Overview
Babies at The House That Jack Built have a building entirely their own at our Marlow Bottom nursery, purpose-built for children under two rather than a room adapted from an older age group. It means quieter spaces and equipment designed specifically for this age, and a setting built around what very young babies actually need. We are expanding this same model to our Hazlemere nursery too. As far as we know, no other nursery in the area offers a dedicated baby building in this way.
A Typical Day
Inside, babies are looked after with a ratio of one adult to three, and there is no fixed timetable. Sleep, feeds and nappy changes follow each baby's own pattern, recorded in a daily diary so parents know exactly how their child's day has gone, with cotton bedding kept just for your own child and staff checking sleeping babies every ten minutes. Development at this stage happens through the senses and repetition, so the days are built around sensory play, water play, music and time outdoors, with buggy walks a regular part of the routine, whatever the season.
Care & Development
At this age nothing matters more than a consistent, familiar adult who knows a baby's cues, and that small ratio is what makes secure attachment possible rather than just a nice idea in a policy document. Early communication is encouraged simply by being responded to, a coo answered, a babble repeated back, the small exchanges that lay the groundwork for first words later on.
Why Families Choose Us
The nursery was started by Margaret in 2000, when her own son Jack was nine months old, because she wanted somewhere that felt like an extension of home. That family instinct still runs through how the baby room is run today, backed up by an overall Good Ofsted rating and a Certificate of Achievement from Buckinghamshire County Council for excellent high quality childcare.
- Ages
- 3 months to 2 years
- Ratio
- 1:3
- Outdoor access
- Daily outdoor sessions
Our other rooms
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.
Things parents ask us
Common questions
Your baby sleeps to their own pattern rather than a fixed nursery schedule, and staff record feeds, naps and nappy changes in a daily diary so you can see exactly how the day went. Staff check on sleeping babies every ten minutes and log each check. Your child's cotton bedding is kept solely for them, and gentle music plays while they settle.
One adult cares for no more than three babies, which is close enough for a key person to genuinely know each child's individual routine rather than manage a group timetable. It means someone notices the small cues, a particular grizzle, a change in feeding pattern, and responds before it becomes unsettling. That level of attention is what secure attachment at this age depends on.
Settling in centres on building a relationship with a consistent key person who learns your baby's routine, preferences and comforts before anything else is asked of them. Because the daily pattern already follows your baby rather than a fixed schedule, there is no rigid routine to force them into from day one. Honest conversation with parents at drop-off and pick-up keeps everyone aligned as your baby settles.
Yes, every day. Alongside sensory play, water play and music indoors, babies go out for buggy walks and time in the garden as a normal part of the day rather than an occasional extra.
The daily diary covers the practical rhythm of feeds, sleep and nappy changes, and staff talk to you directly about the developmental side, from early babbling to first attempts at crawling or standing. Because ratios are low, key persons get real one-to-one time with your baby and can speak specifically about what they are noticing, not just a general update. Termly updates build a fuller picture over time.
Moves happen when a child is developmentally ready, not simply on a birthday, and staff work with parents to talk through timing before it happens. The consistency of the key person approach in the Babies room is deliberately carried into how the transition is handled, so it is gradual rather than abrupt.
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
All nurseries are Ofsted rated Good. Reports are available for every location so you do not have to take our word for it.
"Children develop strong social skills and gain high levels of confidence."