The nursery understands that play is something children naturally enjoy. It serves a meaningful purpose and can be a vital step in helping them learn and develop valuable skills. Through play, children grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially, supporting their development into healthy and competent individuals.

The nursery will endeavour to provide a stimulating environment where play and learning go hand in hand. A wide range of activities will be offered throughout the day, making use of both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Consideration will be given to ensure that appropriate provision is made for children with special needs and abilities, supporting inclusive learning and development for all.

Messy play

A wide variety of sensory materials—such as shaving foam, cornflour, jelly, spaghetti, and dough—will be made available. These will offer diverse tactile and imaginative experiences and encourage the development of expressive language.

Sand and water

Sand and water play will be made available on a regular basis. These activities offer valuable opportunities for children to explore early scientific and mathematical concepts, while also supporting social interaction and language development.

Creative activities

Activities such as painting, sticking, chalking, and box modelling will be regularly available to encourage creativity and self-expression. In addition, group games such as ring games, lotto, and snap will promote conversation and help children develop important social skills, including taking turns, sharing, and understanding how to win and lose gracefully.

Imaginative play

The nursery recognises the importance of imaginative play in a child’s development and aims to provide rich opportunities to spark and extend their imagination. Resources will include dolls and accessories, road maps and cars, trains, dressing-up clothes, and a well-equipped home corner. A variety of themed play settings will also be made available to support role-play and creative exploration. In addition, a selection of construction toys will be provided to encourage hand-eye coordination, counting, sorting, and problem-solving skills.

Physical play

A variety of physical activities will be provided to support children’s gross and fine motor development. These include tunnels, a ball pool, tricycles, balls, hoops, and climbing apparatus. Fine motor skills will be encouraged through activities such as threading, cutting, and creative tasks. Music and movement sessions will also be included to promote coordination, rhythm, and physical expression.

Books

A wide variety of books is available for children to explore independently or with adult support. Children will also be read to in group sessions each day and encouraged to share and discuss books with their peers, helping to foster a love of reading and support early literacy development.

Additional equipment/IT

A range of equipment—including a CD player, television, computer, and musical instruments—will be available to enhance learning and play. These resources support children’s engagement with music, encouraging them to listen, respond, and explore how sounds are made. The nursery also provides a variety of other tools and materials to further enrich play and support all areas of development.

Language

We highly value the opportunity to preserve and nurture each child’s home language, while also recognising the importance of introducing and supporting the development of the English language. We take reasonable steps to provide opportunities for children to use and develop their home language through play and learning, reinforcing their language skills both in the nursery and at home. At the same time, practitioners ensure that all children have sufficient opportunities to learn and achieve a good standard of English.

 

Christian Education 

We are committed to providing a strong foundation in Christian education as part of our early years curriculum. Children are introduced to the alphabet and early literacy through Bible stories, Christian songs, and the recitation of Psalms. These meaningful activities help develop language and listening skills while nurturing Christian values such as kindness, honesty, and respect. Through this faith-based approach, children grow spiritually, morally, and academically in a warm and supportive environment.

Outdoor play

Outdoor play is an essential part of our daily routine. Through careful planning based on children’s interests, needs, and developmental progress, we provide opportunities for them to explore and discover the outdoor environment. A variety of equipment and resources are available to support physical activity, imaginative play, and social interaction. Outdoor play encourages physical exercise, promotes well-being, and supports all areas of development in a natural and stimulating setting.

Food and drink

Nursery practitioners are committed to promoting healthy eating and supporting children in developing positive attitudes toward food. This is reflected not only in the nutritious meals and snacks provided but also through daily learning experiences that encourage healthy choices. At snack times, children are offered cow’s milk or water. For those with dietary requirements or allergies, alternative milk options such as oat milk are provided. Fresh drinking water is accessible to all children throughout the day.