Our Pedagogy at Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries: Nurturing Curiosity Through Nature and Play

At Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries, our approach to early years education is centered on creating a rich, nurturing environment that fosters curiosity, exploration, and a love for learning. Our pedagogy is guided by the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and the Curiosity Approach.

We believe that children learn best when they are engaged in meaningful, hands-on experiences that spark their imagination and encourage them to explore the world around them. Here’s how we implement this vision through our curriculum, planning, and environment.

Following the EYFS Framework

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to five years old. At Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries, we ensure that our pedagogy aligns with this framework, focusing on the seven areas of learning and development:

• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social, and emotional development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Our educators plan activities and experiences that help children meet key developmental milestones while ensuring their individual needs and interests are at the heart of everything we do. You can learn more about the EYFS framework here.

The Curiosity Approach: Encouraging Exploration and Wonder

In addition to the EYFS, we adopt principles from the Curiosity Approach, which inspires children to think independently, use their imagination, and explore the world around them with awe and wonder. This child-led approach encourages freedom in learning, allowing children to follow their natural curiosity and make discoveries through play.

Instead of traditional plastic toys, we use open-ended resources—such as natural materials, loose parts, and real-world objects—encouraging children to think creatively and engage in deeper learning experiences. The Curiosity Approach promotes mindful, intentional teaching, where educators act as facilitators of learning, providing gentle guidance and allowing children the space to direct their own play.

You can explore more about the Curiosity Approach here.

Learning Through Nature: Outdoor Play and Exploration

At Hungry Caterpillar, we place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, believing that nature offers a powerful environment for children to develop their physical, social, and cognitive skills. Our outdoor spaces are seen as extensions of the indoor learning environment, filled with opportunities for children to explore, problem-solve, and engage their senses.

We encourage children to play outdoors in all weather conditions, whether they are digging in the mud kitchen, planting in the garden, or observing the changing seasons. These experiences help children connect with the natural world, foster resilience, and develop a sense of responsibility for their environment.

Being outdoors also promotes risk-taking, teamwork, and confidence, as children navigate uneven surfaces, build dens, and collaborate on shared projects. This type of active, hands-on learning is essential for young children’s development, allowing them to build their physical strength and coordination while learning about the world around them.

Curriculum and Planning: A Holistic, Child-Centered Approach

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to be flexible, responsive, and child centered. We start by observing the children’s interests and developmental needs, and we use this information to plan engaging, meaningful activities that support their growth in all areas of the EYFS.

Each child’s learning journey is unique, and our educators work closely with families to ensure that every child feels supported and encouraged. Planning is tailored to suit individual needs, allowing children to thrive at their own pace while building on their strengths.

For example:

• A child fascinated by bugs might be invited to join an outdoor bug hunt, where they learn about different insects, their habitats, and how to care for them.
• A group of children excited about building could explore loose parts play, using natural materials like sticks, stones, and fabric to create structures and learn about balance and teamwork.

Creating Inspiring Environments: Supporting Curiosity and Creativity

The environment plays a crucial role in supporting our pedagogy at Hungry Caterpillar. We believe that the learning environment is the “third teacher,” providing endless opportunities for exploration, creativity, and discovery.

Our rooms and outdoor spaces are designed to be warm, welcoming, and inspiring, filled with open-ended resources that encourage children to explore, investigate, and experiment. We avoid clutter and overstimulation, instead offering calm, neutral spaces that allow children to focus and engage deeply in their play.

From sensory-rich areas with natural materials like wood, fabric, and stones, to creative spaces for painting, role play, or building, our environments are thoughtfully arranged to provoke curiosity and independent learning.

Our Commitment to Your Child’s Development

At Hungry Caterpillar Day Nurseries, our pedagogy is built on the belief that children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful experiences. We are dedicated to providing an environment where children can thrive, feel valued, and develop a lifelong love of learning. Through the integration of the EYFS, outdoor learning, and the Curiosity Approach, we create a rich, engaging atmosphere that nurtures each child’s potential.

The team at Hungry Caterpillars invite you to join us on this exciting journey, where learning is led by curiosity, inspired by nature, and centered on your child’s unique needs.

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