LITTLE CHESTNUTS PRESCHOOL
THE CHILDREN'S DAY
Out in the local community
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We pride ourselves on giving children meaningful, high‑quality experiences that have a real impact on their development. Every day, children enjoy our forest garden, where they can collect bugs, plant seeds, make potions, build and construct, and dig for treasure in the sand. These hands‑on opportunities spark curiosity, imagination and a love of the natural world.
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With parent permission, children also have the chance to visit the park. We are incredibly fortunate to be located near the park grounds, as this allows children to develop their gross motor skills through climbing, swinging and sliding on a wide range of equipment.
Our nursery building is on the grounds of the High House Production Park. This heritage site is huge with lots of space for the children to explore. We have recently managed to secure our own allotment and have made friends with the groundsman who let us pick pears from the trees.
'In the moment' Planning
‘In the moment’ planning is a responsive approach to teaching and learning in which practitioners observe children closely and adapt the curriculum in real time. This way of working focuses on identifying strategies that help adults notice, nurture, and sustain children’s intrinsic motivation to learn. It enables practitioners to respond meaningfully to children’s spontaneous explorations, interests, and interactions with the people and things that matter to them.
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At Little Chestnuts Preschool, this is the approach we choose to embed in our practice. We believe that children learn best when they are empowered to make decisions about their play, follow their fascinations, and engage in experiences that hold genuine meaning for them. By planning responsively, we create an environment where curiosity thrives and learning unfolds naturally.
Free Flow
At Little Chestnuts Preschool, we embrace a free‑flow approach to play. Free‑flow play allows children to move freely between indoor and outdoor environments, choosing where they want to be and what they want to explore. This flexibility creates a richer, more dynamic learning environment where children can follow their interests and engage in experiences that feel meaningful to them.
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Free‑flow play supports children to:
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Develop greater independence and begin to set their own boundaries.
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Learn at their own pace, in ways that suit their individual learning styles.
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Strengthen decision‑making skills and experience the natural consequences of their choices.
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Build an understanding of their environment and how to navigate it confidently.
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Form relationships, collaborate with others, and express their creativity.
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By enabling children to move freely and take ownership of their play, we create a setting where curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning can flourish
Snacks & Lunch
Snack time
Developing independent learners is a core aim of early childhood education, and snack time provides a natural opportunity for children to practise these skills. At Little Chestnuts Preschool, children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own snack routine. They select their own food, pour their own drinks, and wash and dry their plates and cups once they have finished.
We also introduce a range of real tools to support their growing confidence and coordination. Children learn to use knives for spreading and peelers for preparing fruit and vegetables, always with careful adult guidance. These experiences help them build practical life skills, strengthen fine‑motor development, and develop a sense of pride in what they can do for themselves.
Lunchtime
At lunchtime, the children come together as a group to share a meal. This is another valuable learning moment, where adults model positive social behaviours such as good manners, turn‑taking, and respectful conversation. Practitioners also use this time to talk about healthy eating, food choices, and the importance of a varied diet.
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Our aim is for children to enjoy eating, feel confident at the table, and develop lifelong habits that support their health and wellbeing. Lunchtime becomes not just a meal, but a meaningful part of the day where relationships, independence, and understanding of healthy living are nurtured.