It is with great pleasure that I highly recommend Toybox as an exceptional environment for children to grow, learn and develop – I am constantly impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm of all the staff. They all bring such great charisma and passion to their work. They promote active learning through play and exploration and the kids adore the variety and challenge of new skills. Chris with his science experiments is amazing! Alison with her craft… they all have great assets and make a powerful team.
My two youngest have attended (Dexter 2015 – 2017) and Alicia currently. My eldest, Katie, attended a different East Grinstead pre-school which provided a completely different experience – Had I known of Toybox at the time I would have jumped at the chance to send her here.
Toybox has been an incredible support to me and my children as I discovered Katie had a genetic disorder in 2015 and was later diagnosed Autistic. During the last 18 months I have also been going through divorce which has undoubtedly impacted all of us. The staff have been so amazing and nurturing – even to Katie who was never one of their pupils. They all know us by name and will make the time to ask us how we are and involve the kids in conversation. Katie has developed a real bond with Stanley which broke her fear of dogs… truly amazing!
When Dexter started at Toybox he had special dietary requirements as he was being seen by a Gastroenterologist (amongst other specialists) at the Royal Alexander in Brighton. He was also allergic to eggs and all nuts requiring an EPI PEN. Sarah and her team did an amazing job at reassuring me of all their policies, procedures, training their staff on epi pens and making sure specialty foods were ordered for him. Sarah was so thorough, I never had to worry about leaving Dexter at Toybox – I knew they had it all under control.
When Dexter began Toybox in 2015, Alicia was 6 months old and Katie was at her most challenging. It was a really difficult time. Dexter’s key worker, Lorraine was amazing at doing extra work with Dexter on ‘emotions’ and trying to get him to understand why his sister was feeling/acting the way she was. I have no doubt the partnership between Sarah and Lorraine devising strategies to help Dexter helped to make him into the tolerate and calm brother he is.
When Alicia started at Toybox she went through a period of separation anxiety which was most likely learnt behaviour she’d picked up from Katie. The staff all worked proactively to combat this and reinforce positive behaviours at drop off.
In general my main observation about Toybox is there is a real partnership between Sarah and her staff and then the connection they have with all the children and their parents is so highly valued. The nursey has such an amazing reputation in the town and it is no wonder! Well done Sarah! I admire the fact that your years of experience never makes you complacent – you are highly professional with every child’s best interests at heart. Any child lucky enough to start out at Toybox is guaranteed a solid transition to school – as I have clearly experienced.
A sincere heartfelt thank you from Dexter, Alicia, Katie and Michelle x