Curriculum Policy
our curriculum policy
At Beyond The Nest, we believe that “high-quality early years education, with a strong focus on communication, is good for every child” (Development Matters). Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to help every child thrive through meaningful experiences, rich relationships, and joyful learning.
Our curriculum is built around everything we want children to experience, learn, and become during their time with us. We carefully plan high-quality teaching and learning experiences, inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh’s 50 Things to Do Before You’re 5¾, ensuring children have opportunities to explore, create, wonder, and make lasting memories. These experiences are shaped around the needs and interests of each cohort of children, meaning our curriculum continues to evolve as children grow and new interests emerge. Experiences are carefully sequenced so that learning builds over time, while also allowing children the opportunity to deeply immerse themselves in play and discovery.
Curiosity sits at the heart of everything we do. We know children learn best when they are engaged, interested, and inspired, and we believe play is one of the most powerful ways for children to make sense of the world around them. Through play, children explore ideas, ask questions, take risks, solve problems, and develop their imagination and creativity.
Communication and language are the golden thread woven throughout our nursery. We are passionate about creating a language-rich environment where children experience high-quality conversations every day. Through warm interactions, open-ended questioning, storytelling, singing, and responsive back-and-forth conversations, we nurture children’s spoken language and confidence as communicators. Just like the joyful sound of birds chirping in a nest, we believe there is something truly special about the sound of happy children chatting, laughing, and learning together.
Relationships are equally at the heart of life at Beyond The Nest. We provide strong, warm, and nurturing connections that help children feel safe, valued, and understood. Through these relationships, children learn to manage emotions, build friendships, develop empathy, and grow in confidence as part of our nursery community.
Our curriculum will always continue to evolve as we strive to provide the very best for our children, but our core principles of experiences, play, communication, and relationships will remain at the centre of everything we do.
Long Term Plan
Our curriculum has been carefully designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. Each topic is rooted in high-quality texts and enriched by exciting, engaging themes that capture children’s imaginations. We believe in the power of stories to open up new worlds and the importance of hands-on, meaningful experiences to deepen understanding.
This long term plan provides a clear guide for the year, ensuring a broad and balanced range of learning opportunities. However, it is not a rigid timetable, we embrace flexibility and will adapt plans to follow children’s interests, respond to their ideas, and build on the moments of awe and wonder that arise naturally in their play and exploration.
For each topic, we have thought carefully about what we want children to learn, the skills they will develop, and the kind of learners we want them to become. We prioritise abundant opportunities for communication, helping children to express themselves, listen to others, and share their thinking with confidence.
Every plan is woven with engaging, hands-on experiences that make learning memorable and meaningful. Whether through sensory exploration, role play, or real-life investigations, each activity builds on the golden thread of curiosity, inspiring children to wonder, question, and explore, while nurturing qualities such as resilience, empathy, and a love of discovery.
Babies
In our Babies Room, learning begins with gentle, nurturing experiences that spark curiosity and build secure relationships. We focus on developing early communication, sensory exploration, and physical skills through playful, hands-on opportunities.
High-quality stories, songs, and sensory resources invite babies to look, listen, touch, and explore, while responsive adults create a safe, loving environment where every child feels valued. Here, the golden thread of curiosity is nurtured from the very beginning.
Minis and Tods
In this room, children are developing curiosity and a growing sense of independence. Learning at this stage is practical, engaging and rooted in everyday discovery, whether through climbing, building, role play or simple problem-solving.
Communication develops rapidly as children begin to use words, gestures and play to share their thoughts. Our team supports this by modelling language, encouraging conversations and helping children build the foundations of friendship and cooperation.
We recognise each child as an individual and guide them as they learn to manage strong feelings, take safe risks and build resilience. Through meaningful play and exploration, our Minis gain the confidence and skills they need for the next stage of their journey.
Pre School
In our Preschool Room, children are curious, independent and eager to learn. At this stage, play becomes more purposeful as they ask questions, test out ideas and begin to solve problems for themselves. Whether building, creating, investigating or imagining, every experience supports their growing skills and confidence.
Language and communication are central to learning. Children are encouraged to express their thoughts, listen to others and take part in meaningful conversations. These experiences help them to develop the confidence to share ideas and the ability to work alongside friends.
We place a strong emphasis on resilience, independence and collaboration. Through engaging, hands-on opportunities both indoors and outdoors, our Preschool children are well prepared for the transition to school and excited for the challenges ahead.
