At The Nest we focus on our central beliefs that infants and young children are free and equal human beings who need time, space and the right environment in which to unfold, and in which to develop a healthy sense of who they are as individuals and valued members of our society. This means that the values of peace, curiosity, creativity, unconditional love, respectful practice, kindness and beauty are non negotiable. 

WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE?

All human beings are creative and in every child there is an artist. At The Nest we allow children to unfold their innate creative gifts. For this unfolding, children need the right environment both emotionally and physically. We are committed to providing children with the best raw materials, time and peaceful spaces and pace to explore this. 

We provide this through a beautiful natural outdoor environment that is designed for use in all weather to ensure that children live and learn in the fresh air. Much of what we need to learn as human beings can be learnt from nature. Most of our resources are sourced from nature and we are committed to using recyclable items that encourage children's creativity, imagination and thought. 

• Our child has bloomed with your guidance and you have provided her with a nurturing environment that has been vital in her development. We could not have wished for a more loving, happy and peaceful home away from home.
• Thank you for your amazing loving care. We couldn't ask for a better place for him to be. Knowing that he would be loved, feelings respected and treated as someone special made those sad drop offs when was younger much easier!
• Thank you so much for opening your heart to us, and being so supportive.
• You are an incredible group of people and we will always smile and remember our time at The Nest.

• We are so grateful for the care and support you've given to us all. You've inspired us to be better parents and to embrace our son for the wonderful person he is. 
• Thank you all so much for the fantastic nurturing you've given over the last four years, all the snuggles, and stories and for providing such a warm, embracing space to play and grow. 
• We have noticed many wonderful changes in his confidence, manner and general day to day play. He can't wait to go to The Nest each day and we are so lucky to have this fantastic facility in Clive. Your passion and enthusiasm is amazing.

Our philosophy is the anchor for all we do at The Nest. We are guided by the principles of Emmi Pikler but just as important we use our own heart to guide us in our interactions with the children and our families. At The Nest we believe in the people and the partnership above the premises and the programmes.   

THE RELATIONSHIP DECIDES, IT IS ALL

We are committed to consciously growing respectful and loving relationships for all. The relationship we build with your child is the most important part of our work. When your child feels known, appreciated and secure in their relationships here with us, they are what we call ‘emotionally satisfied’. That means that your child is then ready to engage in quality play, which results in quality learning.

AN EMOTIONALLY SATISFIED CHILD WILL ENGAGE IN PLAY

We believe that the children in our care need to develop a trusting relationship with the teachers in order for them to confidently engage in play and develop social relationships with other children.

When a child is emotionally satisfied, they are not needy. They are in the right state to play alongside other children and grow their skills for getting along with others. This is the easiest age to learn social skills, and we believe that the skills for getting along with others, in all sorts of situations, will be the most valuable skills your child can learn with us.

INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN ARE FREE AND EQUAL HUMAN BEINGS

We believe it is essential for each child to have a healthy sense of who they are, to grow to see themselves as valued members of society.

Your child is a free and equal human being, and equal human beings work in partnership together. At The Nest we consciously grow the skills for working together in cooperation.

BEAUTY AND NATURE ARE OUR TEACHERS

We are committed to preparing an environment of beauty where children can explore freely, and unfold embraced in Nature. The play resources we provide have been carefully chosen to harmonise with the natural environment. Most are sourced from Nature. We are also committed to using recycled items that encourage children’s creativity and imagination, their thinking and experimenting.

THERE IS NO BAD WEATHER, ONLY BAD CLOTHING

The outdoor environment and outdoor play are pivotal to the development of a healthy body, mind and spirit. The door is never shut: children are free to play outside, at any time, in all weathers. Your child needs clothing suitable for the weather. There is also a large area of The Nest that is designed for use in all weathers so your child can be outside playing and learning in the fresh air.

CHILDREN DESERVE A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT

In our beautiful rural setting, children can connect with Nature in our specially landscaped outdoor play areas, with our animals, organic gardens, and trees. The children will be active participants in all the routines, rituals and regular events involved in running our ‘little slice of heaven’. We believe that Nature has a perfect plan for human beings and that the use of artificial teaching aids to ‘speed up’ development is unnecessary. 

THE WORLD IS HEALED ONE LOVING THOUGHT AT A TIME

We are committed to caring for our environment in an ecologically sound way. Along with the children, we respect and care for the natural resources in our community and wider world. Children will learn to respect and care for the natural resources in our community.

EVERY HUMAN IS BORN CREATIVE AND EVERY CHILD IS AN ARTIST

We believe it is very important that each child unfolds as the artist and creator they were born to be. We provide the best raw materials, time and peaceful spaces to support this unfolding.