Two years after opening its doors, Mini Malvern has quickly established itself as a thriving part of both The Downs Malvern and the wider local community.
To mark the occasion, we spoke to Nursery Manager Sandy Munden about the original vision for Mini Malvern, how it has grown over the past two years, and what makes her most excited for the future.
When you recall the early days of Mini Malvern, what was the original vision for it?
Our main goal was to support the local community by offering high-quality nursery provision for younger children, as options in Colwall were few and far between. We set out to create an outstanding and distinctive nursery setting that would give children the very best start, while helping to make the next step into school feel as natural and familiar as possible.
In what ways has Mini Malvern developed most significantly over the past two years?
One of the biggest developments has simply been the number of children now attending! The fact that we have such a strong waiting list is a great indicator of the quality we offer and how positively Mini Malvern has been received by families, and I’m thrilled by that. Families speak very positively about Mini Malvern, and we often hear lovely comments when we are out in the community with the children.
There have also been lots of practical developments along the way, including changes in government funding, adapting our fee structures and completing our recent Ofsted inspection. All of those steps have helped Mini Malvern continue to evolve.
How has the Nursery environment and approach developed as Mini Malvern has become more established?
As Mini Malvern has settled, the routines have become much more established, and it has been lovely to see the staff grow in confidence. That has a real impact on the children too. When the staff are confident, consistent and calm in their approach, the children pick up on that and feel secure in their environment.
Adapting what we do to suit each child has always been central to our approach. Every child is unique, so we need to be flexible, making sure they have opportunities that support their learning and development. In the Moment Planning really helps with this, and by linking more closely with the EYFS and Reception planning, we are helping the children build the foundations they will need as they continue their journey through the school.
What impact do you feel Mini Malvern is having on children as they move into Pre-Prep?
One of the most positive things we see is how confidently the children move into Pre-Prep. They are already familiar with the environment, the routines and the staff within the department, so that next step feels much less daunting for them.
There is a real family feeling here, and that helps the children feel secure, settled and ready for the next stage.
What has been your most memorable or rewarding moment from the last two years?
One was certainly our Christmas stay-and-play activity session with parents. There was such a lovely atmosphere, and it was wonderful to see the children feeling proud to work alongside their parents. The feedback from families was so positive, and it has encouraged us to plan more opportunities for families to come in and share special moments with the children throughout the year.
What are you most excited about for the future?
I am excited to see Mini Malvern continue to grow and evolve. We want to keep building on the positive start we have made by welcoming more children and families, developing our team and continuing to make Mini Malvern a happy and nurturing place for the children. It has been a wonderful two years so far, and we’re only just getting started!
