For any mum returning to work after maternity leave one of the biggest concerns is will their child settle in nursery.

Thankfully for Emma Davison her son Jake made the transition with ease – and now he’s been with Clever Clogs nursery in Belmont for over three and a half years.

Emma had been due to take nine months maternity leave but had to return to work as a call centre manager after just six and needed a nursery for Jake three days a week.

“I live near Clever Clogs and researched it on the internet before taking Jake along,” said Emma. “For every key worker he has had there I have nothing but positive things to say, they have all been wonderful.”

As children grow older, they move into different sections of Clever Clogs from babies to toddlers to pre-school. Emma has been impressed with the thoughtful way this has been done.

“At each stage they are gradually introduced a bit at a time so there is no sudden change. The staff take time with each child and it’s lovely to see how they build a relationship with them,” said Emma.

Now four, Jake is getting ready to start school next year and Emma is pleased with his progress.

“You start to notice lots of little things, like the way he holds a pen, his understanding of numbers and also of shapes and how they connect. He has been drawing circles and from that understands the outline of a car and the different shapes of the wheels and the body and how they join together.

Whilst Jake has shown great progress with his written work, it’s being out in the Clever Clogs garden with his friends that he enjoys most. along with the special “stay and play” events for Halloween, Christmas and other occasions.

“Jake loves being in the garden, there’s space to run about and exciting things like the mud kitchen,” said Emma.

“They planted a sunflower which is now enormous. Every day on the way to nursery we have a conversation about whether it will have grown anymore.”