The Magic of Discovery: How We Learn

Guided by the EYFS, Inspired by Your Child

At Burnside Nursery, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. We bring this to life through a rich, play-based curriculum tailored to the unique interests of our children. We believe that at this age, "work" is play, and "play" is the most profound form of learning.

The Heart of Our Nursery: The Key Worker System

Even though we are a thriving nursery, your child’s experience will always feel personal.

• A Named Advocate Every child is paired with a Key Worker - a dedicated Early Years specialist who acts as their anchor. Your child’s Key Worker acts as a comforting, familiar anchor throughout the nursery day, helping them settle quickly during the morning drop-off.

• Deep Connections Your Key Worker is a named adult responsible for your child’s emotional well-being and their developmental progress. They are your primary point of contact, ensuring that we build a strong bridge between home and school. Because your Key Worker observes your child closely every day, they understand their specific interests and developmental needs, shaping the curriculum around what captivates them most. We consider parents our co-educators. Your Key Worker will regularly share insights into your child’s achievements and work closely with you to support their development both at home and at nursery.

• Small Groups, Big Ideas While the children enjoy the freedom of our rooms, they regularly gather in their Key Worker groups for stories, focussed learning and "circle time."

Our Learning Environment: Purposeful Play

Our nursery features two open-plan learning rooms designed to stimulate curiosity. Rather than being confined to one area, children are encouraged to "free-flow" between specialised learning zones:

• The Communication Hub Cosy corners for reading, puppet play, and storytelling to develop language and literacy.

• The Investigation Station Where maths and science come to life through water, sand, and loose-parts play.

• The Creative Studio A space for messy play, painting, and "junk modelling" to spark imagination and fine motor skills.

The Great Outdoors: Twice the Adventure

We are incredibly fortunate to have two dedicated outdoor play areas. We view the outdoors as a "classroom without a ceiling."

• Active Learning Whether they are building with large crates, exploring the sensory garden, or developing their physical coordination on our climbing equipment, the children have constant access to fresh air and physical challenge.

• Nature and the Seasons Our outdoor spaces allow children to witness the changing seasons first-hand, fostering a respect for the environment from the very beginning.

The Seven Areas of Learning

Our expert team intentionally plans activities that cover the seven key areas of the EYFS:

1. Communication and Language: Developing the "gift of the gab" and listening skills. We focus heavily on developing listening, attention, vocabulary, and speaking skills. Through daily stories, songs, and conversational play, we help children find their voice and express their ideas confidently.

2. Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Building confidence and making friends. We support children in forming positive relationships, learning to share, understanding their emotions, and building a secure sense of self-worth and independence.

3. Physical Development: From big movements like climbing, balancing, and running in our outdoor spaces, to fine movements like using scissors, handling tools, and forming pincer grips for early writing.

4. Literacy: Falling in love with books, sharing rhymes, and beginning to link sounds to letters (early phonics) and make meaningful marks.

5. Mathematics: Exploring numbers, counting games, shapes, spatial awareness, and simple problem-solving through hands-on play.

6. Understanding the World: Cultivating a curiosity about technological tools, different communities, physical science, and the natural environment in our gardens.

7. Expressive Arts and Design: Providing daily opportunities for children to share their thoughts and ideas through art, role-play, music, dance, and design. 

 

Living Our Motto in Burnside Nursery

Our daily routines and learning opportunities are built around our three core pillars:

• Be Safe Whether exploring our two large open-plan rooms or playing in our outdoor areas, children learn to manage risks safely. They learn to handle tools with care, look after our equipment, and follow instructions to keep themselves and others secure.

• Be Smart Being smart in nursery means being a resilient learner. We encourage our children to solve problems, learn from their mistakes, try out new ideas in the Creative Studio, and challenge themselves mathematically and physically.

• Be Kind Kindness is the heartbeat of our nursery. Through our Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED) curriculum, we teach children to listen to their peers, share resources during free-flow play, use kind words, and welcome everyone into our Burnside family.