1st Friends Nursery  Vision

Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach:

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Child-Centered Learning: Children are viewed as capable, curious, and full of potential. Their questions and ideas guide the direction of learning.

Learning Through Exploration: In both our Little Buddies and Exploring Friends groups, children engage in hands-on learning activities. They explore their environment and materials, developing their skills through play and inquiry.

Collaboration: Children work alongside their peers, teachers, and families. This collaborative approach fosters social development and encourages communication, empathy, and problem-solving.

Expressive Arts: The Reggio Emilia approach values creativity and self-expression. In our nursery, children have access to a variety of materials and tools, allowing them to express themselves through drawing, painting, sculpture, and more.

Environment as the Third Teacher: Our rooms and outdoor spaces are designed to inspire curiosity and learning. The environment is thoughtfully organised with materials that provoke interest and invite children to explore new concepts.

Reggio Emilia in Little Buddies:

In Little Buddies, children are introduced to the Reggio Emilia approach through sensory-rich activities that encourage exploration and discovery. Teachers observe and document children’s interests, allowing the curriculum to emerge based on the children’s developmental needs and inquiries. Activities include free play, problem-solving tasks, creative expression, and early social interactions.

 Reggio Emilia in Exploring Friends:

Once children transition into the Exploring Friends group, typically around age 3, they follow a more structured Reggio Emilia curriculum, still driven by their interests. Children are encouraged to take greater ownership of their learning, with opportunities to engage in more complex projects, explore nature, and conduct experiments. Teachers act as facilitators, supporting children’s learning through open-ended questions, discussions, and collaborative group activities. These activities often focus on language, mathematics, social skills, and physical development, all while staying aligned with the EYFS framework to ensure school readiness.

 

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