Welcome to Mara Nursery and Event Space!
Our beautiful, brand new, purpose-built building is light, airy and inviting with a wraparound garden for your child to enjoy.
We are located just off Whetstone High Road; we have ample parking, but we are also a short walk from Totteridge and Whetstone tube station and are well served by various bus routes.
How It Works
Mara Nursery is a place with Children at the heart, inspired by the best memories of childhood everyone has. Play together, learn through risks and achieve growth.
Our highly trained, nurturing and qualified staff are constantly developing and innovating as a team. Staff knowledge and training is of paramount importance and the Nursery is committed to an ongoing professional staff development programme to ensure that we are continually up to date. All our staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid, Child Protection and Food Hygiene. So rest assured, when your child begins their journey at Mara Nursery, they are in a home from home.
All of our staff are paediatric first aid trained
Our Nursery Fees
Under 3 years
£108 per day (8am - 6pm)
Over 3 years
£98 per day (8am - 6pm)
Our fees include: All meals, snacks, milk and first formula milks wipes and nappies up to Size 6.
Please note that our fees for Under 3's are slightly more expensive as we need a higher staff to child ratio
Set hours must be agreed in advanced and booked via our FAMLY app that you will be sent a link to. You will receive an invoice at the end of each month and your invoice must be paid by the 5th of each month or you may be subject to a late fee charge. Your monthly bill is calculated on your weekly set hours, multiplied by 52 and divided by 12.
Available Discounts
NHS Staff - 10% off fees
Full time space - 5% off fees
Sibling discount - 6% off fees for eldest sibling
Meet The Team
Click HereHow to book
You can book using our Famly App. This app keeps parents in the loop and saves staff hours every day. With personal news feeds, care updates, invoices, payment processing, messaging, registration and so much more, Famly helps staff say goodbye to paperwork and hello to more time with the children.
Funding
Your child may be eligible to receive 15 or 30 hours of free government funded childcare.
Tax free childcare
Tax free childcare is a method of paying childcare costs (including your nursery invoice) which provides a significant saving each month. It can be used alongside both 15 and 30 hours of funding.
The eligibility criteria closely follows that of 30 hours funding. However, unlike 30 hours funding, it is available to all nursery age children. Full details of eligibility can be found here
We also offer a 10% discount to all NHS Staff
Workplace Nursery Incentive
We are excited to inform you about our partnership with 'Enjoy Benefits'. If you are working for yourself, are able to pay yourself through PAYE & use the co working hub as your workplace, then you could save up to £2700 per annum by using this scheme. Please take a look at this link for more information and if you need to call Enjoy Benefits, they can take you through the registration process which is very simple. This is a completely free benefit. Our nursery also benefits as we get an allowance from this scheme to spend on equipment.
Mara Nursery proudly support Sebby’s Corner
Our Nursery
Example of Curriculum
At Mara Nursery we follow the Curiosity Approach and Planning in the Moment.
Following is a brief description of each.
If you would like more information, please contact us by email: [email protected].
A Baseline assessment is completed with the parent after the child’s initial six weeks in the nursery. This entails a zoom meeting between the parent and the child’s key person.
Planning: children are planned for individually. Each child is ‘focused’ on regularly. Parents are invited to help us to decide on the child’s next steps of learning which are facilitated during the two-week focus period.
We carry out three types of observations which help us to support the focus child’s learning and development.
- Objective led planning - when we work with the child we will have the identified next step in mind. We follow the child’s interest to support their learning.
- Planning in the moment – this is when we notice an opportunity to support the child’s learning during their play, this may or may not be linked to their next step.
- Spontaneous observations – we notice something the child is doing that we wish to record but we do not feel it appropriate or necessary to intervene.
Information including observations and photographs are entered onto a Nursery software programme called Famly which parents have access to. Parents can also add their own photos and information.
Running alongside the work we do with the Focus Children we have pre-planned Continuous Provision. Each age group (room) has a personalised Continuous Provision plan. The Continuous Provision plan offers age-appropriate ideas for activities in selected areas of learning to ensure we are offering the children a broad, rich curriculum full of exciting provocations to play and learn.
Workshop style opportunities run alongside to facilitate independent learning. Continuous Provision is on a 6-weekly cycle, it is flexible and adapted to meet children’s needs and interests.
The Curiosity Approach
Curiosity is the very foundation of learning. It is what drives children in the early years to explore, do, and think for themselves. It is the key to fostering that curiosity lies in the way you set out your environment.
In a Curiosity Approach setting, you won’t find brightly coloured walls and hundreds of shiny plastic toys. Instead, you will see wooden materials, natural resources, and neutral backgrounds that allow the colour to shine. Of course, stimulation is key to developing little brains and building those connections that help them learn. But bright, busy and plastic provisions are not doing it in the right way. Plastic all smells the same and feels the same. On the other hand, if you are recycling and sourcing open-ended resources and natural materials you are bringing different elements, textures, feels and smells. A sense of curiosity and wonder will come with it.
Extra Curricular Activities
Spring / Summer Menu
| Week 1 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BREAKFAST Planned to provide 20% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water 8.15am to 8.45am |
Melon slices and toast | Scrambled eggs on toast | Carrot and Cucumber sticks with natural yoghurt | Eggy bread | Veggie sticks with houmous |
| MID MORNING ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 9.30am |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
| LUNCH (11.15am) Planned to provide 30% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water only |
Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese | Baked fish, with new potatoes, broccoli, and carrots (v) Baked Tofu |
Cheesy broccoli, pea and mixed bean pasta bake | Lemon & herb chicken, Tray baked Sweet potatoes & veg (v) Quorn chicken |
Fish bites, homemade wedges & mixed beans (v) Lentil/veg bites |
| MID AFTERNOON ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 2.30pm |
Rice cakes with cream cheese | Flatbread with cannellini beans and lemon dip | Cheese and tomato muffins | Whole meal pitta fingers, sliced egg and home made dip | Oat Flapjacks |
| LIGHT TEA (4.15pm) Drinks: Water only |
Beef & Chicken and or/tomato soup with home made bread (v) Tomato soup |
Spinach & cottage/ cream cheese pinwheels, with side salad (v) Pea and sweetcorn fritters |
Tuna & sweetcorn rice and mixed vegetables | Chickpea & vegetable curry with couscous | Garden picnic: Summery chickpea and rainbow penne pasta salad |
| Week 1 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday |
|---|---|---|---|
| BREAKFAST Planned to provide 20% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water 8.15am to 8.45am |
Melon slices and toast | Scrambled eggs on toast | Carrot and Cucumber sticks with natural yoghurt |
| MID MORNING ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 9.30am |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
| LUNCH (11.30 or 12) Planned to provide 30% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water only |
Lentil Spaghetti Bolognese | Baked fish, with new potatoes, broccoli, and carrots (v) Baked Tofu |
Cheesy broccoli, pea and mixed bean pasta bake |
| MID AFTERNOON ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 2.30pm |
Rice cakes with cream cheese | Flatbread with cannellini beans and lemon dip | Cheese and tomato muffins |
| LIGHT TEA (4.15 & 4.30) Drinks: Water only |
Beef & Chicken and or/tomato soup with home made bread (v) Tomato soup |
Spinach & cottage/ cream cheese pinwheels, with side salad (v) Pea and sweetcorn fritters |
Tuna & sweetcorn rice and mixed vegetables |
| Week 1 | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|
| BREAKFAST Planned to provide 20% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water 8.15am to 8.45am |
Eggy bread | Veggie sticks with houmous |
| MID MORNING ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 9.30am |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
| LUNCH (11.15am) Planned to provide 30% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water only |
Lemon & herb chicken, Tray baked Sweet potatoes & veg (v) Quorn chicken |
Fish bites, homemade wedges & mixed beans (v) Lentil/veg bites |
| MID AFTERNOON ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 2.30pm |
Whole meal pitta fingers, sliced egg and home made dip | Oat Flapjacks |
| LIGHT TEA (4.15pm) Drinks: Water only |
Chickpea & vegetable curry with couscous | Garden picnic: Summery chickpea and rainbow penne pasta salad |
| Week 2 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BREAKFAST Planned to provide 20% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water 8.15am to 8.45am |
Scrambled eggs on toast | Yoghurt and fruit smoothies | French toast fingers | Cheese and tomato muffins | Cheese toastie squares |
| MID MORNING ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 9.30am |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
| LUNCH (11.15am) Planned to provide 30% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water only |
Spinach & paneer curry with rice | Chicken & veg stir fry with noodles (v) Veggie tofu Stir Fry |
Salmon fishcakes, with mixed veg tray bake (v) Broccoli, lentil and potato cakes |
Vegetable Lasagne with Cheese (Leek, Zucchini, Carrot, Onion, Lentil and Tomato) | Three bean chilli and bulgur wheat |
| MID AFTERNOON ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 2.30pm |
Cucumber, pepper sticks with houmous | Apple and raisin oatbars | Veg sticks natural yoghurt & tzatziki | Rice cakes with cream cheese | Veggie sticks with tomato salsa dip |
| LIGHT TEA (4.15 & 4.30) Drinks: Water only |
Jacket potatoes with tuna and sweetcorn | Vegetable rice with beef meatballs (v) Mixed veg egg fried rice |
Chicken Caesar wraps, side salad (v) Houmous and salad Wraps |
Bagels with scrambled egg with diced mixed peppers | Garden picnic: Baked baguette tomato and cheese pizza slices and mixed salad |
| Snack offered at 9:30am: berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) or natural yoghurt with milk or water | |||
| Week 2 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday |
|---|---|---|---|
| BREAKFAST Planned to provide 20% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water 8.15am to 8.45am |
Scrambled eggs on toast | Yoghurt and fruit smoothies | French toast fingers |
| MID MORNING ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 9.30am |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
| LUNCH (11.30 or 12) Planned to provide 30% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water only |
Spinach & paneer curry with rice | Chicken & veg stir fry with noodles (v) Veggie tofu Stir Fry |
Salmon fishcakes, with mixed veg tray bake (v) Broccoli, lentil and potato cakes |
| MID AFTERNOON ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 2.30pm |
Cucumber, pepper sticks with houmous | Apple and raisin oatbars | Veg sticks natural yoghurt & tzatziki |
| LIGHT TEA (4.15pm) Drinks: Water only |
Jacket potatoes with tuna and sweetcorn | Vegetable rice with beef meatballs (v) Mixed veg egg fried rice |
Chicken Caesar wraps, side salad (v) Houmous and salad Wraps |
| Snack offered at 9:30am: berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) or natural yoghurt with milk or water | |||
| Week 2 | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BREAKFAST Planned to provide 20% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water 8.15am to 8.45am |
Cheese and tomato muffins | Cheese toastie squares | |
| MID MORNING ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 9.30am |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
Fresh seasonal fruit Milk or Water |
|
| LUNCH (11.15am) Planned to provide 30% of a child’s nutritional requirements Drinks: Water only |
Vegetable Lasagne with Cheese (Leek, Zucchini, Carrot, Onion, Lentil and Tomato) | Three bean chilli and bulgur wheat | |
| MID AFTERNOON ROLLING SNACK Planned to provide 10% of a child’s nutritional requirements 2.30pm |
Rice cakes with cream cheese | Veggie sticks with tomato salsa dip | |
| LIGHT TEA (4.15pm) Drinks: Water only |
Bagels with scrambled egg with diced mixed peppers | Garden picnic: Baked baguette tomato and cheese pizza slices and mixed salad | |
*Children are served breakfast between 8 - 8.45am selection of cereals and toast or fresh berries Pumpkins Room children may have more frequent meal options due to their age and stage of development, alongside formulae or milk. All children are provided with access to fresh jugs of water every day with beakers to help themselves. Pumpkins have beakers. All other children drink from a cup/china mug.
Routines during the day
Our daily routines for the younger children are split into morning and afternoon sessions.
The morning sessions run from 8am until 12.30pm. The afternoon sessions run from 1.30pm until 6pm.
Older children follow "The Curiosity Approach" with Prime areas incorporated throughout the whole day: personal, social and emotional development, physical development and communication and language.
Trips and visits
Trips from the
nursery are pre-planned and we aim to give parents at least a
weeks’ notice. The ratio of children to staff is 2:1 regardless of
age so children tend to go for trips in smaller groups.
We welcome any suggestions for local trips and visits. Please request our trips and visits policy from the office.
Some examples of trips that we conduct include; going to the post office, going to the local shops, a trip to the park or to Brook Farm Open Space. All trips must be risk assessed prior to the children leaving the nursery. Staff are required to complete an observation on the trip to show the educational significance of their trip and why it was carried out.
Virtual tour
