Learning through play
Little discoveries. Lifelong learning.
A creative, caring curriculum that gives children the confidence to explore their own possibilities.
A love of learning starts here
Our curriculum creates a unique, homely learning environment where each child can flourish. We take a modern, creative approach to early years education while upholding good manners, kindness and respect for others.
We nurture the individual talents in every child. Trying something new is just as valuable as getting something right: we celebrate questions, effort and discovery, and help children learn from experiences that do not go to plan.
This helps children build self-belief, think for themselves and make their own decisions.
The foundations we help children build
- To be confident communicators who can express their individual needs
- To develop their gross and fine motor skills in order to live a happy, healthy and active life
- To have the tools to develop emotional resilience, make good friendships and respect each other’s views
- To be positive problem solvers and critical thinkers
- To have the time to experience the love of reading and books
- To have a broad understanding and appreciation of the world around them, valuing each other as a team
- To develop an artistic and cultural awareness that enables their imagination, independence and creativity
- To gain enough confidence and independence to progress to their next stage of their learning
Growing, one little step at a time
0–12 Months
- Take turns in conversation through babble, gestures and single words
- Confidently and curiously cruise around the room exploring their environment
- Beginning to use resources to feed independently and encourage social interaction during mealtimes
- Forming close attachments and developing trust with a friendly staff team and other children
- Enjoy exploring books and participating in active singing opportunities with a range of resources
- To be able to stack a variety of objects either on top, inside or next to each other
- To explore a range of sensory experiences both inside and outside using their fingers and other parts of their bodies
- Confidently move and respond to music, join in with movements and gestures
- To learn and develop manners when eating, playing with friends and interacting with other adults and children.
12–24 Months
- Confidently say or gesture a number of words and begin to put two or three words together
- Independently move and explore all the physical resources both inside and out
- Feed and serve themselves independently at each mealtime, whilst socially interacting with each other
- Use an open top cup and have the confidence to pour their own drink
- Confident to make independent choices, willingness to try new things and develop a positive sense of self
- To explore and handle books with interest enjoying our book of the week
- To explore mark making opportunities in their environment during their play
- Participate in number rhymes and singing using a variety of resources
- Curiously explore the kitchen garden, outside play area and the local community
- Develop skills and confidence by exploring sensory experiences, messy play, using a range of natural or unnatural materials
- To learn and develop manners when eating, playing with friends and interacting with other adults and children.
2–3 Years
- Confidently use a broad vocabulary of words, communicate in simple sentences and follow specific instructions
- Explore the physical equipment independently both inside and outside
- Feed and serve themselves independently at each mealtime, whilst socially interacting with each other
- Use an open top cup and have the confidence to pour their own drink
- Independently identify their belongings and encourage them to put on their coats and wellies
- Encourage awareness of their feelings by developing strong trusting relationships with the caring and nurturing team
- Encouraged to use the toilet independently and understand the importance of self-care, for example, handwashing and nose blowing
- Developing a connection with familiar stories, songs and resources
- To understand everyday routines
- Encourage learning opportunities during constructive free play sessions
- Curiously explore the kitchen garden, outside play area and the local community
- Stimulate their imagination by encouraging pretend play, free play, child led play and learning opportunities
- Develop their imagination by using a range of materials to be creative
- Willing to try new things and feel pride in their attempts of learning whilst developing the ability to learn from their experiences when things don’t go right
- To learn and develop manners when eating, playing with friends and interacting with other adults and children.
3–5 Years
- Confidently articulate more complex sentences and use a wide range of vocabulary to communicate including the ability to answer questions
- Develop listening and comprehension skills during story time, show and tell sessions, songs, rhymes and poems
- Confidently take risks in their play and become equipped to negotiate space and awareness during this time
- Develop knowledge of how to keep themselves healthy by eating a healthy, balanced diet and having awareness of their personal hygiene needs and complete regular exercise
- Encourage awareness of their feelings by developing strong trusting relationships with peers, staff and family, understanding how to keep themselves safe.
- Independently identify their belongings and have the ability to dress themselves including putting shoes, wellies and coats on when wanting to go outside
- Confidently identity their emotions and understand how to support their own emotional wellbeing whilst treating others with respect care and kindness
- Delight in having a love for reading and books and use their extended vocabulary and gestures to tell their own stories
- Recognise numbers and patterns to build a bank of mathematical language and develop problem solving skills
- Willing to try new things and feel pride in their attempts of learning whilst developing the ability to learn from their experiences when things don’t go right
- Develop a deeper understanding of different cultures, the world and the community they live in, celebrating their similarities and differences between peers’, family and staff
- Develop their imagination by using a range of materials and resources to be creative, encouraging them to recognise letters and their name
- Confidently engage in physical activities inside and outside, interacting with all age groups within the setting
- Develop a deeper understanding of where food comes from, how to grow it, nurture it, harvest it and finally cook with it
- Gain an understanding of the importance of recycling and how to care for the environment they live in
- Feed and serve themselves independently at each mealtime, whilst socialising interacting with each other
- Use a cup and have the confidence to pour their own drink and know to help themselves to a drink at any time of the day
- Understand the next steps of their learning journey and feel ready to take on their new challenge
- To learn and develop manners when eating, playing with friends and interacting with other adults and children
Learning goes outside, too
Fresh air, growing things and hands-on experiences connect children with the world around them.
Your next little adventure
Come and see the Little Loco difference
We’d love to show you around. Book a visit and experience our nursery for yourself.