The Meadow Lane Philosophy
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old. It promotes quality teaching and child-led learning to ensure their development provides the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.
A Parents Guide to the EYFS (please see here for more information)
Each child at Meadow Lane Children’s Nursery assigned a key educator, who is responsible for monitoring and recording your child’s ongoing development.
Their role is to help ensure that your child’s care is tailored and meets their individual needs, to help your child become familiar with us and our setting, offer a settled relationship for your child and help build a strong relationship with us and you as parents. At Meadow Lane Children’s Nursery we use individual Learning Journeys, to capture your child’s daily activities and ongoing learning and development, these will be regularly shared with you by your child’s key educator.
“The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. It was developed after World War II by a teacher, Loris Malaguzzi, and parents in the villages around Reggio Emilia in Italy. Following the war, people believed that children were in need of a new way of learning. The assumption of Malaguzzi and the parents was that people form their own personality during early years of development and that children are endowed with a hundred languages through which they can express their ideas. The aim of this approach is teaching how to use these symbolic languages (eg., painting, sculpting, drama) in everyday life. The program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum.“
The Reggio Emilia Approach is a gentle approach to children’s learning, it was developed after World War II by a teacher, Loris Malaguzzi, and parents in the villages around Reggio Emilia in Italy.
The approach allows children to develop individually at their own pace. Within the Reggio Emilia Approach, the environment plays an important role, children are given the freedom to explore and discover and in-turn learn and develop many skills such as negotiation, confidence, social skills, literacy and maths.
This enables the children to enjoy and really take in what they are learning, each in their individual way.
What is our image of the child?
We believe children are capable, curious, little researchers, who are individually in touch with their natural surroundings. Our task is to help children communicate with the world, using their potential strengths and languages and to overcome any obstacles presented by our culture.
For more information contact us or alternatively visit the below links:
www.aneverydaystory.com/beginners-guide-to-reggio-emilia
In this approach, there is the belief that children have rights and should be given opportunities to develop their potential. Children are believed as knowledge bearers, so they are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas about everything they could meet or do during the day.
The Reggio Emilia philosophy is based upon the following set of principles:
- Children must have some control over the direction of their learning;
- Children must be able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening, and observing;
- Children have a relationship with other children and with material items in the world that children must be allowed to explore;
- Children must have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.
What Our Parents Say
Before becoming a parent, I imagined that sending my children to nursery would be relatively easy. But after having Max, I truly understood how hard it is to place your child in someone else’s care. It’s a deeply emotional decision, and one that comes with far more weight than I had ever expected.
My son, Max, started just before his second birthday. From the very beginning, it was clear that Meadow Lane is a truly special place. The physical environment they provide is exceptional, but what makes it even more unique is the way children are welcomed and empowered. Even at such a young age, they are given a voice and the ability to influence their daily experiences, which is incredibly meaningful.
Each day at Meadow Lane is filled with rich, hands-on experiences. While learning is clearly a priority, it is the real-life experiences that stand out the most. The children have access to animals, spend extensive time outdoors, and are encouraged to explore, play, and learn through adventure in the nursery’s expansive gardens. Growing their own vegetables and food is not only engaging but also teaches valuable life lessons that I deeply appreciate.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Meadow Lane is the level of trust they place in the children. This fosters a strong sense of independence that grows with every day they attend. It is wonderful to see how capable and confident the children become in such a nurturing environment.
The staff are truly exceptional. It is evident that each team member has been carefully chosen, and their dedication shines through in everything they do. The children are always at the heart of their care and attention.
Because of the positive experience we had with Max, I felt completely confident enrolling my daughter at a much younger age. It was a far easier decision the second time, built on the trust and reassurance Meadow Lane has given us.
As someone who finds it difficult to be away from my children, I cannot overstate how supportive the nursery has been, not only towards the children but towards me as a parent. They go above and beyond to provide reassurance and genuinely listen to parents’ needs. While they maintain strong procedures to ensure everything runs smoothly, they remain flexible and accommodating wherever possible.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found a childcare setting like Meadow Lane. It is a place where children truly thrive, and where parents feel supported every step of the way.