Little Beans Garland was designed with a specific vision by the two owners with learning and the environment at the very heart of their project - Little Beans Garland. Every inch designed and set out to maximise free flow and play opportunities for all our Little Beans.
Little Beans Garland is situated in a purpose built building that offers a large, spacious room with high ceilings that has been transformed in true Little Beans style to promote high quality learning opportunities in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. Little Beans Garland is an inspiring environment with a clever combination of spaces interconnected and offering the very best resources, role play areas, a library, arts and crafts, messy play, sensory play, relaxation, dance/yoga area, maths corner and plenty of floor space for day to day activities allowing our little beans to explore learn and grow. This great space is all covered with our vibrant, signature candy-striped flooring that is fun for little beans hygienic and gentle on their feet and hands during play and crawling.
A large section of our open space is given exclusively to our baby beans who can share the fun and action of the larger beans whilst enjoying their own age specific activities and focus within their area. Our baby beans have their own sleep room which contains 9 cots with designated blankets and cot sheets and is a calm tranquil area for baby sleep times. We can accommodate up to 9 babies only in this area and in this way our babies enjoy individual care and attention. We then have space for up to 49 little beans aged 2 -5 years old. We also offer wrap around care for Longfleet School providing a breakfast club and drop to school and then a pick up and tea/play time after school.
We are extremely fortunate to have a large commercial kitchen where we have our very own Little Beans cook, Laura, who cooks hot meals and snacks for both our Little Beans’ sites. The nursery is filled with the aroma of home cooked cuisine and our Little Beans can watch their food being prepared and cooked all day long as well as take part in weekly cooking lessons.
At Garland Road, our babies and older beans spend mealtimes sat all together; enjoying, sharing, socialising and learning with one another during this vital part of the daily routine. Mealtimes are an extremely important part of our Little Beans routine and being a great opportunity to extend communication and language skills with our team. Just as much as family mealtimes at home are important, we can easily see the benefits of regular mealtimes spent with their friends both on a social and emotional development levels as well as improving fine motor skills. Our Little Beans team are on hand to help and support the Little Beans to develop these skills and to help our Little Beans to grow more independent.
Our outdoor area has a separate space for babies which is laid with artificial grass to allow babies to crawl and explore age specific play equipment all year round. They have their own access gate too for drop off and pick-ups to make this time easier for our parents. The older Little Beans also have a great outdoor space that is laid with artificial grass and which is well equipped within a secure fenced area surrounding the nursery. We have the very best resources inside and out that enables us to have an extensive range of continuous provision covering all areas of the curriculum in a fun bright environment. We use free flow daily all year round.
We do breakfast and after school clubs for St Mary's and Longfleet Primary School every day!
All members of the team at Little Beans are committed to undertaking ongoing development and training. We regularly attend courses to keep improving and hold regular team meetings to share information and provide feedback on any courses that we attend.
Emma - Manager (Level 5 Early Years Foundation Degree) ON MATERNITY LEAVE
I am the Manager of Little Beans Garland, I have over 10 years experience working with children and families in a range of settings, from charities to academies and children centres. I have experience of being a SENCO and Safeguarding Officer and hold a Level 5 Foundation degree in Early Years.I believe all children should have the same start in life and be able to flourish as individuals. At Little Beans we create an enabling environment with caring and skilled staff to ensure all children reach their full potential. My role as Manager is to ensure all children at Little Beans make progress through positive interactions and play based learning and activities, whilst ensuring all children are safe and building upon their personal, social and emotional development.
Qualification: Level 5 foundation degree in Early Years
Amy- Acting Manager (Level 6 Early Years - BA Hons Degree in Early Childhood Education)
I am the acting manager of Little Beans and have been working in childcare for over 10 years in different roles and settings. I have lots of experience caring for children and helping them to achieve their own goals and aspirations. I am a firm believer that children learn best through their play, their experiences, their interactions and by having a go! I have achieved my first class honours degree during my career, and am the designated safeguarding lead for Little Beans. My passion is to ensure children have every opportunity to reach their full potential, and enjoy each and every minute they spend in the care of Little Beans. I have led teams throughout my career, and work hard with the staff at Little Beans to promote the best possible outcomes for all our Little Beans.
Qualification: Level 6 in Early Years - BA Honours degree in Early Childhood Education
Laura - Deputy Manager (Level 6 Early Years - BA (Honours) Degree in Early Childhood Education)
I have worked in childcare for the last ten years and have enjoyed achieving my BA Honours degree. I am looking forward to this new role and getting involved in Little Beans and helping children to learn, grow and develop to their full potential. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family on the beach, going paddleboarding and playing board games with my younger siblings.
Qualifications: Level 6 Early Years - BA (Honours) Degree Early Childhood Education
Samuel - Room Leader Preschool - 3 and 4's room (Level 3 Years)
I have a passion for working with children, to share with them the joy that can be found in the world around us. I take pride in my high standard of work, encouraging and ensuring all children can grow and to give them a safe environment in which to do so. My experiences of working with children are diverse and vary greatly; from a one-to-one role, to working with larger groups of children with varying needs. Currently training on Senco. Level 3 safeguarding
Qualification: NVQ Level 3 diploma in childcare
Natalie - Preschool Practitioner - 3 and 4's room (Level 3 Early Years) ON MATERNITY LEAVE
I come from a big family and have always loved being around children. I am a very creative individual and enjoy doing arts and crafts activities. I also very much enjoy exercising. I am currently focusing on my childcare apprenticeship at Little Beans and am looking forward to working towards my NVQ Level 3 qualification.
Qualification: Level 3 in childcare
Lizzie - Preschool Practitioner - 3 and 4's room (Level 3 Years)
I have had a passion for working with children ever since doing my work experience at a nursery when I was 16. I love all the Little Beans watching them learn and grow. I believe every child can thrive when given the right opportunities and support. In my spare time I love to be creative, another passion of mine is yoga.
Qualification: NVQ Level 3 diploma in childcare
Shawna - Preschool practitioner - 3 and 4's room (Level 2 working towards Level 3 Early Years)
After looking after my nieces and nephews I realised that working with children was the career path I wanted to take. Watching the children grow, seeing their personalities come to life and the children being unique in their own little ways really brings me joy. I really enjoy working at Little Beans and am excited for my career ahead.
Qualifications: Level 2 Early years
Jasmine - Preschool Practitioner: 3 and 4’s Room (Apprentice, working towards Level 2 Early Years)
Growing up with a big family and looking after younger children I realised I wanted to work with children. Watching their personalities form, watching them grow and develop was something I really loved engaging with. I really enjoy working at Little Beans, it’s helping me achieve everything I have wanted from a little kid and gives me the best opportunities for completing my level 2.
Qualifications: Early years Apprentice
Annabelle - 2 year old's Room Leader (Level 3 in childcare)
I have always had children around me, being the eldest of four. I have always found myself busy entertaining and looking after children. There is never a boring day with children, with each being individually interesting and unique, it is hard to not love being around them. I love working here at Little Beans with an amazing team and great children.
Qualification: NVQ level 3 in childcare
Tash - 2 year old's room practitioner and baby room relief support (Level 3 Early Years)
From a young age I've always wanted to be able to work with children and be a part of their early years experience.I love helping children learn and grow in many different ways and being able to support them and have a positive, happy and healthy impact on them through their first few years of development.
Qualifications: Level 3 Early years
Ebony - 2 year old's room Apprentice (working towards Level 3 Early Years)
I have always had a strong rapport with children so working at Little Beans offers the most natural progression and opportunity to further my career. I feel that working with children is an honour and it gives me great satisfaction that I can be a part of their development and guiding them through their first steps into the big wide world.
Qualification: Working towards NVQ Level 3 diploma in childcare
Rosie - 2 year old's room Apprentice (working towards Level 3 Early Years)
For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to work along side children in some way. Whether this is caring for them, teaching them or even just listening to the amusing yet intriguing stories they tell! Seeing them flourish and develop into the little individuals they are becoming is something I thrive off and would love to see my future involving. I feel as though a child’s imagination is like no other and I am so privileged to be giving this opportunity to start my childcare career with Little Beans.
Qualification: Working towards NVQ Level 3 diploma in childcare
Chanelle - Baby Room Leader (Level 3 Early Years)
I have been working at Little Beans for over 3 years now and whilst being here I have gained my Level 2 and 3 in Childcare. I have always wanted to work in the baby room and I absolutely love everything about it! I enjoy being a part of their early years and watching them grow and flourish!
Qualification: Level 3 in childcare - Early Years
Maria - Baby Room Practitioner and Starting Out Practitioner and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)(Level 3 Early Years & Level 3 Therapeutic Skills)
Working from home as a childminder and foster carer, I have gained over 25 years in childcare. I have 5 children and 7 grandchildren to add to my experience and inspriration. I am passionate about children learning through play and their experiences through those especially important early years. My motto in life is "to inspire to be inspired"." I love being a part of Little Beans as where else can I play all day. I am looking forward to working with the Little Beans and their families knowing that every day I learn something new and go on imaginary adventures supporting the children to reach their full potential in an inspirational environment.
Qualifications: Level 3 in children's education & Level 3 Therapeutic Skills
Natasha - Baby Room practitioner (Level 2 Early Years working towards Level 3)
I have a large family with many young children which helped me realise childcare is the path for me. Nursery is such an important time of learning and exploring for children and I really enjoy working with the Little Beans children helping them throughout their nursery journey.
Qualifications: Working towards Level 3 in early years childcare
Emily - Baby Room apprentice (working towards Level 3 Early Years)
From an early age I have wanted to work with children, since always looking after my siblings. i believe a child's first years are particularly important to allow them to learn and show their personalities. Making children laugh and seeing them have fun, always makes me incredibly happy. There is never a dull day working with children and I am looking forward to learning new skills to help increase their knowledge! I am happy to be starting my adventure with Little Beans!
Qualification: Working towards Level 3 Early years
Charlotte - Baby Room apprentice (working towards Level 3 Early Years)
“After babysitting for a few years, I realised working with children was the career path I wanted to take. Watching them grow and develop their own personalities brings me happiness. I really enjoy working at Little Beans and i am really excited about the journey ahead!”
Qualification: Working towards Level 3 Early years
Irene - Office Administrator
I have worked in Administration roles for the last 23 years and I have joined Little Beans as Office Adminstrator. I love working in this environment with the children. I enjoy spending time with my ever-growing familty - two children and six grandchildren! In my spare time I play netball weekly. I also enjoy eating out and visiting new countries on holidays.
The Baby Beans have been exploring animal prints and skins! 🐅🦓
The babies enjoyed creating their own animal print collages using tissue paper, card and stickers. The babies enjoyed exploring each one, closely exploring the patterns as we spoke about the animals the print matches. The Baby Beans were especially liked the animal stickers, particularly fascinated by the feeling of the sticky back! 😃
The Baby Beans were all so happy with the pictures they produced, excited to take them home to show their mummies and daddies! ⭐
😊EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH😊`
A huge congratulations to Chanelle for winning March's employee of the month. Chanelle was nominated by the team because:
⭐She runs the room smoothly, putting the babies needs first, and ensures clear handovers between the team.
⭐She always goes above and beyond, takes on new challenges, and gives everything a try.
⭐For running such a smooth, tidy and organised room where all the babies are happy.
⭐For being so supportive, an absolute rock when management are not in.
⭐For going above and beyond to support the families of Little Beans.
A HUGE well done to Chanelle - very well deserved! 💚🧡
Well done 👏 you always made Jude feel so welcomed and safe with you and us also as parents! Xx
Great job Chanelle
You're amazing Chanelle
👏 Well deserved xxx
Well done Chanelle 🤍
Well deserved!!!
Wwll deserved , well done 👏
That's awesome! Congratulations!