Our Curriculum at Belsize Day Nursery
At Belsize Day Nursery, we believe that all children deserve high-quality childcare where care and learning go hand in hand.
We provide a rich, inspiring environment that stimulates curiosity and supports every child to thrive. Guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and influenced by the Curiosity Approach, we encourage children to become inquisitive thinkers, inspired by the awe and wonder around them.
We ensure that every child:
- Feels represented, valued, and included
- Develops a strong sense of identity and belonging
- Experiences new opportunities that build cultural capital
- Leaves us as a confident, independent learner with a love of the natural world
Our Curriculum Vision
We aim to give every child a positive and meaningful start, building strong foundations for lifelong learning.
At Belsize, we:
- Create a secure, nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore
- Support children to build relationships through cooperation and shared experiences
- Encourage independence, confidence, and resilience
- Celebrate each child’s strengths, helping them recognise their achievements
Our curriculum is designed to support children’s social, physical, intellectual, and emotional development, ensuring they reach their full potential.
Our Curriculum Intent
Our curriculum is built around three key priorities:
Strong Communication & Language
We prioritise communication to support all children, including those with delayed speech or English as an additional language.
We focus on:
- Building vocabulary through meaningful interactions
- Developing attention and listening skills
- Encouraging storytelling and conversation
- Modelling language throughout the day
Emotional Security, Independence & Self-Regulation
We support children to develop the skills they need to feel safe, confident, and independent.
Children learn to:
- Build secure attachments with key adults
- Understand and manage their emotions
- Follow routines and expectations
- Become independent in personal care
- Work alongside others and solve simple problems
Inclusive Learning for Every Child
We ensure that every child, including those with SEND or additional needs, can fully access our curriculum.
We achieve this by:
- Using visual supports and clear communication
- Breaking down tasks into manageable steps
- Adapting the environment to meet individual needs
- Working closely with parents and external professionals
Our Curriculum Implementation
We deliver our curriculum through high-quality teaching, meaningful interactions, and carefully planned environments.
Our approach includes:
- Play-based, child-led learning supported by skilled practitioners
Observation and assessment to identify children’s interests and next
steps - Free-flow environments allowing movement between indoor and
outdoor learning - Daily communication sessions including stories, songs, and vocabulary
building - A sensory-supportive environment for children with additional needs
- Outdoor learning every day, recognising its importance for development and wellbeing
Practitioners act as facilitators, using:
- Shared Sustained Thinking
- Modelling of language and thinking
- Questioning to extend learning
- Introduction of new vocabulary and concepts
We also:
- Encourage children to explore, investigate, and problem solve
- Use real-life experiences and hands-on learning
- Revisit learning through the language of memory (“remember when…”)
- Value children’s ideas and prior knowledge when introducing new topics
Progression of Learning
Our curriculum supports clear developmental progression:
Babies (0–2 years)
- Build secure attachments
- Respond to voices, gestures, and simple language
- Explore sensory experiences
- Develop early movement skills
Toddlers (2–3 years)
- Begin using simple sentences
- Develop early vocabulary
- Explore counting and early concepts
- Engage in turn-taking and early social play
- Begin mark making
Preschool (3–4 years)
- Retell simple stories
- Use more complex language
- Develop early maths skills (counting, patterns)
- Build friendships and cooperation
- Develop early writing movements
Our Curriculum Impact
Through our curriculum, children leave Belsize as:
- Confident communicators who can express their needs and ideas
- Emotionally secure and able to begin regulating their feelings
- Engaged learners who enjoy stories, conversations, and exploration
- Children with strong foundations in early maths and literacy
- Curious, independent thinkers and problem solvers
- Resilient and confident individuals ready for school
Most importantly, children leave us happy, secure, and ready for their next stage of learning.
? Preparing Children for Life
We aim for every child to leave Belsize with:
- A love of learning
- Confidence to take risks
- Strong relationships with others
- An understanding of the world around them
“At Belsize Day Nursery, we don’t just prepare children for school, we prepare them for life.”