Our Aims

At Bradpole Preschool, we believe that every child is unique, capable and deserving of the very best start in life. We provide a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where children feel valued, listened to and confident to explore, play, learn and develop.

We recognise that every child is an individual, with their own interests, strengths, experiences and starting points. Our child-centred approach enables us to get to know each child well and provide learning and care that responds to their individual needs, supporting every child to make progress during their time with us.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure that all children develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and independence they need for their next stage of learning and for life. We build on what children already know and can do, introducing, developing and revisiting learning through meaningful experiences, purposeful play and everyday routines.

We believe that children learn best when they are happy, engaged and having fun. Fun, laughter, play and shared experiences are an important part of our provision. We want children to feel excited about coming to preschool, to develop a love of learning and to create happy memories through friendship, discovery, creativity and exploration.

Our curriculum supports the development of the whole child. Through the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage, we provide rich experiences that develop communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. We recognise that these areas are interconnected and provide children with opportunities to learn through real experiences, play and interaction.

Communication and language are at the heart of our practice. We create opportunities for children to listen, talk, express themselves and develop their vocabulary through conversations, stories, rhymes, songs, small-group experiences and play. We support children to become confident communicators who can share their ideas, thoughts and feelings.

We support children to develop positive relationships, emotional wellbeing and independence. Children are encouraged to recognise and manage their emotions, develop empathy, cooperate with others, take turns, make choices, solve problems and become increasingly confident in completing tasks for themselves.

We provide opportunities for children to develop their physical skills and confidence. Our indoor and outdoor environments encourage children to climb, run, balance, move, explore and develop coordination, while everyday routines support self-care skills such as dressing, hand washing and healthy eating.

Our outdoor provision gives children rich opportunities to explore nature and the local environment, develop curiosity and take managed risks. We value the benefits of outdoor learning and provide experiences that encourage children to investigate, problem solve, develop resilience and build confidence in their own abilities.

We encourage children to be curious about the world around them. Through observation, exploration and hands-on experiences, children investigate nature, materials, cause and effect, people, cultures and technology. We encourage children to ask questions, share ideas and develop an understanding of the world in which they live.

Creativity and self-expression are an important part of our curriculum. Through painting, music, dance, imaginative play and experimentation with different materials, textiles and sounds, children are encouraged to explore their ideas, express themselves and take pride in their creations.

We do this by providing:

A safe, stimulating, nurturing and inclusive environment where children feel secure, valued and confident to explore, play and learn.
A carefully sequenced curriculum that builds on children’s prior knowledge and experiences and enables all children to make progress during their time with us.
A balance of child-initiated play, adult-guided experiences and purposeful learning opportunities, allowing children to follow their interests while being supported to develop new knowledge and skills.
A continuous cycle of observation, assessment, planning and reflection, enabling practitioners to understand each child’s development and identify appropriate next steps.
Responsive interactions and in-the-moment learning, where practitioners follow children’s interests, extend their thinking, introduce new vocabulary and support learning through meaningful conversations and experiences.
A team of dedicated and knowledgeable practitioners who know the children well and work together to provide consistent, high-quality learning and care.
Rich opportunities for communication and language development, including stories, rhymes, songs, conversations, small-group activities and imaginative play.
Opportunities to develop friendships and positive relationships, learning to cooperate, share, take turns, show empathy and respect others.
Opportunities to develop independence and confidence, encouraging children to make choices, complete tasks, care for themselves and take increasing responsibility for their learning and wellbeing.
A stimulating outdoor environment where children can explore nature, develop physical skills, take managed risks, solve problems and build resilience and self-belief.
Opportunities for mathematical thinking through everyday experiences and play, including counting, sorting, pattern, shape, measuring, comparing and problem solving.
Opportunities to develop early literacy, including shared stories, early phonics, mark making, storytelling and an understanding of print in the environment.
Creative and expressive experiences through painting, music, dance, imaginative play and exploration of a wide range of materials, sounds and textures.
Opportunities for fun, laughter and joy, recognising that positive relationships, playful experiences and shared moments of happiness are fundamental to a child’s early learning and development.
Strong partnerships with parents, carers and other professionals, recognising that children thrive when the adults around them work together and share information, knowledge and aspirations.
Effective transition arrangements and links with schools, supporting children and families as they move confidently into their next stage of learning.
A strong Key Person approach, providing children with a consistent, caring adult who knows them well, understands their individual needs and supports them throughout their time with us.

Above all, we aim to know every child, value every child and support every child to flourish. We want children to leave Bradpole Preschool as confident, curious, independent and capable learners, with a strong sense of belonging and a love of learning — having experienced a preschool childhood filled with friendship, fun, laughter, exploration and discovery.