Supporting Families, Growing Together
SPLAT was founded by a working mother of four with a vision; to create a high-quality, all-in-one nursery and forest school that families could truly trust. With experience across the childcare sector, seeing both inspiring practice and less desirable provision, she set out to build something different: a place where children are cared for with nothing less than the standard she would expect for her own.
Our aim is simple, for parents to leave each day with peace of mind, knowing their most precious little one is safe, thriving, and coming home ready for a bath, a cuddle, and a good night’s sleep. We are committed to shaping practitioners who share this vision , professionals who believe in preparing children for the future, not the past and understand your needs as a parent.
The world is ever-evolving, and so too are the needs of families. At SPLAT, we adapt with the times while always keeping children at the heart of what we do. You are your child’s primary caregiver, their secure attachment and greatest influence, and while we cannot replace that, we can be the next best thing: a trusted partner, here to nurture, guide, and support your child every step of the way.
A Community That Grows With You
At SPLAT, we are here for families from the moment you enrol to graduation and beyond. Many of our children go on to attend our holiday clubs, and some even return years later to join our team, a testament to the strong community we have built together.
All families enjoy free access to our Baby & Toddler Group, a gentle way to settle into the SPLAT community before your child officially starts nursery. (See our Baby & Toddler Group page for more details.)
We host three Open Days each year, in Spring (April), Summer (August), and Winter (December). These special events are opportunities to meet the team, explore your child’s space, and connect with both current and past families. We warmly welcome grandparents too, because the more familiar faces your child sees, the more secure and confident they feel.
To keep communication open and supportive, we encourage families to join us for review meetings three times a year, with the option to book 1:1 sessions with your key worker or manager whenever needed. We also offer parent training sessions on important and trending topics such as safeguarding, online safety, nutrition, and positive behaviour management, helping you feel confident, informed, and supported at every stage.
Partnership In Practice
We operate a Key Person system, a statutory requirement that ensures every child has one consistent adult who builds a strong, nurturing bond with them. This helps your child feel safe, seen, and secure, while allowing us to truly personalise their learning and development. Your child’s key worker will be your main point of contact for daily updates, development feedback, and emotional support.
Our team welcomes regular feedback from families, whether that’s through daily chats, questionnaires, or Famly app messages. The more you share with us, the more we can tailor your child’s experience.
Stay Connected
You’ll have access to our Famly app, where we share everything from photos and milestones to meals, sleep updates, nappies, moods and more. Our on-site chef uploads meal details daily, including ingredients and nutritional information. We also provide downloadable menu cards to inspire meals at home.
We use WhatsApp channels to connect parents and keep the community thriving. Please follow our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook, and sign up to our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop with important updates and celebrations.
We also hold regular parent consultations ahead of each Open Day. These meetings give you a chance to share your thoughts, ask questions, and help shape how we deliver care and education to your child. Your voice matters, and your feedback plays a key role in how we continue to grow and improve as a nursery.
Respectful Relations
At SPLAT, we occasionally have to make tough decisions in line with our policies and always with the best interests of the child at heart. We deeply value and respect our families, and we kindly ask that this respect is reciprocated. We are all human, and everyone here is doing their best.
We ask all families to treat our team with kindness and respect. Our practitioners work incredibly hard and deserve to feel safe and valued at all times. For this reason, we operate a zero-tolerance policy on abusive behaviour towards staff.
For the safety of everyone on site, there is also a strict 5mph speed limit. Failure to adhere may result in removal from the ANPR gate system at Henlow Bridge Lakes, which could affect access during drop-off and pick-up.
Getting Started
Once your booking has been secured and your enrolment completed, you will receive your enrolment papers. These ask for all the important details about you and your child, helping us get to know you both so we can best support your family’s needs.
We offer three settling sessions to help your child transition with confidence: the first with you present, followed by two without you, with the time increasing each day. These sessions take place in the days leading up to your child’s start date. If your start date isn’t immediate, we encourage you to join our Open Days and stay in touch with the team until your child begins.
On their first day, your child will receive a SPLAT bag, t-shirt, and hat. We ask that this bag is used exclusively for spare clothes, with bottles placed in a separate bottle bag. In colder months, a labelled non-plastic bag may also be provided for wellies and outdoor wear. All clothing must be clearly labelled and suitable for active, messy play. Please note, we cannot take responsibility for wear and tear during learning activities. Play Clothes, not best clothes!
Indoor shoes are optional for comfort. We kindly ask that toys from home are not brought in (we have plenty to explore) and that Show & Tell items are kept small enough to fit safely inside your child’s SPLAT bag.
It is essential that all families review our policies and procedures, which form part of your contractual agreement with us. These carefully considered documents reflect how we operate at SPLAT and act as our promise to you, ensuring consistency, transparency, and shared understanding from the very beginning of your journey with us.
Looking Ahead
A brand-new SPLAT nursery is set to open in 2026/7, providing more spaces and opportunities for children and families.
Stay posted, exciting things are ahead!