Our Nursery
My name is Emma and I am the owner of Cressex Day Nursery. I have worked in childcare since 1996 (I have been at Cressex since 2011) and along with my highly qualified staffing team, we strive to make the first five years of your child’s life the best we can.
We aim to provide young children with the best possible care outside of their family. My dedicated staff teach new skills and build on children’s life experiences all through play-based activities, we challenge their development and foster their curiosity.
Each of the four rooms at Cressex are designed to provide each age range with everything for their needs. Every room has access to their own garden along with opportunities to play in our big playground. Our youngest members of the nursery (Ducklings) have a separate sleep room and each rooms has an area for their meal times or messy activities.
If you are interested in a place for your child, please give us a call or drop us an email. We will be happy to answer any questions and book you in for a show round.
Meet The Team
Emma – Nursery Owner
Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB). Member of the Team Since 2011
Claire - Nursery Manager
L6 Early Childhood Studies. Member of the Team Since 1996
Emily - Head of Ducklings
L4 Advanced Nursery Practitioner. Member of the Team Since 2016
Sharon - Head of Cubs
L4 Advanced Nursery Practitioner. Member of the Team Since 2014
Carley - Head of Piglets
L4 Advanced Nursery Practitioner. Member of the Team since 2018
Pinky – Head of Cygnets / Deputy Manager
L4 Advanced Nursery Practitioner. Advanced SENCO. Member of the Team Since 2010
Rachael – Head of Cygnets / Deputy Manager
L4 Advanced Nursery Practitioner. Transition Lead. Member of the Team Since 2009
Our Rooms
Ducklings (1-2 Year Olds)
Ducklings are the youngest members of our nursery family, and we recognise that every child develops at their own pace. To help children feel safe, secure, and settled, we work closely with parents to follow each child’s individual routine, gradually supporting them as they naturally adapt to nursery life.
Our nurturing environment is designed around the needs of young children, with activities planned at their level and centred around sensory exploration, discovery, and play. Through music, stories, messy play, and hands-on experiences, children are encouraged to develop their confidence, curiosity, and early communication skills.
We also work closely with families through important developmental milestones, including weaning, sleep routines, and growing independence, ensuring each child receives the care and support they need as they learn, grow, and thrive.
Cubs (1st Toddlers)
The Cubs room is where growing independence and curiosity really begin to flourish. Children are encouraged to explore new experiences, develop friendships, and build confidence through a wide range of engaging play-based activities.
Our experienced team carefully plans activities around the Prime Areas of the EYFS, supporting communication and language, physical development, and personal, social, and emotional growth. From creative play and sensory exploration to early mark making and role play, children are given opportunities to learn through hands-on experiences in a fun and stimulating environment.
Piglets (2nd Toddlers)
Children usually move into Piglets around their second birthday, where they continue to build independence, confidence, and social skills. At this stage, children are becoming increasingly curious about the world around them, and our environment is designed to encourage exploration, problem solving, and imaginative play.
Activities are planned around each child’s interests and next steps in development, supporting progress across all seven areas of the EYFS. Children are encouraged to make choices, develop friendships, and build important self-help skills as they prepare for their transition to pre-school.
Cygnets (Pre-school)
The Cygnets room prepares children for the exciting transition to school by encouraging independence, confidence, and a love of learning. Through a balance of structured activities and child-led play, children develop the social, emotional, and practical skills needed for their next stage of education.
Learning opportunities are tailored to each child’s interests and stage of development, with a strong focus on communication, early literacy and maths, creativity, and problem solving. Children enjoy access to both indoor and outdoor learning environments, including the classroom, pottering garden, and main garden, giving them opportunities to explore, investigate, and learn through play every day.
Throughout their time in Cygnets, we work closely with parents to celebrate achievements, support next steps, and help every child feel confident and ready for school.
Our outdoor space
Children love spending time outdoors, benefiting from fresh air, open space, and opportunities to explore the natural environment. All children have access to the large outdoor play area at the front of the nursery, while each room also enjoys its own secure and well-equipped outdoor space tailored to different ages and stages of development.
Our outdoor areas provide opportunities for both free play and planned activities, encouraging children to explore, experiment, think creatively, develop physical skills, and build confidence through play. Whether working together with friends, discovering new interests, or simply enjoying being active outdoors, children are able to learn and thrive in a safe and stimulating environment.
What Makes Us Special?
At Cressex, we are very lucky to have an amazing staff team who together bring a range of experience, age and cultural diversity to the setting.
In addition to our highly qualified staff, we also offer a range of extra-curricular activities. Here is a run-down of what we offer.
Sing and Sign
Our youngest members of the nursery family (Ducklings, Cubs and Piglets ) have dedicated Sing and Sign lessons every week to support early language development. All our staff are Sing and Sign trained and we are proud to be a Sing and Sign affiliated nursery.
Playball
Once a week our Piglets and Cygnet children have Playball lessons. The aim of Playball is to introduce young children to constructive and enjoyable sport participation through age-appropriate activities. Our Coach follows a programme of activities in the playground for the children to take part in in small groups alongside our staff.
Tennis Lessons
We are lucky to be next door to the Bucks Indoor Tennis Centre and our Cygnet children access weekly lessons. Our Cygnets follow the programme that the Centre offers its 3-5year old members and during these sessions they aim to improve balance, agility and co -ordination. Early tennis skills are taught with a racket and balloon to aid building confidence on the court.
Catherine Court
Back in 2017 Channel 4 launched a programme titled Old Peoples Home for a 4-year-old. This was set up as a social experiment to see how the two age ranges responded to each other.
Each week a small group of our children walk to the Catherine Court Care Home with Helen and another member of staff. They start the day off by joining the residents for a snack and a drink, followed by a variety of planned activities. These can range from art and craft to movement to music. We play games like snap and plant bulbs to grow in the resident’s garden. If our older friends aren’t able to come to the common room that day, we will often walk to them and sing some songs together.
As part of our partnership, we invite our older friends to attend our Christmas show and Leavers party and we in turn have been to their sports day.