The lookout Way
Our simple philosophy ensures your child/children are individually nurtured, cared for and inspired. We are happiest when children leave us confident, curious, and ready for the next adventure!
We love the outdoors
Children can wander, climb, splash, run, imagine or just dream in our specially designed outdoor spaces, whatever can be achieved indoors can also be achieved outside to! Our free flow ethos means children have free access to the indoor space and garden and outdoor areas throughout the day.
Learning is fun, messy, indoors, outdoors, quiet, together, explorative, child lead and free
The early years are a magical time and we harness every child’s individual sparkle! We nurture that seed of magic with love and care to inspire every individual child.
We believe in family
This is why we have chosen to work with key families. So children, young and old, learn together. The older children relish in the responsibility of helping out, and the younger children have role models to aspire to.
We nurture your child?
We have taken the best elements from a variety of different philosophies and learning theories, including Reggio Emilia, Jerome Bruner, Forest School and Maria Montessori. We are not constricted by one ridged way of thinking, allowing us to be free to find ways to engage and inspire your child, with the best qualified and most experienced staff.
Looking out for your child ↓
Learning Philosophy ↓
Looking out for our world ↓
Parents are partners ↓
Looking out for your child
Health and well-being
We believe strongly in the importance of mental health and wellbeing for everyone, and we aim to support our children, families and staff in both. For the children, we will look to develop mindful practice, being outside in nature, and embracing risk in play to build confidence and resilience. We will encourage children to spend time together, and take time alone when they most need to. Most importantly, through sharing our feelings and developing the words to express our emotions, we and build a nurturing and caring environment in which this can become a normal way to communicate.
We use the quiet time after lunch for meditation and yoga sessions, as well as regular focuses on kindness, gratitude and belonging.
Food and Nutrition
We love food and want to share that love of food with children.
Healthy eating is not just about what we put on the plate. It is about educating the children and giving them the knowledge and independence to make healthy choices that will leave them in good stead for the future.
At The Lookout all our main meals are freshly prepared, cooked and delivered by the Fat Fowl Kitchens, based out of the Shambles and Westview Day nurseries. Specialists in cooking balanced and nutritious meals for little mouths for over 30 years.
We provide Breakfast, Lunch and tea, as well as a morning and afternoon snack for the children. All meals are served with fresh fruit and children have access to fresh water and milk throughout the day. We can accommodate for all diets & special requirements as necessary.
We bake regularly, with children often making breadsticks for snack or delicious treats to share with friends. We are not a strictly sugar free nursery but we limit the use of any added sugar, baking with natural sugars, leaving parents the choice for time together with their children.
The older children are encouraged to help prepare snack and fruit. We help and encourage the children to cut fruit and vegetables safely with the appropriate utensils, helping them to manage risk and gain independence.
But for us at The Lookout meal and snack times offer so much more than just delicious and wholesome food. All staff and children eat together in family groups, serving each other and discussing the adventures they have had that day, building confidence, independence and fostering the sense of family and belonging that makes children safe and secure.
Learning Philosophy
As a nursery we are required to deliver an educational curriculum that meets the government standard of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). This ensures each child understands things like numbers, letters, social skills and reaches specific learning goals ahead of school. We cover the 7 areas of learning in our indoor and outdoor spaces on a daily basis. However, we want children to leave us with much more than that…
Confident and ready for their next adventure!
Each day at the nursery is different and children are constantly encouraged to try new things and reach beyond their comfort zone.
The staff ensure all children are challenged throughout the day, planning the space carefully to ensure all children can get an individual outcome from a simple activity – this may be counting steps on the stairs, gaining the confidence to play with new friends or reaching he next branch on the tree whilst climbing.
We encourage play that is often deemed ‘risky’, playing in the woods and trees, using tools to create beautiful wood creations, or helping prepare meals using real utensils, helping the children gain independence and increase confidence in their own abilities.
Independent, Resiliant and Confident
The world is full of questions and interests and we’ve designed The Lookout to be the same. A wealth of experiences and opportunities stimulate curious little minds, sparking new ideas and encouraging children to ask “what if?” and “why?”.
Our thoughtfully created environments, both indoors and out, allow children to safely explore, investigate, and take on challenges. From mixing potions in the mud kitchen to growing their own vegetables for lunch, they learn how things work, grow, and evolve. Along the way, they develop independence as they make their own choices, resilience as they try, persevere, and try again, and confidence as they share their discoveries with others.
At The Lookout, every adventure, whether big or small, helps children to grow into capable, curious learners who are ready for whatever comes next.
Child led play
At The Lookout, children take the lead. Choosing their own adventures, following their curiosity, and shaping their learning through play. This freedom builds independence, resilience, and confidence as they discover what interests them most.
Awe and Wonder
We nurture those magical moments when children stop, notice, and marvel. Tt a bug on a leaf, the sparkle of frost, or the colours of a rainbow. These experiences spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.
Forest School
Time in the woods helps children to take risks safely, explore nature, and build resilience and self-belief through real adventure. From fire-lighting and den-building to observing wildlife, these experiences inspire curiosity, independence, and a deep connection to the natural world.
Yoga and Mindfulness
Through gentle stretches, breathing, and stillness, children learn how to calm their busy minds and build resilience from the inside out. These mindful moments give them the tools to regulate emotions, develop self-awareness, and carry a sense of calm into their play and learning.
Gardening
By planting, watering, and harvesting, children discover where food comes from and grow independence and responsibility in caring for nature. From digging in the soil to tasting what they’ve grown, they learn patience, perseverance, and the joy of seeing their efforts flourish.
Woodwork
Using real tools safely, children gain confidence, problem-solving skills, and pride in creating something with their own hands. Each project nurtures resilience as they design, build, and adapt, while learning responsibility and respect for the tools they use — and of course, there are always plenty of special treasures to bring home and share.
Community
We celebrate belonging, connecting with our neighbours, local spaces, and each other, so children learn the value of kindness and togetherness. From walks in the nature that surrounds us, litter picking to keep our community clean and visits form locals with lots to share with us! Children develop confidence, empathy, and a strong sense of place in the world around them.
Creativity and Expression
Through music, movement, art, and storytelling, children are free to express themselves in joyful and imaginative ways. Whether singing, dancing, painting, building, or making up their own stories and characters, creativity gives children space to explore ideas, experiment with materials, and share their unique voice with the world.
Nurturing and caring
Life is all about care and respect for others. At a very early age we believe it is vital to encourage children to feel part of a social group where kindness, empathy, and belonging are at the heart of every interaction. At nursery children make new friends with whom they can learn and share, take turns, co-operate, and role model one another. These everyday experiences give children the foundation to grow into thoughtful and considerate members of their wider community.
We feel very strongly that children should respect one another and value both differences and similarities. Through gentle guidance, we encourage children to express their feelings in positive ways, listen to the opinions of others, and begin to see situations from different perspectives. Our skilled staff model empathy and respectful relationships, showing children how to resolve disagreements peacefully, comfort a friend in need, and celebrate each other’s achievements.
As an inclusive setting, we welcome children from all backgrounds and with a wide range of abilities. We place a strong emphasis on communication: Charlotte, the owner and manager, has personal experience raising three children with speech and language challenges, making this a particularly close and passionate area of our practice. At The Lookout we use a range of communication methods beyond spoken words, including expressive art and movement, song, signing, symbols and gesture.
We also nurture children through consistent routines, a calm and welcoming environment, and plenty of opportunities to care for the world around them. From tending to plants and observing wildlife to helping set the table or pouring a drink for a friend, children gain confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully. Small acts of responsibility and kindness build self-esteem while teaching them that caring for others — people, animals, and nature — is part of who we are.
In this way, The Lookout becomes a place where children grow into nurturing, caring individuals with a deep appreciation for the challenges others may face and the joy that comes from supporting one another.
The EYFS at The Lookout
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Communication and Language
Through conversation, storytelling, song, and Makaton signing, children learn to express themselves with confidence and listen to others with care. We celebrate many ways of communicating and encourage children to share their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. -
Physical Development
Outdoors every day, children climb, balance, dig, and run, building strength, coordination, and confidence. We help them understand the importance of healthy food, rest, and exercise, giving them the tools to care for their growing bodies. -
Literacy
Surrounded by books, stories, and mark-making opportunities, children discover the joy of language. From hearing tales about nature and friendship to experimenting with letters and sounds, they begin to build the foundations of reading and writing. -
Mathematics
Through play and exploration, children use maths in meaningful, hands-on ways: counting natural treasures, comparing sizes, measuring ingredients for baking, or spotting patterns in the world around them. -
Understanding the World
By exploring our local environment, caring for plants and animals, and learning about different people and communities, children develop curiosity, empathy, and respect for the wider world. -
Expressive Arts and Design
Creativity flourishes in open-ended play. Children paint with natural materials, dance in the fresh air, build dens, sing songs, and experiment with sound, texture, and colour to express their ideas and emotions. -
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
At the heart of our practice, children learn to build friendships, develop independence, and recognise their own feelings as well as those of others. With gentle guidance and role-modelling, they grow into resilient, caring individuals.
Looking out for our world
At The Lookout, our hope is to inspire children to grow up with care, respect, and responsibility for the world around them. From the earliest age, children are encouraged to look after themselves, each other, and their environment. We recycle, reuse, and upcycle wherever we can, showing children that the choices we make every day have an impact. By using sustainable products and practices, we lead by example and help children see that small steps can make a big difference.
Our beautiful garden and forest spaces give children daily opportunities to explore and connect with nature. From watering plants to caring for wildlife, we build habits of kindness and appreciation that we hope will stay with them for life. Together, we grow herbs and vegetables using water collected in our water butt, and children love tasting their own home-grown produce at snack or mealtimes – learning about biology, healthy eating, and sustainability all at once.
Waste-to-Energy Nappy Disposal
Even nappies are part of our eco journey! By law, nurseries must have nappies collected by a licensed waste company, not placed with general rubbish. At The Lookout we’ve chosen to partner with Green Bottoms, who divert nappies away from landfill and turn them into renewable energy. This means that something unavoidable in nursery life is managed in the most sustainable way possible, showing children that even everyday necessities can be dealt with responsibly.
Eco-Friendly Childcare
We see sustainability as a journey we take together with children and families. Whether it’s making our own natural wipes, reducing waste, recycling rainwater, or choosing low-impact products, we pledge to make thoughtful choices that protect the planet. Using the Eco-Schools framework helps us stay accountable and ensures children are at the centre of our decision-making.
Eco-School Status
Our long-term goal is to achieve Eco-School Status, no small feat for an early years setting! With their own Eco Committee and their seasonal sustainability objectives, children will help guide decisions about waste, water, and energy, ensuring their voices are heard. Step by step, we will work alongside them to create a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone.
Parent Partnership
Managing the best for your child with work, family, and all of lifes commitments is hard work, we know as we have been there…
We offer a totally open door policy, you are always welcome to come and spend time with us, observe us playing and learning or if you need to discuss any element of your child’s time at The Lookout, our door is always open. Simply join us in the garden to play or sample some of our freshly baked treats from over the fire!
We strive to give parents an environment they feel as safe and secure as their children do. We will be easy to work with, and respond how you like to. Some families like face to face chats, others emails and mesages they can respond to when everyone is safely tucked up in bed. We will work with you as we would your child, responsively and collaboratively to make this a home from home for all the family.
We love welcoming families into nursery life and see parents as partners in everything we do. Whether it’s joining us for stay-and-play sessions, seasonal celebrations, or a cosy campfire singsong, there are plenty of chances to be part of the fun. We also make sure your voice is heard through regular surveys, informal chats, and open feedback, so you can help shape the life of our nursery. Together we create a place where children feel safe, connected, and truly at home.
Famly
Famly is a wonderful tool we are introducing to allow us to spend more time with your child and to spend less time doing unnecessary admin! With Famly we can post photos and snippets of your child’s day directly to you throughout the day. You can see what they have been doing, if they have eaten well, nappy changes, meal times, observations and progress tracking. You can also request additional days/sessions, pay your bill or send us a quick update and post photos from home all at the click of a button. Take a look yourself !