Our Curriculum

At the heart of our Early Years provision is the Development Matters framework, which guides our child-centred, holistic approach to early learning and development. We recognise that every child is unique, and we celebrate their individual interests, strengths, and pace of learning. We aim to create a warm, inclusive and stimulating environment where every child feels valued, supported and inspired to learn. We aim to prepare children for their next steps by laying strong foundations in communication, independence and relationships. From their earliest days, children are encouraged to express themselves, explore their ideas and connect with others, building confidence in their ability to make choices and solve problems.

We believe that children learn best through play, exploration and meaningful experiences that connect to their lives and interests. Our curriculum is designed to nurture curiosity and creativity, while promoting challenge and resilience as children test their ideas and persevere through new experiences. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what we do: we celebrate difference, promote understanding and help children to see themselves and others reflected positively in our environment.

Healthy habits, both physical and emotional, are woven through daily routines, enabling children to develop a sense of wellbeing and self-awareness. By fostering these qualities — communication, independence, relationships, challenge, diversity, creativity, healthy habits and understanding — we prepare each child to move forward with confidence, curiosity and care as they take their next steps in learning and life.

How do we do it?

Our curriculum is delivered through a balance of child-led play, adult-guided experiences and responsive interactions. Practitioners observe each child closely, tuning into their interests and developmental needs, and use these insights to shape the learning environment and daily routines. Every interaction is viewed as a teaching opportunity, whether during play, mealtimes, outdoor exploration or shared story moments.

Communication and language are developed through rich conversations, songs, storytelling and rhyme. Practitioners model language, introduce new vocabulary and support children to listen, question and express themselves with growing confidence. Independence is nurtured by allowing children to make choices, manage their own belongings, help with routines and take responsibility for small tasks. Strong, trusting relationships are built through a consistent key-person approach, ensuring that every child feels safe, secure and understood.

Children are encouraged to take on challenges appropriate to their stage of development. Practitioners provide open-ended resources and gently scaffold learning so that children can problem-solve, take risks and develop resilience. Diversity is reflected across all areas of the setting, from the stories we share to the images and materials we use, helping children to appreciate and respect the world’s richness. Creativity is fostered through art, music, imaginative play and open-ended exploration, allowing each child to express their unique ideas and feelings.

Healthy habits are promoted through daily movement, nutritious meals, outdoor play and emotional regulation activities. Experiences such as gardening, cooking, nature walks and community visits help children develop an early understanding of their environment and their place within it. The learning environment is carefully planned to be calm, accessible and engaging, encouraging children to explore, question and develop independence within a supportive framework.

How do the children benefit from our curriculum?

As a result of this approach, children leave our nursery as confident communicators who can share their thoughts and ideas with enthusiasm. They show increasing independence, managing their needs and making decisions for themselves. They build warm, positive relationships with adults and peers, demonstrating empathy, cooperation and respect. Through engaging with new challenges, they develop resilience and curiosity, showing pride in their achievements and a willingness to keep trying.

Children understand and celebrate diversity, showing kindness and acceptance towards others. They express themselves creatively through play, movement, art and imagination, using these as tools to explore their world and emotions. They make healthy choices and recognise the importance of physical and emotional wellbeing. Most importantly, they develop a growing understanding of the world around them and a sense of belonging within it.

Our curriculum ensures that each child moves on from our setting ready for their next stage of learning — secure, capable and curious, with the confidence and skills to thrive in school and beyond.