Ethos
As a child’s brain begins to develop in the womb, it is nearly complete by the age of four. It is in the early years of life that brain growth occurs most quickly, with multitudes of new connections being made every day. At Naturally Learning we understand the importance of early brain development and have created an ethos that promotes a holistic approach to childcare.
Integral to our ethos is the importance of nurturing each child as a whole. At Naturally Learning we recognise that children’s wellbeing forms the basis of their early experiences and we encourage positive development of children’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual wellbeing.
Food
We prioritise children’s physical growth by preparing wholesome meals that provide them with the nutrients to develop, learn and grow. Our in-house chefs prepare a seasonal, home-cooked menu that offers a well-balanced diet and a wide variety of choice. We promise to provide healthy food that promotes brain development and strengthens the immune system. As part of our ethos, we model healthy mealtime routines and promote positive eating habits. Children help to prepare food, learn how to use real tableware and serve themselves in our family-style dining experiences.
Developmental Movement
We recognise that young children need time and space to move freely so our environments are spacious and open ended. Children experiment with a wide range of movement to develop their core strength and motor skills. You will find heavy resources to lift and carry, large scale construction opportunities and ‘risky’ play experiences that allow children to understand their body, developing an awareness of internal sensory feedback. In the great outdoors we swing, roll and climb to develop the body’s proprioceptive and vestibular sensory systems, improving core strength, balance and coordination. These stages of developmental movement are vital for school readiness.
Rest
In addition to play spaces and outdoor environments, we provide peaceful places for rest both indoors and out. We know that all children need time to process and reflect, and have created spaces that promote quiet time or communication. Children can access fairy lit nooks or choose a hammock or den to relax and recharge under the trees.
We understand the importance of sleep and work in partnership with families to ensure children get the rest they need for growth and development. We follow babies natural sleep patterns as they settle into nursery and offer bespoke cots and sleep pods to promote comfortable sleep. Our staff team will tailor babies sleep routines to provide an individual and nurturing experience for each child.
Relationships
We are committed to working in partnership with parents to promote each individual child’s development. At Naturally Learning, we build authentic relationships with our children and nurture them to become confident, independent and resilient.
Our well-qualified, knowledgeable and experienced educators support our children at each stage of their journey. We invest in our staff team and promote professional development to ensure our ethos is embedded, creating a team of emotionally responsive caregivers and inspirational educators.
Once children have settled in, they can choose their own Key Person based on a natural bond they develop with an individual member of the team. The Key Person provides professional love and respectfully nurtures the children in their care. A strong attachment creates a secure base from which children can explore, and provides a first point of contact for their family.
Pedagogy
Our child-led approach to education ensures there is time to play, space to explore and freedom to choose. Through project-based planning and a seasonal curriculum, we naturally scaffold children’s learning through their own interests and inquiry.
Amongst the indoor play spaces, there are sensory opportunities to explore, explorative art projects, nature studies to be discovered and an authentic ripple of school readiness where appropriate.
Children access our outdoor environments to move freely, be loud, tell stories, investigate growth, use tools, light fires, becoming confident and risk aware. It is here that children learn about the natural world and develop self-awareness.
We are proud to offer award-winning Forest and Beach School sessions as outdoor learning is at the heart of our ethos.
At Naturally Learning we are committed to sustainability. Our respect for the planet is reflected in our vision and considered in our daily decision making. Our ethos captures the wild at heart, fostering a love for the natural world and nurturing the next generation of conservationists.
“A fab nursery, our children love it there. They are thriving and supported in their development and understanding of the world - we receive daily updates on what and how they are doing and milestones in regard to the early years frameworks and frequently shared. A fab nursery.”
— Benjie (Dad)
“Naturally Learning is such a lovely, nurturing setting. So much thought and time clearly go into planning interesting activities for the children and the staff really do go the extra mile to ignite their imaginations. From making campfires in the garden and cooking their snack to recreating the polar express train at Christmas. So magical!”
— Cass (Mum)
“'We love this nursery, our daughter settled in so well and has come on in leaps and bounds since starting when she was one. She is a happy, confident child who always runs happily into nursery at drop off, this is in no small part down to the wonderful staff at Naturally Learning . The activities each day are varied and really focus on developing each child, the staff have a real understanding of the individual child and how to best support them.”