Our Approach

At Treetops Nursery we believe that children learn best in a natural and neutral environment. We create tranquil spaces for children to develop by using calming colours, textures and themes in our nurseries with heuristic resources which aren’t garish, distracting or over stimulating.

Neutrals & naturals ( The overstimulation situation)

Research shows that bright walls and plastic toys can sometimes make children feel overstimulated, which may lead to tiredness or crankiness. At Treetops, we believe that the right kind of stimulation is important for children’s growth and learning. That’s why we fill our nursery with natural materials like wood, wicker, shells, pinecones, and stones, as well as open-ended resources. These items offer a variety of textures, scents, and experiences, sparking children’s curiosity and encouraging them to explore and stay engaged. Our nursery is set up to follow each child’s interests and learning journey, with extension baskets in every area so children can develop their play ideas together. By following the Curiosity Approach, we invite children to discover and investigate every corner of the room in their own way.

A curiosity approach (Creating a world of magic & wonder)

The Curiosity Approach is about creating a world of magic and wonder; a place to tinker and explore whilst in a welcoming and safe environment. We promote this throughout Treetops Nursery, creating a special place where children are the centre of everything, following their hearts and minds with a sense of incredible awe and wonder. The Curiosity Approach is based on theories taken from a whole host of pedagogies, including Reggio, Steiner and Montessori. We believe the Curiosity Approach is essential to early years development because it is the very foundation of learning. It is this that drives children in their early years to explore, do, and think for themselves. In particular, The Curiosity Approach is about developing: independent thinking, strong non-verbal communication skills, language and verbal communication skills, problem-solving and becoming a lifelong learner.

Topical (Thematic) Learning

Topical or thematic learning involves organising the curriculum around a central theme or topic—such as “seasons,” “animals,” or “our world.” All activities, whether in language, maths, science, or art, are connected to this theme, creating a holistic and meaningful learning experience for young children. At Treetops we have an overarching topic each half term with the activities being Bi weekly, in the moment or as the child lead them to change. These topics allows us to develop children in the 7 areas of learning.

Key Benefits of Topical Learning in Early Years

Deeper Cognitive Development

Children make connections between different concepts and ideas by exploring a topic from multiple angles (e.g., reading stories, hands-on activities, discussions).
This approach enhances critical thinking, memory retention, and understanding, as children encounter the theme in various contexts.

Social and Emotional Growth

Thematic learning often involves collaborative projects and group discussions, promoting communication, cooperation, and empathy.
Children can express themselves creatively and explore their emotions through storytelling, role-play, and art, leading to greater self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Physical and Sensory Engagement

Themes can be incorporated into movement games and sensory play, supporting motor skill development.
For example, a theme about animals might include games where children imitate animal movements, enhancing both physical skills and understanding of the topic.

Catering to Different Learning Styles

Thematic learning is adaptable to various learning styles – visual, auditory, kinaesthetic – ensuring all children can engage in ways that suit them best.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

Immersing children in a theme over several weeks fosters creativity and deeper engagement.
Thematic learning encourages inquiry, problem-solving, and the ability to draw connections between ideas, which are essential skills for lifelong learning.

Language and Literacy Development

Exposure to rich narratives and vocabulary within a theme helps expand children’s language, comprehension, and communication skills.
Storytelling and themed discussions make complex ideas more accessible and memorable.

Holistic and Contextual Learning

Learning in context helps children grasp abstract concepts more easily, as they see how different subjects interconnect within a real-world theme.

Join our journey

Discover a world of learning through heuristic play. Get in contact to book your visit and meet our team of childcare professionals.