Little Squirrels Pedagogy

Welcome to Little Squirrels, when you visit our setting, we want you to feel at home. We want children and parents to feel that they are coming into an extension of their home, somewhere they feel calm and safe. We have low lights, soft furnishings, a comfortable calm atmosphere, and kind friendly practitioners. We believe that when children are in an environment where they are completely comfortable, then they play, learn and develop to their full potential. Children are shown how to be thankful and learn about life skills through being involved in daily routines They will learn how to build  relationships, positive language and team work by observing the practitioners and being an important part of our Little Squirrels family.

We allow children’s play to be limitless, children have access to all resources and can extend the play without boundaries. Practitioners will always be involved in children’s play even if they are just observing, ready to offer support and extend if needed. We do not put any pressure on the children to direct their play a certain way, daily routines can fit around the children’s play if they are engaged. We believe that in order to build a relationship with children we need to engage in play too. Our outdoor play gives the same opportunities as inside play. Little Squirrels are big supporters of risky play, the benefits of risky play on children’s ability to make own decisions test their own abilities and limits, that is a skill they will take through life. It is also putting the children in control building confidence, independence, and positive self-esteem. Our children get the same support from practitioners outside as they do inside, practitioners will be engaged in play outdoors to further learning and play. This supports Froebel’s theory on the environment, he states that play allows children to relate to inner worlds of feeling and imagination. Children need ownership over their play to enable them to fully express themselves.

Over our years of working together as a team, we have been inspired by inspirational theorists and practitioners. Like minded people , that have a real passion for early years and child development.