The Playroom
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What ages of children do you accept?

We welcome children from birth to 5 years old.
Our setting is tailored to support the full Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) journey, in line with the latest 2025 guidance and Birth to Five Matters.

2. What is your educational approach?

We nurture a child’s natural joy, curiosity, and creativity through immersive learning experiences, carefully aligned with the EYFS 2024 learning areas and the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL).

We focus on:

• Joyful exploration

• Spiritual connection with nature and others

• Harmonic resonance between adult and child during play and learning.

3. How do you support children's learning and development?

We design every day around the principles of active, immersive learning.
Our environment encourages:

• Playing and Exploring: Children investigate and experience things firsthand.

• Active Learning: Children show perseverance and pride in what they achieve.

• Creating and Thinking Critically: Children develop ideas, make links, and solve problems independently.

Our curriculum is responsive to each child's unique developmental pathway, adapting activities based on their interests and stage of growth.

4. How do you link to the EYFS 2025 framework?

We fully align with the updated 2025 EYFS Areas of Learning:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Circle Time and emotional literacy)

• Physical Development (Outdoor play, dance, and movement)

• Communication and Language (Storytelling, books, rich conversations)

• Literacy and Writing (Emergent writing through natural curiosity)

• Mathematics (Hands-on problem-solving through daily exploration)

• Understanding the World (Gardening, science, and community awareness)

• Expressive Arts and Design (Art, music, storytelling, performance)

Each area is woven into our spiral curriculum to revisit, deepen, and extend learning naturally over time.

5. What are the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) and how do you support them?

The Characteristics of Effective Learning are how children learn, not just what they learn.
At The Playroom, we nurture:

• Playing and Exploring: Open-ended resources and sensory environments spark wonder.
  
  

• Active Learning: Children are supported to persist and to find pride in their efforts.
  
  

• Thinking Creatively and Critically: We encourage autonomy, problem-solving, and imaginative projects.
  
  

Our core ethos of joy, spirit and resonance naturally strengthens these characteristics every day.

6. What does a typical day look like?

Each day flows like a gentle, dynamic rhythm:

• Morning Circle Time (stories, songs, greetings)

• Free Play and Discovery Zones (outdoors and indoors)

• Focused Activities (creative arts, early numeracy, physical play)

• Snack and Mealtimes (community-style, respectful of independence)

• Rest and Reflection (quiet time or story-sharing)

• Afternoon Explorations (projects, outings, seasonal themes)

The environment is child-led and allows flexibility for individual needs

7. How do you involve parents and families?

We see parents as partners in learning.
We offer:

• Regular informal updates and photos.

• Easy conversations at drop-off and pick-up.

• Support with transitions to school or other settings.

We aim to build a real community of care between staff, children, and families.

8.  Do children spend time outdoors?

Absolutely!
Outdoor play is a daily essential, come rain or shine.
Nature-based experiences support sensory development, resilience, emotional regulation, and joy.
We have beautiful gardens, and we also integrate eco-awareness and sustainability into our ethos.

9. What are your class sizes and adult-to-child ratios?

We keep our groups small and intimate.
Our ratios fully meet and often exceed the government requirements, ensuring each child is truly seen, heard, and celebrated.

10. What is your approach to behaviour and emotional regulation?

We foster emotional intelligence through positive guidance, modelling kindness, and restorative conversations.
Children are supported to understand their feelings, make amends where needed, and develop natural empathy over time.

11.. How do you prepare children for school?

We prepare children not only academically but emotionally and socially for the next step in their journey.
Through:

• Building strong emotional foundations.

• Developing independence and responsibility.

• Encouraging a resilient love of learning.

We believe a joyful, confident child is the best prepared for life’s adventures ahead.