Discover the importance of learning through play.
At our childcare setting, we believe that every child is a unique, capable, and curious learner. Our pedagogy is centred on nurturing children's confidence, independence, creativity, and love of learning through meaningful play, exploration, and positive relationships. We recognise that children learn best when they feel safe, valued, respected, and inspired, and we provide a rich, stimulating environment where every child can thrive.
Our long-term curriculum is carefully designed to build children's knowledge, skills, and understanding progressively across all areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Through a balance of child-led exploration and thoughtfully planned adult-guided experiences, we encourage children to investigate, question, create, solve problems, and develop resilience. We celebrate each child's interests while ensuring they are exposed to a broad range of experiences that prepare them for future learning.
Above all, we want every child to leave our childcare setting with a strong sense of belonging, a belief in their own abilities, and the confidence to embrace the next stage of their educational journey. Our ambition is not only to prepare children for school but to equip them with the lifelong characteristics of effective learning — playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically — that will support them throughout their lives.
Our curriculum is guided by children's interests, developmental needs and individual strengths. Through carefully planned activities and spontaneous learning opportunities, we support all areas of development. We encourage children to become curious, independent learners by providing hands-on experiences that inspire imagination, problem solving and critical thinking.
Our experienced practitioners carefully observe each child's progress and use these observations to plan activities that challenge and support their next steps in learning. We work closely with families to ensure every child receives consistent support both at home and within the setting.
We celebrate every achievement, big or small, helping children develop the skills, confidence and enthusiasm they need to flourish. Our philosophy reflects our belief that through joyful play and positive experiences, little minds can grow, thrive and bloom.
Open all year round, including school holidays, with a two-week closure over Christmas and New Year. Our first planning year runs from November 2026 through October 2027, with a plan for every open week, mapped to the seven areas of learning in the EYFS statutory framework. Seasonal, religious and cultural events are woven into our learning throughout the year.
Planning closure: 21 December 2026–3 January 2027. Plans resume on 4 January 2027.
2 November – 18 December 2026
Seven open weeks from November. Closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year: 21 December–3 January.
4 January – 26 March 2027
Twelve weekly plans, including school half-term, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Mothering Sunday and Eid al-Fitr. No school-holiday break.
29 March – 23 July 2027
Seventeen individual weekly plans, including the school Easter and half-term holidays. Learning and daily outings continue throughout.
26 July – 29 October 2027
Fourteen weekly plans covering the summer school holidays, September and October, including half-term.
Open all year round, including school holidays, with a two-week closure over Christmas and New Year.
Planning closure: 21 December 2026–3 January 2027. Plans resume on 4 January 2027.
Our opening week. Gentle settling-in sessions, getting to know our practitioners and each other, and building the routines that make children feel safe and belonged.
Occasion: Bonfire Night — Thursday 5 November
EYFS: PSED, Communication & Language
Hungry
Say the word alongside the sign during everyday play, meals and conversations.
We aim to get out on our daily outings every day, but this depends on how the children are settling with us and on the weather. If we stay in, we plan a matching activity here instead.
Seven open weeks from November. Closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year: 21 December–3 January.
Our opening week. Gentle settling-in sessions, getting to know our practitioners and each other, and building the routines that make children feel safe and belonged.
Makaton sign of the week: Hungry
The triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, told through the story of Rama and Sita. Bright colours, glowing lamps and the joy of welcoming people in.
Makaton sign of the week: Thirsty
A gentle, age-appropriate look at remembrance and at the people who help us — with poppies, quiet moments and letters of thanks.
Makaton sign of the week: Happy
The life and teachings of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism: everyone is equal, everyone is welcome, and we all share what we have.
Makaton sign of the week: Sad
Learning to wait, to hope and to notice light in the darkest weeks of the year — with our advent calendar and a lantern walk.
Makaton sign of the week: Milk
The Jewish festival of rededication: a small jar of oil that lasted eight nights, a menorah lit a little brighter each evening, and games played together.
Makaton sign of the week: Cuddle
Sharing the nativity simply and warmly — stars, shepherds, animals and the joy of welcoming a new baby — alongside songs from many traditions.
Makaton sign of the week: Friend
Twelve weekly plans, including school half-term, Ramadan, Chinese New Year, Mothering Sunday and Eid al-Fitr. No school-holiday break.
Settling back after Christmas, sharing our news, and thinking about what we would like to try, learn and become braver at this year.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Families come in every shape — and every one of them is special. Celebrating the people, languages and traditions that make a house a home.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Trees give us so much — fruit, shade, homes for birds and clean air. We plant, water and watch, and learn to care for living things.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
What happens to minibeasts and animals when the weather turns cold? Frozen investigations, dens and plenty of cold-weather curiosity.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The Spring Festival: the Great Race of the zodiac animals, red and gold everywhere, family feasts and welcoming good fortune.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Muslims fast through the daylight hours, pray, read the Qur'an and give to others. We talk about waiting, kindness and family iftar tables — and about Lent for our Christian friends.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Who is awake when we are asleep? Nocturnal animals, moon shapes and the magic of a room with the lights low.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Our families have travelled from many places to reach Egham. Maps, suitcases, journeys and the stories of how we all arrived.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Sun, wind and rain make the world move. We chase sunbows, fill buckets and measure the sky.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The joy that ends Ramadan: new clothes, gifts, sweets, visits and gratitude. We learn the greeting and share in the happiness.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The grown-ups who care for us every day. Gratitude, helping hands and the flowers and symbols of our four nations.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Colour, costumes and the Easter story of new life, told simply and warmly. Learning continues through the school Easter holidays.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Seventeen individual weekly plans, including the school Easter and half-term holidays. Learning and daily outings continue throughout.
Into longer days, with learning continuing through the school holidays. Bugs, worms and snails wake up alongside our daily outings.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The Sikh new year and harvest festival: gratitude for the crop, joyful bhangra dancing, and the community spirit of the gurdwara.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The Sikh new year and harvest festival: gratitude for the crop, joyful bhangra dancing, and the community spirit of the gurdwara. Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The Jewish story of Exodus and freedom, alongside our promise to look after the planet we share.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The Jewish story of Exodus and freedom, alongside our promise to look after the planet we share. Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
New life everywhere. Where do babies come from, how do they grow, and how do we care for something smaller than us?
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
New life everywhere. Where do babies come from, how do they grow, and how do we care for something smaller than us? Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Two great lessons in generosity: Muslims sharing meat in three parts with family, friends and neighbours, and Buddhists honouring the Buddha with kindness to all living things.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Two great lessons in generosity: Muslims sharing meat in three parts with family, friends and neighbours, and Buddhists honouring the Buddha with kindness to all living things. Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Animals from every corner of the world, what they need to survive, and how we can protect the places they live.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Animals from every corner of the world, what they need to survive, and how we can protect the places they live. Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The longest days of the year. Sun safety, water and sand play, and celebrating the grown-ups who look after us.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The longest days of the year. Sun safety, water and sand play, and celebrating the grown-ups who look after us. Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Egham is our classroom. Library trips, the High Street, the fire station and the park — with independence and road safety growing all the time.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Egham is our classroom. Library trips, the High Street, the fire station and the park — with independence and road safety growing all the time. Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Looking back on how far we have come since November, saying a happy goodbye to our friends heading to Reception, and celebrating our first year together.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Looking back on how far we have come since November, saying a happy goodbye to our friends heading to Reception, and celebrating our first year together. Build on last week's discoveries with new materials, collaborative play and children's own ideas.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Fourteen weekly plans covering the summer school holidays, September and October, including half-term.
Discover seasonal changes and practise outdoor exploration.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Investigate water through prediction and supervised experiments.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Explore rhythm, listening and moving together.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Explore journeys and practise road safety.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Create patterns in nature, artwork and everyday objects.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Tell our own stories through imaginative play.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Welcome new friends and support school transitions while remaining open.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Celebrate identities, preferences and independence.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Discover seasonal produce and where food comes from.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Observe changing trees and explore natural colours and textures.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Discover how wildlife prepares for colder weather.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Recognise helpers and practise kindness and safety.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Explore light and welcome celebrations shared by families.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
Explore autumn textures and gentle seasonal stories.
Makaton sign of the week: To be confirmed
The dates below run from our opening month through to the end of our first year. Where a festival follows the moon, we always confirm the exact day with our families.
We want every child to grow up curious and kind about the world their neighbours live in. So we teach about beliefs — we never ask a child to adopt one.
Themes are a starting point — we adapt week to week to follow children's fascinations, celebrate the festivals meaningful to our families and respond to the world around us.
