Hayley Thompson, Early Years Manager at Belmont Grosvenor School and her Deputy Sarah Birt, explain why the school’s ‘outstanding’ Magic Tree Nursery, which welcomes children from just three months old, is adopting the exciting ‘Curiosity Approach’ in the setting and the many benefits it will bring children in their care.
In simple terms, the ‘Curiosity Approach’ puts the fun back into learning for children. It aims to ignite a child’s natural curiosity to explore the world around them. Instead of directing children and telling them what to do, the ‘Curiosity Approach’ is based on child-led learning.
In settings which have adopted the ‘Curiosity Approach’, it is the children who make their own choices, and start figuring things out for themselves. This leads to enhanced confidence, critical thinking and improved problem-solving skills.
Here at Magic Tree Nursery, which is part of Harrogate independent prep school Belmont Grosvenor, we are beginning our journey towards official ‘Curiosity Approach’ accreditation.
So what is the ‘Curiosity Approach’ and how does it work in a nursery environment?
It is the brainchild of friends Stephanie Barrett and Lyndsey Heller who between them have more than 50 years of childcare experience.
As directors of nurseries across the West Midlands, the pair wanted to develop an approach to early childhood that was both mindful and respectful, and allowed a child’s creativity to flow.
They drew on the best ideas from other early education philosophies including Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Pikler and Steiner and the ‘Curosity Approach’ was born.
It is now practised by more than 4,000 educators in 20 countries across the world – when officially accredited, Belmont Grosvenor School’s Magic Tree Nursery will be one only one of a handful of nurseries in the Harrogate area with this accreditation.
Magic Tree Nursery, as it works towards ‘Curiosity Approach’ accreditation, aims to create children who are ‘thinkers and doers’ instead of passive learners who simply follow the direction of an adult.
One of the most striking things you will notice when visiting a ‘Curiosity Approach’ setting is the ‘no toys’ ethos – it’s all about neutral spaces with natural wood and neutral colour schemes which create a peaceful, tranquil environment that doesn’t distract from a child’s learning.
Wherever possible, following the ‘Curiosity Approach’, items are placed at a child’s eye-level to allow them to choose what they want to play with. Children use their imagination to work out what items are rather than being presented with a clearly identifiable toy.
As they are doing this without guidance, their confidence increases and they are encouraged to think independently. The child is in control of play, rather than an object limiting their play. They are challenged to use their senses to discover how something feels and sounds, and how they can interact with it.
Our spacious early years area has plenty of natural loose parts, a small world investigation area, wooden playhouse and even a wet dining area where children as young as 16 months learn how to prepare their own afternoon snack.
The outdoors is a core element of a ‘Curiosity Approach’ nursery – and Magic Tree, as part of Belmont Grosvenor School, has envious amounts of outdoor space for children to explore.
Set in 20-acres of grounds in the village of Birstwith, just a few miles from the centre of Harrogate, children have access to a beautiful wooded Forest School area, outdoor classrooms, swimming pool and grassed paddock which is packed with loose parts and resources which help children finesse their gross motor skills and spark their imagination.
They enjoy regular nature walks around the grounds so they can observe the seasonal changes and experience birds flying overhead, cows and calves running along the neighbouring fields and butterflies landing on the flowers.
If you would like to find out more about the ‘Curiosity Approach’ at Magic Tree Nursery, part of Belmont Grosvenor School, please get in touch to arrange a visit.
Every day at BGS is an open day – please just drop us an email at: admin@belmontgrosvenor.co.uk or call 01423 771029 to arrange a tour.
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