Our Approach to Childcare

When finding a nursery for your child, we recommend choosing one which supports and enhances the values and learning methods you use at home. 

Our approach is based on what specialists call Froebelian principles. — No, that's not a typo!

Here's what it means and how we work...

Childhood is a really special time

It's not just a prologue to the more important business of being a grown-up. It's an important, integral and stand-alone time in any person's life. As practitioners, we try to think not only about what children should be learning next, but also about what they are interested in learning for themselves, right now.

Relationships are really important

Children get a great start in life when they have happy and fulfilling relationships with their family, their community, other children — plus with nature, culture and society. Children are valid members of their community. Our team are trained to help children form strong and secure relationships to the people and the world around them. When these relationships feel strong, children thrive.

Every Child is Unique in capacity and potential

Your child is different to every other child in their group. So why should they always be doing exactly the same activities at exactly the same time? At Little Haven, self-directed activities are encouraged wherever appropriate. By making their own choices, children can learn self-discipline and gain self-confidence. 

their Holistic Development is what matters

Childcare is not babysitting. But it's not straightforward 'teaching' either. As practitioners, we are here to ensure that your child grows and develops in all ways. Their learning is hugely important, but we're also here to help with their overall development, whether that's their physical or emotional wellbeing, their speech and language skills, their relationships with their peers, or something else entirely.

Play and Creativity are integral

Our slogan is "learning to play, playing to learn". Whether it's done together or alone, playing is how children make sense of the world and learn about life. At Little Haven, every session for every group of children is carefully planned to bring the best possible learning opportunities for all. Children are given lots of freedom to construct, build and model. But practitioners will be talking to them lots, encouraging all children to discuss and explain what they are doing and what they are going to do.

Children Deserve to feel Safe and cared for

Every child deserves to feel safe. At Little Haven, all children can enjoy a rich learning environment which is totally safe and secure while still being intellectually challenging, engaging and stimulating. In Froebelian practice, and in Little Haven specifically, practitioners and parents work in close partnership to nurture the secure holistic development of the child. We're looking forward to working with you!