At Roots, we believe that learning should be fun, inspiring and full of wonder. Every child is unique, and we create a safe, nurturing environment where they can explore, play, and grow.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), adding our own little extra’s to ensure your child has a range of rich experiences across all areas while developing the confidence, curiosity, and independence they need to thrive.
The EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the national framework that guides learning, development, and care for children from birth to five years old.
The EYFS is built on the understanding that:
- Children develop at different rates
- Secure, trusting relationships are essential
- Play is central to learning
- Children learn through everyday experiences, not formal lessons
The EYFS includes seven areas of learning and development, which are experienced naturally through play, routines, and adult interaction.
Prime Areas (The 3 core learning areas)
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development – building confidence, relationships, and independence
- Communication and Language – developing listening, understanding, and speaking skills
- Physical Development – supporting movement, coordination, and healthy habits
Specific Areas
- Literacy – enjoying stories, books, early mark-making, and sounds
- Mathematics – exploring numbers, shapes, patterns, and problem-solving
- Understanding the World – learning about people, communities, nature, and the wider world
- Expressive Arts and Design – creativity through art, music, movement, and imaginative play
Learning through play
At Roots for Life, we believe play is where the magic happens ✨
It’s how children explore ideas, test theories, practise new skills, and build confidence in themselves.
Through play, children learn to make choices, solve problems, communicate with others, and keep going when things feel tricky. Whether they’re building, creating, pretending, moving, or investigating, they are developing the skills they need for learning and for life.
We carefully plan our environment to spark curiosity and invite children to get involved, but we also give them the freedom to lead their own learning. This helps children become independent thinkers, confident decision-makers, and enthusiastic learners.
Most importantly, we want children to love learning. When learning feels joyful, meaningful, and fun, children grow in confidence, resilience, and belief in themselves and that stays with them long after they leave Roots.
Inspiring Learning
At Roots, we make learning exciting, hands-on, and memorable. Our curriculum is planned around engaging topics, favourite stories, and special experiences that spark curiosity and support progressive learning.
We inspire learning through:
- Core story books: The Colour Monster, The Gruffalo, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Winnie the Witch, and other favourites that spark imagination and discussion
- Special days & celebrations: Rainbow Day, Umbrella Day, Baking Day, Chocolate Cake Day, and many more fun vents
- Special days & celebrations: Rainbow Day, Umbrella Day, Baking Day, Chocolate Cake Day, and many more fun vents
- Enrichment activities: BSL sign language groups, Mandarin lessons, rugby tots, African drumming, and music and movement sessions
- Science experiments: Age-appropriate investigations that encourage curiosity, problem-solving, and discovery
- Creative play & arts: Role play, painting, craft, and building activities that let children explore ideas and express themselves
By connecting learning to play, stories, real-life experiences, experiments, and creative expression, children stay curious, enjoy exploring, and build skills step by step, all while having fun.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is the collection of learning experiences we thoughtfully plan for your child during their time at Roots. It is designed to be fun, practical, and full of purpose, helping children grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity.
Through play, routines, and real experiences, children develop key skills across all areas of learning, from managing emotions and building friendships, to climbing, dancing, talking, creating, reading, counting, and exploring the world around them. Learning is hands-on, active, and meaningful, so children stay engaged and excited to take part.
We focus on helping children:
- Feel confident and secure
- Become independent in everyday skills
- Communicate clearly and build relationships
- Enjoy books, numbers, creativity, and problem-solving
Our curriculum is planned progressively by age groups and term, ensuring learning is challenging but achievable, and always appropriate for each stage of development.
Green Class (1–2 years) focuses on security, exploration, and early independence
- Term 1: Settling in, building secure attachments, exploring the environment, enjoying sensory play
- Term 2: Developing early communication, simple routines, and physical skills like crawling, walking, and climbing
- Term 3: Engaging in early play alongside others, practising independence in daily routines, and beginning to show curiosity and confidence
Purple Class (2–3 years) focuses on happiness, confidence, and independence
- Term 1: Focus on Prime areas to support settling in to their new classroom and routine whilst continuing to build secure attachments and having the confidence to independently explore the environment.
- Term 2: Introduce more specific concepts — shapes, colours, numbers, physical skills, hand-eye coordination
- Term 3: Listening to and understanding stories, short group activities, independence in self-care and routines
Orange Class (3 years) focuses on growing independence, confidence, and early learning skills
- Term 1: Settling into routines, building confidence, communication, and independence in the environment
- Term 2: Developing early concepts — colours, shapes, numbers — and beginning to engage in more focused play and adult-led activities
- Term 3: Strengthening listening and attention, joining in small group activities, and building independence in preparation for pre-school
Yellow Class (3–4 years & school starters) focuses on independence, school readiness, and confidence
- Term 1: Focus on Prime areas — continued focus on social, emotional, communication, and physical development while they settle into their new class and routine
- Term 2: Introduce early writing, problem-solving, numbers, and physical skills
- Term 3: Extend literacy and comprehension, school readiness, focus in group activities, and independence in routines
We’ve created our own Roots curriculum using the Development Matters 2021 framework and national guidance, combined with our unique Roots style. The result is an enriching and inspiring learning journey that nurtures a love of learning and helps children leave Roots feeling proud of what they can do, confident to try new things, and excited to explore even more.
Alternative Curriculum for SEND
At Roots, we believe every child is unique and deserves a learning experience that celebrates their strengths and meets their needs. For children who need extra support to access certain parts of the curriculum, we go above and beyond to make sure they have a safe, happy, and empowering start to life.
We do this by:
- Identifying barriers and planning tailored support
- Working closely with families and other professionals to ensure consistent guidance
- Setting personalised, achievable goals that are meaningful and build confidence
Our alternative curriculum ensures that every child can thrive, develop essential skills, and leave Roots ready for their next adventure at school, supported, confident, and proud of what they can achieve.
Our Location
Roots for Life Nursery Thame
46b North Street,
Oxfordshire,
OX9 3BH
United Kingdom
Tel : +447788211928
Email: [email protected]
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