Our Children Approach
This page provides a summary of how we approach our children.
We believe in supporting children as they direct their own learning, allowing them to follow their own curiosity and explore openly.
Our staff engage children in a range of interesting, varied activities that emphasise the development of emotional intelligence, creativity and innovation, whilst still falling within the EYFS framework to ensure milestone development.
This is all done in a natural environment with lots of outdoor exposure for best emotional and physical well-being.
Nature
We think nature is very important for children. Nature is tightly integrated and is a common thread and theme that runs throughout everything we do at all of our nurseries. This includes nature-based activities, use of natural materials for play, as well as prioritising outdoor play and exploration.
Through our own years of experience, and extensive research, we have found that exposure to nature benefits children in countless ways. It improves mood, anxiety symptoms, problem-solving ability, general cognitive ability, self-discipline and social relations.
To see a good summary of the benefits of nature for children, please click here.
Activities
Summary
EYFS
Emotional Intelligence
Creativity & Innovation
Summary
We place great importance on developing children’s emotional intelligence and creativity in an environment that is natural. And all of this is done within the EYFS framework to help ensure all major children’s milestones are met.
EYFS
Whilst we place an emphasis on developing our children’s emotional intelligence, creativity and innovation as experience and research has shown us it makes the biggest positive impact, we do this within and adhere to the EYFS framework to help ensure holistic development and that all major milestones are met.
According to the UK Government “the early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old” (source).
It includes; communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, expressive arts and design
Emotional Intelligence
We prioritise developing children’s emotional intelligence (EQ), and it has been said that EQ is the new IQ, but why? It can be explained best in three layers (what is EQ, the general benefits of developing it, and the specific benefits for children). Our EQ approach is completely research-backed.
Emotional intelligence is a set of skills associated with monitoring one’s own and others’ emotions, and the ability to use emotions to guide one’s thinking and actions (Salovey & Mayer 1990).
Emotions impact our attention, memory, and learning; our ability to build relationships with others; and our physical and mental health (Salovey & Mayer 1990).
Children with higher emotional intelligence are better able to pay attention, are more engaged in school, have more positive relationships, and are more empathic (Raver, Garner, & Smith-Donald 2007; Eggum et al. 2011). They also regulate their behaviors better and earn higher grades (Rivers et al. 2012).
Creativity & Innovation
We place a great focus on nurturing and developing creativity among all children in our care. Why? Because our experience and mounting research shows that there are numerous tangible benefits of doing so.
Exercising and developing creativity improves problem-solving ability, self-confidence, fine motor skills, concentration and focus and physical development.
Nutrition
Purple Jay Nurseries believe healthy nutrition is fundamentally important to good mental and physical wellbeing. We provide all our children with fresh, healthy, varied, nutritionally balanced meals that are cooked, on-site, every day, by our trained kitchen staff.
Further, we have robust procedures in place to ensure all children that have any food intolerances/allergies are protected from the allergen(s).
Safety & Security
We take safety and security exceptionally seriously.
We invest heavily in ensuring our nurseries are always as safe and secure as possible and are routinely reviewing and improving our procedures and protocols.
From security cameras to daily nursery security sweeps. We cover all bases so you can have the peace of mind you deserve.
do you want to find out more?
Then speak to us today to discuss your child’s learning and development…