprises.
Safety and trust are built through consistency, careful decisions and high standards upheld every day. We are always happy to answer your questions, show you around and let you see for yourself how the nursery feels in practice. Come and meet us.
Book a tourWhat parents say
- ★★★★★
“Our 4 year old has just finished at The House That Jack Built to start school, having been at the nursery since he was 16 months old. He absolutely loved his time there. It’s a lovely spacious site with great facilities, and the staff are so caring, smiley and creative. He has such a special bond with them. All of the staff have helped him grow into such a confident little boy, and he walked happily into reception last week without a backward glance, despite being one of the youngest starters. We also have a 2 year old who is just leaving the baby unit and moving up to toddlers. The baby unit is an amazing space and run by the loveliest team. A huge thank you for all of your smiles and care over the last three years.”
Georgina K.
- ★★★★★
“Both of my children have attended THTJB over the past 4 years and we have had the best experience. My son was so well prepared to start school last September, despite being one of the youngest in his year, and my daughter can't wait to run into her friends and key workers every morning that she attends. All the staff are so friendly and helpful and the children have a great balance of lots of fun combined with structure.”
Leyla J.
- ★★★★★
“Cannot recommend more: my two daughters came here before leaving for school, my eldest who has special needs was well looked after, and they helped us with the EHCP, and any additional support that would be needed, was such a life saver, as for my youngest who just left for school recently is more than prepared! Both of my children loved this nursery, and made many friends, the staff are warm and friendly, and really take the time to listen to you and your children, they also have little events like pirate day and a Christmas sing!”
Angus W.
See us in action
Come and see a normal day
A tour is the best way to know whether we are the right fit. Meet our team, explore the spaces, and ask us anything.