Our Daily Routine

We follow a flexible daily routine that provides structure while allowing for spontaneous learning opportunities and individual child-led activities.

Morning Activities

8:00 AM - Welcome & Free Play

Children arrive at the nursery and engage in free play activities of their choice, with warm greetings from their key worker.

9:15 AM - Circle Time

Children gather for a group session with songs, stories, and discussions about the day ahead and our learning theme.

10:00 AM - Snack Time

A healthy mid-morning snack with fresh fruit, vegetables, and water, encouraging independence and social skills.

10:30 AM - Outdoor Play

Children enjoy our garden area with opportunities for physical activity, nature exploration, and fresh air.

Afternoon Activities

12:00 PM - Lunch Time

A nutritious hot lunch served family-style, promoting healthy eating habits, conversation, and table manners.

1:00 PM - Rest Time

Quiet time for naps or gentle activities, respecting each child's individual rest requirements.

2:30 PM - Focus Activities

Age-appropriate learning activities around our weekly theme, including art, science experiments, and sensory play.

4:00 PM - Storytime & Home Time

A calm conclusion to the day with stories, followed by collection time with personalized feedback for parents.

Learning Through Play

At Mulberry Bush Mersea Day Nursery, we believe that children learn best through play. Our environment is set up to encourage exploration, creativity, and discovery through a variety of play experiences:

Construction Play

Creative Arts

Story Corners

Sensory Exploration

Our Environment & Facilities

We provide purpose-designed spaces that support children's learning, wellbeing, and development.

Baby Room

A calm, nurturing space for our youngest children with sensory experiences, cozy corners, and age-appropriate resources.

Toddler Room

An active environment for our curious toddlers with areas for physical play, creativity, and developing independence.

Preschool Room

A stimulating space for our older children with resources to support school readiness and more complex learning experiences.

Garden Area

A secure outdoor space with natural play elements, gardening areas, climbing equipment, and opportunities for outdoor learning.

Dining Area

A bright, clean space where children enjoy nutritious meals and develop social skills and healthy eating habits.

Quiet Room

A peaceful retreat for rest time, one-to-one moments, and calming activities when children need a break from busy play.

Meals & Snacks

We provide nutritious, balanced meals and snacks that fuel your child's growth, development, and learning throughout the day.

Nutritious Food Philosophy

At Mulberry Bush Mersea, we believe that healthy eating habits established in early childhood create a foundation for lifelong wellbeing. Our kitchen team prepares fresh, seasonal meals that children love to eat.

Freshly Prepared Meals

Our meals are prepared daily on-site using fresh ingredients, with a focus on balanced nutrition, variety, and appealing presentation.

Healthy Snack Options

We offer nutritious morning and afternoon snacks, typically including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains.

Special Dietary Requirements

We accommodate allergies, intolerances, cultural preferences, and other dietary requirements with alternatives that ensure all children receive appropriate nutrition.

Our Healthy Eating Policy

Our comprehensive healthy eating policy ensures that:

Menus are rotated on a 3-week cycle for variety
Sugar and salt intake is carefully monitored and limited
Children develop positive relationships with food
Mealtimes are social learning experiences
Parents are kept informed about food their child has eaten

Food as Part of Learning

Food is integrated into our curriculum through:

Growing our own vegetables and herbs in our garden
Cooking activities where children help prepare simple dishes
Exploring foods from different cultures and traditions
Learning about food sources and nutrition
Developing awareness of sustainable food practices

Outdoor Play & Learning

We believe outdoor experiences are essential for children's physical development, mental wellbeing, and connection to the natural world.

Our Outdoor Environment

At Mulberry Bush Mersea, we are fortunate to be situated on beautiful Mersea Island, surrounded by natural wonders that provide exceptional learning opportunities. Our outdoor areas are designed to inspire curiosity, adventure, and respect for nature.

Natural Play Zones

Our garden features natural materials, mud kitchens, log piles, and sensory planting areas that encourage exploration and imaginative play.

Beach & Coastal Exploration

Regular supervised visits to Mersea's beaches allow children to discover coastal habitats, collect shells, observe wildlife, and learn about tides and marine environments.

Island-Inspired Activities

Our location on Mersea Island provides unique opportunities for learning:

Learning about local fishing traditions
Seasonal nature walks and foraging
Insect and wildlife spotting

Growing salt-resistant plants
Weather watching and discussions
Learning about boats and water safety

Benefits of Outdoor Learning

Our outdoor curriculum supports development across all areas:

Improved physical health and coordination
Enhanced emotional wellbeing
Stimulated cognitive development

Developed social skills through group play
Inspired creativity and problem-solving
Fostered environmental awareness

Our Outdoor Weather Policy

We believe there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing! Children go outside every day in all but the most extreme weather conditions. We provide waterproof clothing and wellies, but ask parents to supply appropriate seasonal clothing to ensure children can comfortably enjoy outdoor learning year-round.

Parent Communication

We believe strong partnerships with parents are essential for children's development. We maintain open, regular, and meaningful communication with all our families.

Keeping You Connected

At Mulberry Bush Mersea, we understand how important it is for parents to stay informed about their child's experiences, development, and wellbeing while at nursery. We've implemented various communication channels to ensure you never miss a moment.

Blossom Parent App

Our secure Blossom app provides real-time updates, photos, videos, and observations of your child's day, learning journey documentation, and two-way messaging with staff.

Daily Verbal Feedback

Our staff provide personalized updates during drop-off and pick-up times, sharing highlights, achievements, and important information about your child's day.

Monthly Newsletters

Our monthly newsletters keep you informed about upcoming themes, events, celebrations, staff news, and important dates to remember. These are sent via email and available on the Blossom app.

Parent Evenings

We host formal parent evenings twice yearly to discuss your child's progress, development goals, and next steps. These provide dedicated time with your child's key worker without the rush of daily pick-ups.

Special Events & Workshops

Throughout the year, we invite parents to join us for special celebrations, educational workshops, and social events that strengthen our nursery community and support your parenting journey.

Our Communication Promise

We promise to be responsive, transparent, and proactive in our communications. Your feedback is always welcome and valued as we continuously seek to improve our services. Our doors (and inboxes!) are always open—if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's key worker or our management team.