How your child learns at Tilly-Mints

A unique child

Every child is unique, capable and full of potential. Practitioners take time to know each child’s interests, personality and learning style.

Positive relationships

Secure, supportive relationships help children feel safe every step of the way.

Enabling environments

Stimulating indoor and outdoor spaces full of opportunity for discovery.

Our intent in the Baby Room is to provide a nurturing and responsive environment where every baby feels safe, secure and valued. We understand that babies learn best through warm relationships, familiar routines and sensitive interactions with trusted adults.

We support a positive transition into nursery through carefully planned settling-in visits, working closely with parents and carers to understand each baby’s individual routines, needs, interests and preferences. This strong partnership helps us provide consistency between home and nursery.

Communication and early language are encouraged through songs with actions, stories containing rhyme and repetition, and meaningful conversations throughout the day. Practitioners model positive language, behaviour and attitudes, responding warmly to babies’ sounds, gestures, facial expressions and early words.

Physical development is supported through encouragement, floor-based exploration and carefully selected equipment. Babies are given opportunities to reach, roll, crawl, pull themselves up, stand, cruise and walk when they are developmentally ready.

By building secure and positive relationships, we give babies the confidence to explore their environment, develop their independence and begin forming the foundations for future learning.

Our intent in the 2 to 3 Room is to support children’s rapidly developing communication skills, help them begin to understand and regulate their emotions, and prepare them for a positive transition into the Preschool Room.

We continuously create a language-rich environment where practitioners model clear and appropriate language, encourage engagement and use open-ended questions to extend children’s thinking. Stories, songs, rhymes and actions are used throughout the day to develop vocabulary, listening, attention and confidence in communicating with others.

Children are supported to understand the room’s Golden Rules, familiar routines and age-appropriate expectations. Practitioners explain what will happen during the day and prepare children for changes, helping them feel safe, secure and able to take their next steps with confidence.

Transitions into the Preschool Room are carefully planned around each individual child. An “All About Me” form is completed to ensure that the new staff understand the child’s needs, interests, likes, dislikes and current stage of development. Children also take part in visits to their new room, allowing them to become familiar with the environment, practitioners and routines before they move.

Through consistent support, positive relationships and clear guidance, children begin to develop the language and emotional skills they need to express themselves, make choices and participate confidently in nursery life.

Our intent in the Preschool Room is to equip children with the independence, confidence, emotional awareness and social skills they need for a successful transition to school and the next stage of their learning.

Independence is promoted through meaningful everyday experiences. Children are encouraged to hang their own coats on their pegs, practise putting their coats on and taking them off, care for their belongings and take increasing responsibility within the room.

At mealtimes, children are given opportunities to serve themselves and share food placed on the table. This develops independence, coordination, confidence, turn-taking and an understanding of making appropriate choices.

Children are encouraged to contribute to their learning environment by choosing activities and resources for the play tables. Practitioners follow children’s interests while also providing purposeful experiences that introduce new ideas, build knowledge and extend learning.

We talk openly about feelings, helping children identify and name different emotions, understand what may cause them and learn positive ways to express and manage how they feel. Through supportive relationships, group experiences and play, children develop the core skills needed to form friendships, cooperate with others and adapt their behaviour in different social situations.

Songs, stories and conversations remain an important part of our curriculum. Practitioners act as positive role models, use encouraging language and ask open-ended questions that help children think, explain their ideas, solve problems and become confident communicators.

Communication and Language

We encourage children to listen carefully, share their thoughts and express themselves confidently through conversations, songs and stories.

Outcome: Confident communicators who listen, understand and use language effectively.

Physical Development

From outdoor adventures to fine motor play, we help children strengthen coordination, balance and physical confidence.

Outcome: Control and movement, plus healthy choices about exercise, eating and self-care.

Personal, Social & Emotional

We nurture confidence, independence and a sense of belonging through positive relationships and gentle guidance.

Outcome: Happy, resilient learners who play cooperatively and show empathy.

Literacy

We introduce the magic of books, stories and early writing through fun, play-based experiences that spark imagination.

Outcome: Children link sounds to letters, recognise words and begin early reading and writing.

Mathematics

Everyday play, counting songs and problem-solving games help children explore numbers, shapes, patterns and measures.

Outcome: Confidence using numbers and mathematical ideas in daily life.

Understanding the World

We encourage curiosity about nature, different cultures and technology, helping children make sense of their environment and community.

Outcome: Awareness of the world with curiosity, respect and understanding.

Expressive Arts and Design

Creativity is celebrated! Children express themselves through art, music, dance, role play and imaginative activities.

Outcome: Children explore materials and media, confidently sharing thoughts, ideas and feelings.