Our Approach at The Manor House Nursery, Westbury on Trym
A place to feel safe, play freely and become more independent
The Manor House Nursery has been providing children's care since 1994. Here, children’s interests guide their play. We build close relationships with them and their families so they feel safe and supported. Our team joins in to help them explore their ideas, while giving them space to make choices and do things for themselves.
We help children understand their feelings and learn to judge what they can manage for themselves. Below, you can read about settling in, find answers to parents’ questions and learn how we support your child throughout their time with us.
Settling in at The Manor House
How a new child finds their feet
Settling in starts with feeling safe, understood and cared for. Your child’s two key people take time to get to know you, learning the routines, interests and little comforts that help your child feel at home. Together, we move at your child’s pace, building the trust and confidence they need to explore The Manor House in their own way.
If more time is needed
Every child settles at their own pace. If your child needs extra settling-in sessions, we’ll arrange them at no additional cost. We’ll work together, taking each step at a pace that feels right for you and your child.
First Session
Exploring together
Your first settling session is an hour, together. While your child plays and gets to know the rooms and garden, you sit down with us to go through any paperwork and start their All About Me: what comforts them, what they love and how they like to do things.
Second session
A first hour on their own
The second visit lasts an hour without you, giving your child time to play and settle into nursery. You return to collect them at the end of the session, and we'll let you know how it went.
First two weeks
Longer sessions with a meal and a nap
Sessions become longer, giving your child a chance to eat and sleep at nursery. We increase session length over 2 weeks as they become more comfortable with the space.
First six weeks
Getting to know your child
Over the first six weeks, your child’s two key people build a close relationship with them and with you. Through regular Famly updates and conversations at drop-off and collection, we share their day, hear how things are going at home and talk through any questions. Their All About Me record grows with what we learn together, with your knowledge of your child helping shape their care.
Week six
Looking back together
Six weeks after your child starts, we sit down with you to talk through how they've settled and what they're enjoying. From then on, there's a weekly newsfeed of what the children have been up to, and a progress review every six months.
Our community in Westbury on Trym
Visits to our neighbours at Trymview Hall
Building friendships with our local community matters to us. It helps children grow socially and emotionally, and shows them more of the world beyond the nursery gates. Our children now visit the residents at Trymview Hall each week. They bring stories to share and sit down together for a drink and a snack. On the first visit, the residents showed them round their garden, and the chickens were the highlight of the day.
Life at The Manor House
Meet Bailey
Bailey, our manager's dog, is a regular visitor and a firm favourite with the children. They love helping to look after her and taking her out for walks, learning to be gentle, patient and caring along the way.
The questions parents ask us
What to expect when your child joins us
Here are answers about settling in and everyday life at The Manor House. When you visit, you’re welcome to ask us anything else you’d like to know.
“What if there are tears at first?”
Some children take a while to settle, and that is ordinary. By the time your child starts properly they will have spent two weeks of visits getting used to the rooms, the garden and the adults who will care for them. Separation is the worry we hear most, and the manager will sit down with you to talk it through.
“Will my child be known as an individual?”
Your child has a primary and secondary key person who build a close relationship with them and with you. Their All About Me record is added to over the first six weeks as we get to know them. We call this a “triangle of trust” between your child, their key person and you, helping them feel understood, cared for and safe.
“What if my child is a fussy eater?”
Fussy eating at nursery is common at first and we never pressure children to eat. The Pod is a dedicated food room where children eat in groups while practitioners encourage independence and communication. Once they see their friends enjoying food in a relaxed, sociable setting, most start to try new things naturally within a few weeks.
“What happens if my child is ill?”
We follow UKHSA guidance closely so our decisions are always clear and consistent. We explain our illness policy from the start so you always know what to expect. You will never receive a confusing or unexpected call - we keep communication straightforward and honest.
“Will nursery disrupt our sleep routine?”
We follow the routine you already have at home. Tell us when your child usually naps, how they like to go off and how long they tend to sleep, and we keep to it as closely as the day allows. We provide and wash bedding here with non-bio powder.
“How will I know how the day is going?”
We send regular updates so you can see how your child's day has been: how they slept, what they ate, their activities, and how they were feeling. In the first few weeks we'll speak to you daily to let you know how they are settling in.
Trust and safety
What stands behind the freedom children have here
Choosing a nursery is mostly about trust. These are the things we think every family should be able to rely on at The Manor House Nursery.
Safe to explore, with adults close by
Children explore alongside staff, who support their play and learning. Through climbing and woodworking with real tools, they learn about risks and boundaries. Our aim is to help them understand what they can manage on their own, with our approach underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Open about how the day went
We share feedback with families at drop-off and collection, alongside a weekly news feed about what the children have been doing. You'll also receive regular Famly updates to hear how your child is getting on. Progress reviews every six months give us another opportunity to discuss their development.
A caring team with specialist support
We build close relationships with children and their families, guiding play and supporting independence. Our qualified SENDCo supports children with additional needs through individual plans and good relationships with external agencies. Parents also tell us they value how much our team cares for their children.
Clear fees and funded hours
Our fees page explains paid day rates, what they include and additional charges for funded sessions. Monthly invoices show funded hours at no cost, with charges for food and consumables listed separately where applicable. We also accept Tax-Free Childcare, and childcare vouchers if you already have them.
The best way to judge any of this is to see it for yourself on a normal weekday. You can book a tour online to see the nursery and meet the team.
Book a tourWhat parents say
- ★★★★★
“They seem to know our little girl well and she’s formed a nice bond with most of them already. We particularly like the family feel at the place and outdoor space… It’s huge! They are outside daily, rain or shine!”
Annie T.
- ★★★★★
“What truly sets this nursery apart is their exceptional provision for special educational needs (SEN)… My son has needed specialist support, the staff have not only liaised with all the external paediatric support teams but provided reassurance for us navigating through the challenges of the SEN system.”
Maria W.
- ★★★★★
“She can be shy and slow to connect to people but she has built such good relationships… We have also shared photos/stories from home to her profile and staff then talk about it with her… it really just feels like an extension of her family.”
Gemma K.
Come and visit us
Book a tour of The Manor House
Come and see the rooms and the garden for yourself, meet the team, and get a feel for how your child would spend their day with us.