Child initiated play

The curriculum at LAS Nursery encourages children to learn and develop their abilities in a fun and supportive environment where they can flourish. 

Children are given freedom and autonomy to choose and direct their own play and learning experiences. This approach allows us to create a more responsive and dynamic learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, experiment, and discover at their own pace. Our role as Educators is to support children in their development by asking open-ended questions, providing new materials to explore, and challenging their thinking.

Overall, where child-initiated play is prioritised, the end result is a joyful, stimulating, and enriching learning environment where children feel empowered, valued, and supported in their growth and development. By honouring children's natural curiosity, creativity, and agency, educators can create a nurturing space where every child can thrive and reach their full potential.

At LAS Nursery, we believe that nature is an invaluable learning environment for our children. We are lucky enough to have our own nursery playground complete with mud kitchens, a bird feeding wall, water station and a dedicated area for our non walkers.

Everyday we spend time outdoors in the fresh air and maximise opportunities to teach the children to appreciate the natural world around us and foster a sense of compassion and responsibility to care for it. 

Our weekly Forest School Sessions are a part of a child-centred inspirational learning process, that develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

More about Forest School.

Every week we put on our high vis and go on an adventure. The aim is to have lots of fun and foster a sense of curiosity as we explore the world around us. 

Our regular excursions take us to the local park where we can been found playing in the adventure playground, sometimes we take our meals for a picnic and we have even had our yoga class there. 

Our older children go in small groups to the local library every week for a story session.  Everyone loves a trip to soft play so we make sure to schedule regular sessions. 

Spitalfields City Farm is a big hit and we are making new animals friends and learning all about them.   

Other outings take place as and when such as trips to the theatre, exploring plants in the garden centre, learning about our area at the Hackney museum, V&A Childhood museum etc.

Our nursery cook prepares all meals and snacks on site throughout the day. We work alongside you to ensure individual dietary requirements are met. Seasonal menus are designed to ensure meals are healthy, nutritional and well-balanced. View our sample menus and more information about Public Health England's guidance on the EYFS requirements for food and drink.

At meal times we sit together around the table in our nursery canteen. This set up encourages independence as children can make their own food choices, serve themselves and put their used plates and cups in the collection area when they've finished.

Our canteen is also where we hold our many celebrations and share our diverse cultural and religious festivities - many of which include food! As a multicultural nursery we embrace opportunities to learn about different cuisines and customs and celebrate each other's traditions together. 

We have a SILVER Healthy Early Years award which means we offer support for health, wellbeing and education.

We are officially a Tooth Friendly Nursery having been awarded a GOLD award for Oral Health.

Our kitchen has the highest food hygiene rating of 5 - very good.