Four early years settings in different locations across the city and one pre-school.
We believe in the power of play, exploration and creativity in order to lay the foundations for lifelong learning. Our EarlyYears programme follows Anna Ephgrave’s ‘Planning in the Moment’ approach, which emphasizes the importance of responsive, child-centered education. We understand that every child is unique and we aim to create an environment where children can thrive, explore, and grow at their own pace.
Enabling Environments: Where learning happens naturally
Our spaces (both in and outside) are designed to be ‘enabling environments,’ a term that means creating spaces where children can access resources independently and feel inspired, safe and supported. The learning spaces are carefullycrafted to support both structured learning and free exploration, allowing children to follow their interests and develop curiosity in an organic way.
We offer a variety of materials and open-ended resources (loose parts) which the children can manipulate, control, and combine in endless ways. Loose parts nurture imagination, creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration,problem solving and number sense and physical development.
Child-Initiated Play: Learning through discovery
Play is not just fun, it is essential to a child’s development. Through child-initiated play, children become active participants in their learning. Rather than following a rigid curriculum, our teachers observe each child’s interests and offer opportunities for them to explore these interests further. This flexible, play-based approach allows children to take the lead in their learning, promoting independence, confidence, and a love for discovery.
Whether it’s building a castle out of blocks, creating stories with dolls, or experimenting in the mud kitchen, every moment of play is an opportunity to learn. Through these experiences, children build social skills, practice language, anddiscover the world around them in meaningful ways.
Play Schemas: Understanding how children learn
One of the key elements of our approach is an understanding of play schemas, patterns of repetitive play that children naturally engage in as they explore the world. These schemas provide an insight into how children think and learn during play.
For example, children may engage in ‘transporting’ play, where they move objects from one place to another, or ‘enveloping’ play, where they wrap things up in cloth or materials. These play patterns are not random; they reflect the child’s thinking and learning process. By recognizing these schemas, our teachers can support the children’s learning ina more targeted way.
An international environment
With families from all over the world, our students are introduced to different languages, cultures, and perspectives froma young age. This international environment not only enriches the learning experience but also fosters empathy, respect, and understanding.
Through the power of play, we are creating an environment where children feel confident, inspired, and ready to explore the world around them.
If you are keen to find out more please contact our admissions department to organise a visit.
Written by Jo Bolton