Our Curriculum
Your child learns something new every day, often without even noticing it. At Little Owls, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, which helps your child grow in confidence, curiosity and independence from the moment they join us.
Our curriculum is built around play, exploration and warm, responsive relationships. It gives your child everything they need to develop at their own pace and feel ready for school when the time comes.
How Your Child Learns
We believe that children learn best when they:
Feel safe and cared for
Are interested and curious
Can choose their own activities
Have space to explore indoors and outdoors
Build strong relationships with trusted adults
Every child is unique, so we take the time to understand their interests, needs and learning style.
The Four EYFS Principles
Our approach is shaped by the four key principles of the EYFS.
1. A Unique Child
Your child is capable, resilient and full of potential. We value them as an individual and support their personal journey.
2. Positive Relationships
Children learn best through trusting, warm relationships. Your child will build strong bonds with their key person and our wider team.
3. Enabling Environments
Your child learns and develops well in spaces that spark curiosity and allow them to follow their interests. Both nurseries offer bright, welcoming rooms and exciting outdoor areas.
4. Learning and Development
Every child grows at their own pace. We match activities to your child’s age, needs and stage of learning.
The Seven Areas of Learning
The EYFS curriculum is split into seven areas. They help your child develop the skills they need for school — and life.
Prime Areas
These form the foundation of your child’s development.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Physical Development
Communication and Language
Specific Areas
These build on the prime areas and support deeper learning.
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
In the Moment Planning
At Little Owls, we use “In the Moment Planning,” an approach created by early years expert Anna Ephgrave.
This means your child learns through activities they choose themselves. When your child becomes deeply interested in something, our practitioners join in, extend their play and help them learn more in that moment.
This approach helps your child to:
Stay deeply engaged
Build confidence and independence
Learn through real experiences
Feel proud of their achievements
Develop at a pace that suits them
Observations and Learning Journals
Our team observes your child carefully to understand what they enjoy, what they find challenging and what excites them. These moments are recorded in your child’s Learning Journal, which includes:
Photos
Videos
Notes
Examples of progress
Special achievements
You can view your child’s journal online at home or work, giving you a clear picture of how they are learning and growing.
Focus Children Week
Each week, a small group of children becomes our “Focus Children.” During this time, we observe their interests, development and interactions more closely to build a full picture of their learning.
This helps us plan high-quality experiences that match their needs.
Want to See How Learning Fits Into the Day?
Take a look at our Nursery Day page for more detail on what your child’s daily routine might include.