Three ideas behind every day
Faith
Faith runs through the day, from morning prayer, worship and a Bible story to the values practised in play.
Play
Child-led, purposeful play every day, in play zones set up for building, pretend play, art, books and the senses.
Discovery
Nature, experiments and investigation, with Reggio Emilia principles and the garden running through the whole environment.
Learning through play, projects and real experiences
Children learn through play, projects and real experiences: a snail found in the garden becomes a lesson in language, counting, science, art and caring for God’s creation. Teachers observe and build on children’s interests instead of teaching from worksheets, and learning goals follow the national curriculum frameworks.
Our approach is inspired by Reggio Emilia: teachers observe and document children’s thinking, and nature runs through the whole environment rather than sitting in separate programmes.
Faith runs through the whole day
Faith runs through the day, from morning prayer, worship and a Bible story to the values practised in play.
Morning
Each day starts with prayer, worship and a Bible story.
In play
Christian values such as kindness and gratitude are practised in play.
In the garden
Caring for the garden is caring for God’s creation.
Play zones, not rows of desks
Classrooms are set up as play zones, with open access to the garden. Materials are open-ended and mostly natural or recycled. Teachers observe and build on children’s interests instead of teaching from worksheets.
- Book nook
- Art studio
- Discovery table
- Building
- Pretend play
- Sensory play
The garden is a learning space with sand, water play, loose parts and vegetable and herb beds.