What learning looks like
Pedagogy
At Much Woolton Old School Nursery, we integrate the teachings of various influential theorists to give children the best foundation for their Early Years journey. Our approach places the child at the heart of everything we do, allowing their interests to guide their learning and development.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we view children as ‘curious individuals’ who possess the power and potential to learn from their environment and the relationships they foster with others.
We also embrace the Montessori approach, which empowers children with independence and choice while focusing on the holistic development of the child—encompassing physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. In our nursery, children freely explore their environment without restrictions, enjoying access to all areas of provision at all times. We do not confine them to specific rooms, thereby granting them the freedom to cultivate a deep interest in their activities.
In our setting, the children form a ‘family of learners,’ interacting across different ages. This mix allows older children to take on mentorship roles, developing their leadership skills, while giving younger children the chance to learn from their peers.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to ensure that all children develop at their own pace, supported by our dedicated practitioners, and successfully acquire the essential skills throughout their foundation stage. We concentrate on seven areas of learning, which include three prime areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; and Communication and Language. Additionally, we focus on four specific areas: Mathematics; Literacy; Understanding the World; and Expressive Arts and Design.
Our practitioners act as facilitators in the children’s learning journey. Their role involves observing, supporting, and extending learning through meaningful opportunities and experiences while carefully listening to the children to tune into their needs and interests. Our curriculum provides every child with the chance to enhance their communication skills in a language-rich environment. We strive to create a nurturing learning space that is purposefully designed to stimulate the development of children's language abilities. Our practitioners seize every opportunity to utilise language, enhance listening skills, foster interactions, and encourage turn-taking.
Nothing quite beats home cooking
Our children are given a wide range of healthy and tasty meals. We know that when it comes to giving your children the best, freshly prepared home cooking is always best. That's why our own chef (and husband to manager Chloe Rood!) is part of the family! He cooks for the nursery just like he does at home - with care and love.
Outdoor learning
At Much Woolton Old School Nursery, the children enjoy outdoor learning regardless of the weather. Our expansive outdoor area is always accessible, providing an ideal environment for education. With features such as a wooded area, a mud kitchen, water play facilities, and a construction zone, our outdoor garden allows children to connect with nature and learn self-regulation skills. Additionally, our children partake in gardening activities in our vegetable patch and assist in caring for our lovely hens. In conjunction with continuous access to our woodland and garden, we also offer opportunities for children to explore the local community through trips and visits, further enriching their experiences.
Slides & swings
We know that sometime the old-fashioned play equipment can't be beaten. With slides, swings and climbing frames, our children always have something to play with. And as we keep our placement numbers to a modest amount, there's no queues or arguing over who goes first like you might find at the local playground!
