The Curiosity Approach – Be Curious, Have Fun, Make a Difference – is a modern day approach to Early Childhood. Taking parts from Reggio, Steiner, Te Whāriki with a sprinkle of Montessori.

We create an environment and culture of curiosity, awe and wonder – embedded at the heart of our setting.  An extension of home, not a watered down version of school!

We are aiming for healthy bodies, healthy minds and a healthy planet ….

The children in our setting can enjoy a breakfast of wholegrain cereal with a low-GI value, which benefits overall health and protects teeth.  Children bring in a piece of fruit or vegetable for each snacktime which is presented as a supervised, rolling buffet, full of vitamins!  Packed lunches may be provided, but we can supply a carefully planned and nutritionally balanced 2-course hot lunch from our catering partners.  Water bottles are always available for the children and they are prompted to drink constantly throughout the day.

Anna Ephgrave, In the Moment Planning’ guru, describes fully engaged children as being happy, independent, confident, unique, taking risks, taking the lead, communicating, challenged, creative, secure, curious, persistent, sociable, enthusiastic and other similar words. She continues by stating that: A child who is happy can become deeply engaged; A child who is challenged will be deeply engaged; A child who is not being controlled by adults will be deeply engaged; A child who feels secure will be deeply engage.

The Forest School approach to learning in the outdoors is rooted firmly in the key progressive education theorists of the past one hundred and fifty years – from Froebel to Steiner, Vygotsky to Montessori, Dewey to Gardner – all of them put the child at the centre of their own learning; all talk of the importance of children being allowed to explore the world, in woodlands or wild spaces with appropriate support.

Our setting promotes environmental awareness as well as respect and responsibility for the world around us as we explore the woodland areas, natural habitats and open spaces within the boundaries of the campus.

Being accessible and flexible for parents is very important.  Please see our Parent Plus programme for more details.

• Our After School Club and Holiday Club is open to children aged 2 – 6 whether or not they normally attend the setting.
• We offer termtime 15 and 30 hours government funding subsidy and 2 year old funding.
• We accept childcare vouchers and parents can pay with tax credits.
• We are open 8am – 6pm for all-day or sessional booking
• Ad Hoc sessions can be arranged for one off bookings (subject to availability)

Every so often we have an OFSTED inspection, which enables us to receive government funding for our 2, 3 and 4 year olds. We are very proud of our Pre-School achievements. Justifiably so – according to OFSTED:

“Children make outstanding progress in relation to their developmental starting points, which successfully prepares them for their future and starting school.”