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Have you observed a ‘professional cuddler’ massage a baby to sleep, or offer an extra pair of arms to comfort a child? That’s what you’ll find at Atelier, where the wellbeing of babies and young children is at the centre of operations.
It is a nurturing community where babies and toddlers are valued as competent and capable individuals. The setting’s approach, grounded in Attachment Theory and inspired by Reggio Emilia, empowers children to become confident, creative learners.
With the introduction of the Early Years Entitlement from nine months, Atelier chose to focus on the quality of care and learning support rather than rapidly expanding nursery places. Educators questioned how to better understand the learning processes of babies and toddlers, the connection between play and learning, and the kind of provision and interaction young children need.
Atelier’s baby quality approach builds its practices and extensive research in early childhood development, particularly the pioneering work of Peter Elfer. It formulated a framework that places relationships at the heart of everything – secure attachments between children, their families and staff in order to ensure healthy emotional development. The key family approach provides personalised care and attention, fostering a sense of security and belongingfor every child. Key people, in partnership with parents, are able to follow the personalised care and educational plans of each child.
It is understood that each child is unique, with their own strengths, interests and developmental pace. The setting’s approach enables staff to tailor their interactions to support each child’s holistic development, ensuring that they feel valued, understood and supported in their learning journey.
In addition to the emotional environment, educators have reconsidered the physical environment. Spaces are designed to stimulate curiosity, imagination and discovery, from soft, tactile materials to soothing music and natural elements such as clay.
Babies and toddlers are viewed as active participants in their own learning journey, with the role of educators being to scaffold their experiences, allowing them to flourish at their own pace.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Growing Places Community Childcare Centres – Hampshire
At Growing Places it is believed that all babies are born capable, curious and sociable. Following the pandemic, it was felt that baby room educators needed empowering to realise this again, so time was given for them to reflect weekly with each other. Supported by the company Baby Lead, they focused on the babies’ interests and fascinations while developing their knowledge around schemas, encounters and processes. This had a positive impact on the opportunities the babies had to explore, and staff turned their attention to the benefits of babies encountering nature.
FINALISTS
The Close Day Nursery School – Banbury, Oxfordshire
Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries – Northolt, West London
CRITERION
For an early years provision displaying exemplary practice in caring for and educating the youngest children.
