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Get to know us!
Our Mission, Value & Approach
Welcome to Smart Play
At Smart Play, we believe every child deserves a happy, nurturing and inspiring place where they feel safe, valued and excited to learn. Our mission is simple: to create an inclusive environment where children can play, explore, discover and grow at their own pace. Every child is unique, and we celebrate their individual personalities, interests, cultures and abilities. Through meaningful play and carefully planned experiences, we help children develop confidence, curiosity, independence and a lifelong love of learning. Most importantly, we want children to love coming to Smart Play, build happy memories and feel a strong sense of belonging.
Learning Through Play
We believe children learn best when they are actively involved. Our children are encouraged to explore, investigate, create, imagine, make choices and solve problems. Our practitioners follow children's interests and build exciting learning opportunities around what fascinates them. We understand that children develop in different ways and at different times, so our approach is flexible, supportive and centred around the individual child.
Sustainable Learning
Some of the best learning resources are already around us. At Smart Play, children explore natural, recycled and everyday materials such as cardboard boxes, tubes, containers, leaves and sticks. A cardboard box might become a bus, a house or a castle. A collection of leaves and sticks might inspire artwork, counting or imaginative play. These open-ended experiences encourage creativity, curiosity and problem-solving while helping children begin to understand the importance of reusing resources and caring for our world.
Our Enrichment Programme
We want children to experience learning in lots of different ways. Our enrichment activities provide exciting opportunities to move, create, investigate and discover.
Cooking
Our children enjoy hands-on cooking experiences where they help prepare real food and dishes, including soups, pasta and other nutritious meals. Mixing, pouring, measuring and preparing ingredients helps develop fine motor skills, early mathematics, communication and independence - as well as giving children the excitement of making something themselves.
Science & Discovery
Our practical science activities encourage children to wonder, investigate and ask questions. From floating and sinking and colour mixing to exploring nature and changes in materials, children are encouraged to predict what might happen and then discover the answer for themselves.
Music & Movement
Children sing, dance, explore rhythm and discover different ways of moving their bodies. These fun and energetic sessions develop listening, coordination, creativity, confidence and physical skills while giving children the freedom to express themselves.
Yoga & Mindfulness
Our child-friendly yoga and mindfulness sessions give children a chance to slow down, stretch, breathe and relax. Through simple movements and breathing exercises, children develop balance, flexibility and core strength while beginning to learn simple ways to manage their emotions and find moments of calm.
Obstacle Courses
Our obstacle courses encourage children to climb, crawl, balance, jump and navigate their way through different challenges. Alongside developing physical skills and coordination, children learn to persevere, try again and feel proud of what they can achieve.
Learning by Doing
At Smart Play, everything we offer has a purpose. Through cooking, science, music, movement, creative activities and play, children have opportunities to explore, communicate, experiment, problem-solve and become increasingly independent.
Above all, we want children to experience the joy of learning by doing.
Every Child Has a Voice
We listen to our children. Children communicate through words, gestures, expressions, actions and play. Our practitioners take time to understand what children are telling us and give them opportunities to make choices, share ideas and influence their experiences. When children know they are listened to, they grow in confidence, independence and self-belief.
Celebrating Every Family
Smart Play is proud to be part of a wonderfully diverse community. We welcome and celebrate different cultures, languages, traditions and family backgrounds. Children who are learning English as an additional language are supported while their home language and cultural identity are respected and valued. We want every child and every family to feel that they belong at Smart Play.
Supporting Children with SEND
We are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to participate, learn and thrive.
Our practitioners and SENCo work closely with families and other professionals where additional support is needed. We use an Assess - Plan - Do - Review approach to make sure support is personalised and regularly reviewed.
Parents are an important part of this process because nobody knows a child better than their family.
Working Together with Parents
Families are at the heart of Smart Play. We believe children flourish when nursery and home work together. We encourage open communication and value parents' knowledge, ideas and understanding of their child. By sharing children's interests, achievements and next steps, we can work together to give every child the strongest possible start.
THE SMART PLAY PROMISE
I am safe.
I am valued.
I am listened to.
I belong.
I can explore.
I can be curious.
I can have a go.
I can learn and grow.
This is Smart Play - a place to belong, explore, discover and grow.