Our Early Years Foundation Stage provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where young children develop a love for learning through play and exploration.

Our team of experienced and caring Early Years teachers plan learning experiences that appeal to young children’s natural spontaneity and inquisitiveness.

The Early Years curriculum is taught through exciting and child friendly topics.

We recognize that young children deepen their understanding by playing, talking,
observing, questioning, experimenting, reflecting and responding to adults. At NISL we know that if children are happy and secure they will achieve and gain in confidence.

Well-planned play and child led investigations are the key ways in which children learn while simultaneously enjoying themselves and feeling challenged.

Teachers carefully monitor each child throughout the foundation stage to ensure progress is being made and that tasks are well matched to each individual’s ability and needs, as well as to inform teachers and parents of the next step towards achieving the Early Learning Goals.

We firmly believe that the Foundation Stage provides the best possible start to education.

Minimax

(18 months – 2½ years)

In Minimax, our youngest learners explore the world through play in a safe, nurturing environment. Children develop their communication and language by listening to stories, singing songs, and learning new words. They strengthen physical skills through climbing, running, and early fine motor activities like mark-making and playdough. Our focus on personal, social and emotional development helps children build confidence, form relationships and learn to share. They are introduced to literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts, exploring books, colors, shapes, textures, music, and imaginative play.

Maximax

(2 ½ – 3years)

In Maximax, children expand their curiosity and independence. They develop communication skills through conversations, storytelling and rhymes, while enhancing physical development with coordinated movement, self-care routines and early writing practice. Personal, social and emotional growth is nurtured through group activities, turn-taking and building friendships. Children begin literacy and mathematics by recognising letters and sounds, counting, sorting, and identifying patterns. They explore the world around them through nature, animals, community awareness and express themselves through art, music and imaginative role play.

Pre-Reception

(3 – 4 years)

In Pre-Reception, learning becomes more structured while remaining play-based and exploratory. Children develop language and literacy skills by retelling stories, learning letters and sounds, and beginning to read and write simple words. Mathematics is introduced through counting, comparing, and exploring shapes and measurements. Physical development continues with fine motor control and coordinated activities, while personal, social, and emotional skills grow through teamwork, resilience and independence. Children explore science, technology, and the wider world, while expressing creativity through art, music, dance and imaginative play.

Reception Class

(4 – 5 years)

In Reception, children consolidate their learning in preparation for primary school. They confidently use language and communication to share ideas, listen attentively, and engage in storytelling. Literacy and phonics are applied through reading simple texts and writing sentences, while mathematics develops through addition, subtraction, measuring, and problem-solving activities. Physical development is refined through structured PE and handwriting practice and personal, social, and emotional growth is encouraged through leadership, collaboration, and empathy. Children explore science, cultures and the environment, while expressive arts and design allow them to create, perform and imagine in exciting ways.

Celebrating Every Child’s Learning Journey

Across all classes, we prioritise observations and assessments to understand each child’s development and celebrate their achievements. From baseline checks and two-year progress reviews to the EYFS profile, every step is documented to support personalised growth. Strong home-school partnerships ensure parents are fully involved, sharing insights and celebrating milestones together. At our school, every child learns in a diverse, inclusive and play-based environment, building the foundation to become a curious, confident and lifelong learner.