Northumbria University Nursery

The Nursery consists of three main playrooms. The Baby, Toddler and Pre-school rooms accommodate children from birth to 4+ years. All three rooms benefit from large windows allowing maximum natural light into the rooms and glass doors allowing access to the garden. There is a large central hall where the children eat their meals, keep their coats and belongings and which also works as a multi-purpose area which can be used for parent evenings, parties, or yoga sessions.

We have an ecologically aware ethos which we have developed through the years continues to develop at the new facility – so in addition to instilling green virtues in the children’s work and play, we sought to ensure that the building’s design mirrors our ‘green’ aspirations. Features include plumbed-in drinking fountains,  sensor and dimmer light technologies to enhance natural light use and reduce unnecessary energy use. In addition the roof is sedum-planted to encourage wildlife, while photovoltaic cells help reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

The wall colours have been carefully chosen for their calming influences and the kitchen and nappy change areas within the playrooms are all designed so that the carers can see and be seen even when they are off the main play areas. The Nursery also has its own main kitchen and chef, and meals are cooked fresh on the premises evry day.

Routines, resources and teaching methods are adapted to meet the diverse ways children develop and learn, providing space and schedules which children are familiar with and which build on their previous experiences.