Caterpillar Room (2–3yrs)
The staff ratio in the Caterpillar Room is 1:5. This part of the nursery consists of a large playroom with patio doors opening onto our large all weather garden. It also includes a messy play area, a dining room and children's toilets.
Each child receives personal encouragement to become independent and develop their understanding of numbers, letters and pencil control. Physical and mental development is encouraged with one-to-one attention from their key workers.
Daily activities include:
- Baking
- Arts and Crafts
- Music and Movement
- Construction
- Imaginative Play
- Messy Play (sand, water, flour and painting)
- Plus, plenty of outdoor play activities in the large secure garden (football, climbing, beanbags and balancing activities)
Areas are available for rest and sleep periods throughout the day.
Toilet training is also encouraged between 2-3 years and changing areas, potties and child toilet seats are all available.
🐛 The 7 Areas of Learning – Caterpillar Room (Toddlers)
💛 Personal, Social and Emotional Development
In the Caterpillar Suite, children begin to show greater independence while still relying on the comfort and reassurance of familiar adults. Practitioners support children as they learn to share, take turns and build early friendships, helping them understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. Through gentle guidance, consistent routines and positive role modelling, children develop confidence, resilience and a growing sense of identity as they explore the world with increasing curiosity.
🧠 Communication and Language
At this age, children experience a rapid burst in language development. Our practitioners nurture this by engaging children in meaningful conversations, modelling new vocabulary and encouraging them to express their thoughts, needs and ideas. Story time, singing, role play and small group discussions help children develop listening skills, follow simple instructions and build confidence in communicating with others.
🧩 Physical Development
Two year olds are full of energy and eager to test their physical abilities. We provide a safe, stimulating environment where children can climb, balance, run, jump and explore movement with growing control. Fine motor skills are strengthened through activities such as threading, mark making, playdough and early self care routines. Practitioners support children as they learn to feed themselves, wash their hands and begin simple toileting routines, promoting independence and healthy habits.
🔍 Understanding the World
Children in this age group are naturally curious and love to investigate how things work. We offer hands on experiences with natural materials, simple science explorations, outdoor adventures and opportunities to talk about family, community and the wider world. Practitioners encourage children to notice changes, ask questions and make connections, helping them develop an early understanding of their environment and their place within it.
🔢 Mathematics
Early maths becomes more purposeful as children begin to recognise numbers, shapes and patterns in their play. Practitioners introduce counting through songs, games and everyday routines, encouraging children to compare sizes, sort objects, build towers and explore simple problem solving. Children begin to use mathematical language such as “bigger”, “more”, “how many” and “next”, laying strong foundations for future learning.
📚 Literacy
A love of stories continues to grow as children enjoy books with increasing attention and understanding. Practitioners encourage children to join in with repeated phrases, predict what might happen next and talk about characters and events. Mark making becomes more intentional as children experiment with lines, circles and early letter like shapes. Through storytelling, rhymes and playful writing opportunities, children develop the building blocks for reading and writing.
🎨 Expressive Arts and Design
Creativity flourishes as children explore a wider range of materials, tools and imaginative experiences. Painting, collage, music, dance, role play and small world play allow children to express their ideas freely and develop their own preferences. Practitioners encourage experimentation, curiosity and confidence, helping children develop early artistic skills and a joyful sense of imagination.
