Our Curriculum

We believe children learn best when they are actively involved and following their own interests. Child‑led learning means children have the freedom to explore, choose and play in ways that feel meaningful to them, both indoors and outdoors. Our role as adults is to observe carefully, join in sensitively and gently extend learning at the right moment.

This approach is inspired by early years pioneers such as Friedrich Froebel and Maria Montessori, who believed in independence and choice, and Lev Vygotsky, who recognised that children learn best through play and supportive interactions with adults. Child‑led learning also sits at the heart of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which values learning through exploration, play and children’s individual interests.

Learning Through Play and Schemas

Children often repeat certain types of play, such as carrying objects from place to place, building and knocking down towers, lining items up or wrapping things up. These repeated patterns, known as schemas, show how children are exploring ideas and making sense of the world around them.

A child‑led approach allows these schemas to develop naturally. By watching and responding to children’s play, practitioners can provide the right resources and experiences to deepen learning rather than directing it.

Why Child‑Led Learning Is So Important

When children lead their own learning, they are:

• More confident and independent, making choices and trusting their ideas

• Highly engaged, often playing for long periods with deep concentration

• Developing strong thinking and problem‑solving skills

• Building social skills through sharing, negotiating and collaborating

• Strengthening physical development through active indoor and outdoor play

• Growing emotionally as they feel listened to, respected and understood

By providing rich, inviting learning environments and following each child’s unique interests, we support every child to thrive. Child‑led learning helps children develop a genuine love of learning while nurturing their confidence, creativity and overall development during these vital early years.

Our teachers and practitioners are passionate about early childhood education and have the experience and qualifications to provide high-quality care. They receive ongoing training to stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field, which enables us to embed an innovative and research-informed curriculum.

Nature isn’t an add‑on — it is the foundation of our curriculum. Our Nature School offers children aged 2–5 the opportunity to experience gardening, land‑based learning, outdoor exploration and seasonal change through real‑life, hands‑on activities.

Children learn outdoors several times a week, developing confidence, physical skills, emotional resilience and a deep sense of belonging to their environment.

Under 2s

Our babies and toddlers enjoy gentle outdoor experiences through daily walks to local Harpenden parks, sensory nature activities and growing opportunities in our onsite garden.

• Gardening, planting and harvesting

• Caring for living things

• Woodland play activities

• Mud, water and sensory play

• Storytelling and seasonal celebrations

• Outdoor cookery and nature crafts