
Roberts Centre Nursery

The Roberts Day Nursery is a safe and stimulating environment for children from birth to 5 years. We are open 51 weeks of the year from 8am to 6pm.
The Roberts Day Nursery is a warm and welcoming full-day care nursery, located in Fratton Community Centre. We care for up to 41 children, from birth to five years old, and we’re open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, for 51 weeks of the year.
We believe every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and supported. Our nursery is a caring space where children can learn, grow, and have fun. We value our children, their families, and our amazing staff who work hard to make each day special.
Our team follows a unique, child-led curriculum. This means we build our activities around what your child is interested in. We encourage curiosity, creativity, and independence by letting children explore in ways that feel natural and fun to them.
Children can enjoy stories and research topics using books or our large touch screen computer. They can play and discover nature in our secure garden or get creative in our art and design areas.
If you’re looking for a nursery that feels like a second home, we’re here for you. We believe that young children thrive when they feel safe and listened to. We work closely with parents to share progress, milestones, and all the little moments that matter most.
“I was so happy to see his learning journey, showing he can play alongside others and the ongoing support from the team is incredible.”
Nursery parent
Our Environment
Our setting offers thoughtfully designed individual play spaces tailored to the unique developmental needs of babies, toddlers, and pre-school children, ensuring a nurturing and stimulating environment for every stage of early learning. Pre-school children benefit from a shared garden space that encourages free flow play and exploration, supporting both physical development and creativity.
We are proud to support the mental well-being of our pre-schoolers through the My Happy Mind programme, promoting resilience, emotional literacy, and a positive mindset. Additionally, our Early Talk Boost speech and language programme is specifically implemented for school leavers, helping to enhance communication skills and ensure a confident start to school life.
Our bespoke curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity, foster independence, and meet the individual interests and abilities of each child. It covers all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring a well-rounded approach to learning and development that supports children to become confident, capable, and enthusiastic learners.
Supporting all children to thrive, we have two Level 3 qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) who work closely with staff and families to ensure inclusive and responsive care.
Our Vision and Mission
To meet the needs of each individual child.
To provide a secure, positive, safe and stimulating environment.
To ensure outcomes for our children.
Case study
My daughter Lucy started at Roberts Day Nursery in April 2024, during a very challenging time in our lives. I had recently regained full-time care of my children, and finding a supportive nursery felt like a daunting task. From the beginning, Roberts Day Nursery offered not only a place for Lucy to grow but also a space where I felt supported as a parent. Lucy began to thrive almost immediately. The staff guided us through important milestones—helping her with toilet training and reducing her dummy use. Their encouragement, patience, and communication made a real difference in her development and confidence. But the nursery’s impact reached far beyond Lucy’s progress. Personally, I was learning to be a mum again, and it wasn’t easy. The relationships I built with the staff were rooted in kindness and trust. I felt safe to speak openly about my struggles and received genuine support and understanding in return. This was crucial to my recovery and helped me to become the best version of myself for my children. Roberts Day Nursery has been more than just childcare—it has been a lifeline for our family. The thought of Lucy leaving for school is bittersweet because it means saying goodbye to a place that has played such a vital role in our lives. I truly believe we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of this incredible team. They have changed our lives, and I will always be grateful.

Starting Nursery and Key Worker Information
We understand how important it is for you and your child to find nursery provision that can meet your child’s individual needs, provide them with play, care and education as well as meeting your expectations and suiting your family’s needs.
That is why before starting your child at the Nursery we advise you and your child to come and have a look round, meet and chat with our friendly staff team and share experiences with our parents.
During your look around you will meet with our Nursery Manager who will answer any questions you may have. You will be asked to complete a few forms that will give us essential information about your child.
You will then plan with the Nursery Manager induction dates to suit you and your child.
Induction
We recognise that all children are different in the way they react to a new environment, and so we encourage parents to stay with their child for short periods of time until both parent and child feels comfortable and confident about being left in nursery, these are called inductions.
We ask that all parents carryout at least one induction session, although we do not limit the number of induction sessions needed before the child starts nursery.
1st Induction
The parent and child both attend a pre-planned nursery session (this session normally lasts for 1 hour). During this session the parent and child will play alongside the other children and the key worker will provide support. Once the child is settled the parent may leave the nursery for a short period of time before the session ends. During this time the child will be engaged in play and reassured of the parent’s return.
All children are individual, and some children may take longer to settle than others. The Nursery team is experienced and receptive to the children’s needs and in situations where children find it difficult to settle, we give lots of reassurance and cuddles and distract children with play, if however, they do continue to be upset we will shorten the induction sessions and, where possible, an increased number of shorter sessions will be put in place to build their confidence and trust. Your child’s key worker will be on hand to give advice on settling in strategies.
Curriculum
We are committed in providing our future generation with the best possible varied education through play providing them with confidence, a passion to learn and skills that will help them become self-assured positive and skilful adults.
With the use of positive interaction from our well-trained and qualified childcare team, we aim to provide many opportunities to inspire children and interest them in the world that surrounds them.
With the support of our staff children can develop and explore their curiosity and imagination to help make sense of the world. We encourage our children to problem solve and investigate their play, to use imagination and creativity on tasks as they build on new ideas and learn new concepts.
Healthy Eating
We understand how important a healthy lifestyle is for our growing children, and that good nutrition plays an essential role in our children’s learning. A well-balanced diet and plenty of exercise improves our children’s concentration as well as giving them bags of energy to play and learn.
Our Snacks
The nursery is committed to provide healthy snacks for our children both morning and afternoon prepared by the nursery staff and children. We plan our snacks by incorporating fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, a carbohydrate with every snack and a choice of milk or water.
The snacks that we provide will be;
Fresh and eaten on the day of preparation
Will not have added salt or sugar
Be free from harmful additives and preservatives
We avoid using processed foods in our snacks and a vegetarian option is always available. Your child’s key worker will work closely with you and your child’s individual dietary requirements.
Lunch boxes
To continue our commitment of healthy food for our children we encourage parents to replace chocolate bars with fruit and juice drinks with water.
Snack Times
Not only are snack times opportunities to refuel healthy minds and bodies but it is also a time of learning. Mealtimes provide an excellent opportunity to learn essential social skills such as listening, sharing, talking and independence, as well as motor skills.
During snack times children are encouraged to count the number of children and give out plates and cutlery. They are encouraged to pour their own drinks and help clean up after themselves.
Snack times are social times and so with adult support children are encouraged to talk about their food, where it came from, shape, tastes and texture and to share eating experiences from their own cultures.
Drinks
We ask for every child to be provided a water bottle which can be refilled throughout their session. We supply milk and water at snack times.
Weaning
Weaning can be a difficult and daunting time. We are available for advice and information and are able to support our parents with contacting professionals who can guide you on safe weaning.
Physical Play
Visits
The Nursery believes that physical education is extremely important in helping our children to grow into active healthy adults. We pride ourselves in giving our children many opportunities to have fun whilst being active.
We have a garden with a range of equipment to help develop gross and fine motor skills in a safe and secure environment. Children have several opportunities throughout the nursery session to access the garden in all weathers.
We follow a garden equipment plan that ensures varied equipment is available covering all six areas of learning, so it is not only a place to be active but also an environment to learn.
Outings
Exploring the outside environment is an essential part of learning new skills needed for everyday life. Knowing this we include visits and outings in our curriculum.
When planning trips we ensure that we exceed the recommended staffing ratio from Ofsted and encourage parents to come and join the fun!
As well as outings our children benefit from the many visitors coming into the nursery. Together these sessions promote the building of confidence, development of speech and language as well as maths skills, encourage physical development and movement as well as personal, social and emotional development and the joy of sharing new experiences with others.
Our visitors have included:
Miller’s Arc Farm
Miller’s Arc Farm is a working rare breed’s farm that travels around the country giving children the opportunity to have hands on experience with animals such as donkeys, pigs, sheep, ducks etc
Zoo Lab
Zoo Lab is a company specialising in educational programmes suitable for all age groups introducing children to creatures normally only read about. During our last visit the children had the rare opportunity to handle exotic animals such as snakes, spiders, African Land snails, giant millipedes and lots more
Local Dentists
A local dentist visits to support he children with understanding the importance of oral hygiene through play.
Emergency Services
A variety of Emergency Services also visit the setting to help children explore the world around them and aids in discussing their future goals and aspirations.
Parental Involvement
Parental Involvement
A child’s first educator is their parent/carer and to give our children the best possible start we feel it is essential that we work in partnership with our parents. The partnership that we have with our parents is invaluable and we work extremely hard to build trust and open communication.
We encourage our parents to be involved in their child’s care and education and parents are welcomed to attend any session that their child is attending. As a parent you may also wish to join in with one of our activities or outings.
Tapestry
The nursery has an online learning journal called Tapestry where we log observations for your child, and update their meals, sleep times and nappy changes so you can receive updates throughout their day.
Parents Evening
The Nursery hold a minimum of two parent evenings a year. This is a time for parents to come into the nursery and celebrate achievements with key workers from both nursery and at home. You will be able to look discuss your child’s progress and receive a report. If you would like to discuss your child’s progress you do not have to wait until the next parents evening. Just simply give us a call and we will arrange an appointment with you.
Parent Talents
We recognise that all our parents are talented, and this is your opportunity to shine! If you have a skill that you could teach our children, then come and share it. Whether it’s creative, culinary or banging bongos you may be just what we need.
There are opportunities to volunteer within the Nursery and other areas of our centre. Please click on link below for more information:
Parents Panel
Would you like to become more involved in the decision making of the nursery? Would you like to meet other parents? Then the parents’ panel may be for you! The group is a team of parents that work in partnership with the nursery manager and staff to continually strive to improve the service. As a parent you know what you want your nursery to provide for your children so come along and join!
Parent Feedback
The feedback that we receive from our parents plays an important role in the evaluation of our service to our families. In order to improve the service, we provide we need comments from you.
Security
At the Roberts Day Nursery we pride ourselves on the security of our children.
Premises
To ensure excellent security of our premises all access to the nursery and garden can only be accessed by nursery staff through security coded doors. All visitors to the setting must report to the senior member of staff on site where a member of staff signs the visitor in.
Password System
When a child first starts the nursery, parents are asked to provide a password that is used for authorisation for the collection of children. If the parent is unable to collect the child from nursery, then the authorised collector will be asked to show I.D. and will be asked for the child’s password. Children are never released without a password being given.
Staff
In order to keep our children safe from harm all Staff, Students and Volunteers that work within the Nursery and Centre go through rigorous checks to ensure their suitability to work with children. These checks are carried out during the recruitment process. Every member of staff has an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check and these are updated every three years. Each staff member is also required to sign an annual medical and conviction declaration to ensure that no changes have taken place over the year.
Meet the Team
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Emma Gibb Nursery Manager
My name is Emma Gibb and I have over 10 years' experience within early years. I hold a Level 3 qualification and was lucky enough to further my understanding through studying in Italy where I gained more knowledge around child-led learning. I am passionate about children exploring the world around them and guiding their learning with our brilliant practitioners.
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Caroline Mathieson Deputy Nursery Manager & SENCO
My name is Caroline Mathieson and I am the Deputy Nursery Manager. I have a level 3 Diploma in Childcare and my expertise is within Special Educational Needs. I lead the Nursery Practitioners and deliver programmes to get the best outcomes for children with special needs.
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Emma Bachelor Nursery Practitioner
My name is Emma Bachelor and I am a Qualified Nursery Practitioner. I enjoy joining in with the children dancing and singing especially at Boogie Mites sessions. I love seeing them interact with their older friends.
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Sarah Mainwaring Nursery Practitioner.
My name is Sarah Mainwaring and I am a Nursery Practitioner. I have a level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. I have nearly 15 years’ experience working with young children. My passion is child led education and I enjoy following the children’s interests as they navigate the world around them.
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Hollie Stockwell Nursery Apprentice
Hi my name is Hollie and I am currently studying my Level 3 in childcare after recently completing my Level 2.
I love working with children and being able to watch them as they learn and grow.
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Amy Oakley
Hi my name’s Amy and I am currently studying for my Level 2 qualification in childcare.
I enjoy working with children as I want to create a safe space for them to learn in.
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Floss Bassett
Hi my name is Floss, and I have been working in childcare for nearly 15 years.
I am passionate about creating strong relationships with the children and their families so together we can support the children to achieve their full potential.
Opening Times and Fees
The Nursery is open Monday to Friday from 8am – 6pm. We operate fifty-one weeks during the year. We only close for one week between Christmas and New Year and for all bank holidays.
Nursery fees:
Birth to 3 years
£30 per session (8am to 1pm, or 1pm to 6pm)
Daily rate £60
£6.75 per additional hour
Weekly rate £293
3 years and over
£26 per session (8am to 1pm, or 1pm to 6pm)
Daily rate £52
£5.95 per additional hour
Weekly rate £253
*From April 1st 2025
All sessions are invoiced weekly and please note that there is a minimum requirement of 2 sessions per week.
We are pleased to offer the 30 hours funded childcare, two years old funding and 15 hours for funding for all the eligible families. We also accept a range of voucher schemes , please ask for details.
Payment
Nursery Education Grant and education sessions for parents of 2, 3 and 4-year-olds.
Accreditation
The Nursery is Ofsted Registered.
Interested?
For more information contact:
Info@robertscentre.org.uk
Telephone: 023 9229 6919

Important Information
Safeguarding Children's Policy
SEND Policy & example IEP/SEN support plan
To see another of our other policies please ask a member of staff or email info@robertscentre.org.uk
For full details regarding Starting Nursery And Key Worker Information, Curriculum, Healthy Eating, Parental Involvement, Security, Physical Play and Visits please click the button below.