A Community Built Around Children
Children, educators and families growing together.
At KatieB Kids, children thrive in a community built on connection, care and professional expertise.
Our nursery is more than a place children attend during the day. It is a community where children, educators and families build relationships that support confidence, belonging and growth.
Within our Let’s Nurture Futures™ framework, children are surrounded by emotionally available adults, thoughtful environments and a community that sees them as capable individuals.
Because when children feel known, valued and secure, learning grows naturally.
Our Children
Growing with your child
Children grow and develop rapidly in the early years. At KatieB Kids, our nursery is designed to support this journey through two thoughtfully structured environments, each using mixed-age grouping to support connection, confidence and learning.
Why We Choose Mixed-Age Communities
At KatieB Kids we believe children learn best within relationships and communities. Mixed-age environments create natural opportunities for younger children to learn from older peers, while older children develop confidence, empathy and leadership through supporting others. This reflects the way children learn outside nursery too. Families, communities and friendships are rarely organised by age alone. Children learn by observing, collaborating and spending time with people who are different from themselves. Supported by skilled educators and carefully planned environments, mixed-age grouping allows children to develop at their own pace while building strong relationships and a genuine sense of belonging.
Within each environment, children are not expected to do everything together all of the time. Our spaces are carefully organised so children can move between different areas, follow their interests, spend time with older or younger peers, or retreat to quieter, more protected spaces when they need calm and comfort. Educators remain close, observant and responsive, supporting children to make choices that are safe, meaningful and appropriate for their individual stage of development.
Rather than moving frequently between rooms, children remain within each environment long enough to build strong relationships with educators and develop a true sense of belonging. Within both our carefully considered spaces, children experience the valuable perspective of being both the younger child learning from others and the older child supporting those who follow them.
This mixed-age approach nurtures empathy, independence, confidence and collaboration. By remaining within each environment for longer, children build secure relationships, confidence and a strong sense of belonging. It is a structure that protects the rhythm of childhood while supporting each child to grow at their own pace.
Piccoli
Our Lower Nursery
Piccoli is where many children begin their nursery journey. This environment brings together our youngest children (Piccolos) and our older toddlers (Bambinos) within one shared space. In Piccoli, the focus is on building the foundations that support everything that follows:
• emotional security
• strong relationships
• early communication
• exploration and discovery
Our youngest children begin by developing trust in their environment and connection with their educators. As children grow into Bambinos, they gain confidence, independence and increasing curiosity about the world around them. They begin to explore ideas more deeply, build friendships and develop the skills that will support their next step.
Bambinos naturally begin preparing for their transition into the upper nursery, gaining the independence and confidence that will support them when they become one of the younger children in Grandi.
Grandi
Our Upper Nursery
Grandi is our upper nursery environment, where children continue their journey as Acorns before growing into Oaks, our eldest children in their final year before school.
Just as in Piccoli, Grandi uses a mixed-age approach, allowing younger children to learn from older peers while older children develop confidence through leadership, collaboration and shared projects.
Within Grandi you will see children:
• revisiting ideas through sustained projects
• collaborating and solving problems together
• communicating their thinking in different ways
• developing independence and confidence
As children grow into Oaks, they become the eldest members of the community. They take pride in their abilities, support younger peers and develop the confidence and independence that prepares them for their transition to school.
Transitioning Through Our Nursery
One of the greatest benefits of our nursery structure is the continuity it provides for children and families.
Many nurseries require children to move through several rooms during their early years, building new relationships with different educators each time. At KatieB Kids, children experience just one key transition throughout their nursery journey: moving from Piccoli (as Bambinos) into Grandi (becoming Acorns).
This means children spend longer building meaningful relationships with the educators who care for them. Families have more time to develop trust and confidence in the people supporting their child, while educators gain a deeper understanding of each child's personality, interests, strengths and individual needs.
Our strong staff retention and commitment to using our own dedicated team means children are cared for by familiar faces who know them well. These secure relationships provide an important foundation for children's confidence, wellbeing and learning.
When the time comes to transition into Grandi, we approach the process with care, thought and individual consideration. Every transition is carefully planned alongside families. Children visit their new environment gradually, build relationships with their new educators and become familiar with the routines and experiences they will encounter. We take time to understand each child's confidence, communication, independence and emotional wellbeing before making any decision about moving environments.
Because successful transitions are not about reaching a particular birthday, they are about ensuring children feel secure, confident and ready for their next step.
Age guides us.
Development leads us.
The unique child determines the pace.
Our Commitment
Transitions are never rushed.
Children remain in Piccoli until they are developmentally ready to thrive in Grandi. Confidence, communication, independence and emotional security are always considered alongside age.
Families are involved throughout the process so that each transition feels safe, supportive and positive for both child and parent.
Because at KatieB Kids, progression is not about moving quickly.
It is about moving well.
Our Educators
The people who bring our approach to life
At KatieB Kids, the quality of children’s experiences is shaped by the people who care for them.
Let’s Nurture Futures™ is not a programme that staff follow. It is a professional framework brought to life through the skill, judgement and presence of the educators who work with children every day.
Our team combine warmth, attentiveness and deep professional knowledge to create an environment where children feel safe, valued and inspired to explore.
Because when children feel emotionally secure and understood, learning grows naturally.
Educators Who Are Present With Children
Our educators are not standing on the sidelines directing activities.
You will see them sitting beside children, listening carefully to their ideas, extending their thinking and supporting their discoveries as they unfold.
They observe closely, respond thoughtfully and adapt experiences to reflect children’s interests, emotions and development.
This responsive approach allows children to feel truly seen and supported as capable individuals.
Relationships that matter
Children thrive when they are surrounded by adults who know them well. Our structure allows children to remain with the same educators for longer, building strong, trusting relationships that support confidence and emotional security. Educators learn about each child’s personality, interests, communication style and ways of learning. These relationships allow them to respond with genuine care and understanding.
Families are part of these relationships too. Through daily conversations and ongoing communication, educators and parents work together to support each child’s development and wellbeing.
Professionals Who Think, Reflect and Grow
At KatieB Kids we place great value on professional knowledge and reflective practice. Our educators are:
Trusted: Skilled professionals trusted to use their knowledge and judgement to support every child.
Reflective: Constantly observing, learning and adapting their practice to improve children’s experiences.
Responsive: Present in the moment with children, responding with care, intention and understanding.
Through ongoing professional learning, reflective dialogue and collaboration, our team continue to deepen their understanding of child development, play and pedagogy.
Because strong early education is not built on routines alone — it is built on thoughtful professionals who understand how children learn.
A Team That Grows Together
At KatieB Kids we believe that when educators feel valued, supported and confident, children flourish.
Our nursery culture encourages:
• reflection and professional curiosity
• shared learning between colleagues
• openness to new ideas and research
• a commitment to continually improving practice
This culture of professional growth ensures that the care and education children experience is thoughtful, intentional and evolving.
Our Leadership Team
Guiding practice with care and expertise
Behind the daily life of the nursery is a leadership team who help shape and protect the quality of practice within KatieB Kids. Our leaders remain actively connected to children's experiences, ensuring decisions are informed by the realities of daily practice as well as current research and professional learning.
Their role is not simply to manage the setting, but to nurture the professional culture that allows children, educators and families to flourish. Together they bring deep experience across early childhood education, inclusion, wellbeing and communication, ensuring that Let’s Nurture Futures™ is lived thoughtfully in everyday practice. They support the team through reflection, coaching and professional dialogue, helping educators think deeply about children’s learning, development and wellbeing.
This shared leadership approach means that decisions about practice are guided by professional knowledge, collaboration and a clear commitment to the children we care for.
Behind every moment of discovery, laughter and learning is a team of dedicated educators who care deeply about the children and families they work with. We are proud of the people who make up our daytime family.
Our Families
Growing Together
At KatieB Kids, we believe children benefit most when the important adults in their lives work together.
Children learn within relationships. The connections they experience between home and nursery help them feel secure, understood and confident to explore the world around them. When families and educators share knowledge, ideas and experiences, children benefit from a stronger and more consistent foundation for learning.
Within our Let’s Nurture Futures™ framework, we see parents as experts in their own children. Families help us understand each child's personality, interests, strengths, experiences and culture. This insight helps us build meaningful relationships and create experiences that feel relevant and engaging for the children in our care. As children grow, families have opportunities to become involved in the wider life of the nursery in ways that feel comfortable for them. We also believe families have an important voice within our community. Through conversations, feedback, consultation opportunities and shared reflection, parents help us shape and strengthen the experiences we provide for children. This might include:
• sharing family traditions, experiences or skills with the children
• contributing ideas to children's projects and enquiries
• attending workshops, discussions and family learning events
• sharing feedback and helping shape future developments
• exploring current research and thinking in early childhood education
Some families choose to be highly involved. Others simply appreciate knowing what their child is exploring and learning about. There is no expectation to participate in everything. What matters most is that families feel welcomed, informed and valued as part of our community. Because when children see the adults around them learning, sharing and working together, they develop a deeper sense of belonging and a stronger connection to their own learning journey.
Our Community
Community is something we create together.
You will see it in the conversations between families at drop-off, the friendships that grow over coffee mornings and the shared moments of celebration throughout the year. These connections help create a sense of belonging not only for children, but for parents too, because raising children was never meant to happen in isolation.
Alongside learning opportunities, we bring families together through celebrations and shared experiences across the year. Seasonal events, family gatherings and community celebrations reflect the rhythm of nursery life and create joyful memories for children and their families. These moments strengthen the sense of connection that sits at the heart of our nursery community.
More Than a Nursery
Many families join KatieB Kids looking for childcare. What they often discover is something much bigger.
Over time, relationships form between children, parents and educators. Families meet through events and celebrations, share experiences, support one another and become part of a community built around childhood.
Some families choose to attend workshops, contribute ideas, participate in projects or engage with the wider conversations we are having about children's learning and wellbeing. Others simply enjoy knowing that they are part of a nursery community that values curiosity, connection and lifelong learning. There is no expectation to be involved in everything, but the opportunity is always there because KatieB Kids is not simply a place children attend.
It is a community that grows together.
Upcoming Events
Our celebration events for all the family
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KatieB Kids Winter Celebration
For our KatieB Kids family
Autumn term celebrations
On an early evening at the beginning of December we welcome our families and local residents to our winter light celebration, where we come together to see our beautiful Chapel lit outside by tealights, sing carols by the twinkle of our tree, and then enjoy a cup of homemade apple punch and biscuits made by the children. A special, memorable event to begin the festive season for our families and our local community. Towards the end of December we have another special day, where our children will enjoy a Festive lunch cooked by Mrs Murphy, before their Christmas party, hosted by the inclusive team from Embracing Arts.
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KatieB Kids Families' afternoon
For our KatieB Kids family
Spring term celebration
Our Spring celebration is a special afternoon where we welcome families of our oak children to join us to experience a forest school session in our garden. Families Older siblings of all our children are invited to help our educators lead singing and story time. All our families are invited to help their children fill their baskets in a special seasonal hunt around our outside spaces, followed by a celebration tea. Our families are invited to contribute to our tea by baking or bringing something that represents their culture, or a family tradition to welcome the new season.
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KatieB Kids Summer Picnic
For our KatieB Kids family
Summer term celebration
Families of our children will join us in an area outside the Chapel framed with coloured bunting, where we will make flower crowns, enjoy an interactive sensory session with our guest performers Embracing Arts. Our wonderful Mrs Murphy will prepare the children a picnic snack, with drinks, cakes and biscuits for our families. At this event we say goodbye to our eldest children who are leaving us for school. It is a special moment when these children are presented with their unique hobby horses that they have made throughout the term.
Examples of community education events inspired by our approach
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Supporting schemas – developing our mini scientists and architects
A community event
Children are consistently learning about the world around them trying to figure out how things work. They do this by repeating patterns of behaviour that help them to apply their knowledge to new situations and experiences that they come across – through cause and effect. In this workshop explore how you can direct those habits that your child has into opportunities for them to construct greater knowledge and understanding. Learn how to recognise which schema, or pattern your child prefers, and how to plan activities that will stimulate their interests and really challenge their learning and development and support positive behaviour.
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Bringing imagination to life - rockets made of cardboard
A community event
Inspired by the childhood centre of Reggio Emilia, at KatieB Kids we build close relationships, use innovative activities, explore projects and encourage hands-on play to explore, investigate and experiment. Explore how this works first hand in this interactive and informative workshop. Learn how to create learning environments at home that promote the most opportunities for deep exploration and development. Become more confident to expand the world of ‘what if’, and to bring appropriate natural and recycled loose parts into play. Prepare your child for life through play by supporting them to develop social competence, creativity, and innovation.
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Chatty children - supporting early communication
A community event
Supporting positive communication not only helps prevent unwanted behaviour but helps children to thrive emotionally and academically. A responsive adult is crucial in supporting young children’s communication. In this workshop we explore the how, what and when to develop speech and language skills. We will discuss the building blocks to develop speech including the role of Makaton signing with practical advice to implement at home.
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Creating calm not joining the chaos through emotion coaching
A community event
Become your inner two-year-old and discover how to overcome the challenges of juggling parenting in the 21st century. We introduce the steps of emotion coaching and discuss how to achieve peaceful outcomes from emotional outbursts. Learn how to use emotional moments as opportunities to connect with your child and how to recognise and manage your own personal thresholds to increase the effectiveness of developing your child’s emotional intelligence - whilst keeping calm yourself!
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How early years education shapes success at school and beyond
A community event
In this workshop discover what children really need to thrive academically in school, and to be ready to face all that life brings. Explore how by supporting your child to achieve for themselves and by giving them the skills to do, you are equipping them for success. Learn how through play and skilled support young children can receive the best possible foundation for life – emotionally, physically and intellectually. We want fully-rounded children to emerge from their school life and be ready to face the world – we explore how to provide fully-rounded support to make this happen.
