How We Teach at Tops
At Tops, we focus on nurturing the best version of each child. How do we teach at Tops? Our curriculum is designed to develop confident, caring, creative, and resilient learners, preparing them to thrive both now and in the future.
How We Teach at Tops!
Our teaching philosophy centers around each child’s unique learning journey. We believe that children develop at their own pace, and we tailor our teaching methods to match their individual needs. It is built on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring that all children receive comprehensive support across seven areas of learning and development.
We use key resources like “Birth to Five Matters,” “Every Child a Talker” (ECaT), and “Education for Sustainable Citizenship” (ESC) to guide our approach. Moreover, these resources help our educators track progress and provide support for each child’s developmental needs.
Interest Based Learning
We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Our educators are trained to adapt their teaching to meet the needs of each child, using the EYFS as a flexible guide. By closely observing children’s play and identifying their unique interests and learning patterns, we provide personalised learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and independence.
Through interest-based learning (IBL), we tailor activities to children’s individual interests and repeated behaviours (schemas), ensuring each child is truly engaged and motivated. This approach supports developmental milestones while making learning irresistible across all seven areas of development. For example, we might use a child’s love of cars to explore number skills, or encourage mud play to develop early writing.
Our curriculum is designed to evoke wonder and fascination, offering a rich, broad set of experiences that make learning exciting and meaningful. We also regularly share observations and simple activity ideas with families, helping them support their child’s interests and learning at home.
At Tops, we understand that language is a foundation for learning. We emphasise communication and language skills from a child’s earliest days, using the Every Child a Talker (ECaT) framework to guide our practices. Language development is crucial for future learning and success. We provide all children, especially those who are disadvantaged, with the chance to build strong communication skills in a supportive, stimulating environment.
Our pedagogy is rooted in interest-based learning, where children’s natural curiosities shape their educational journey. By observing and understanding what excites each child, we create personalised, engaging learning experiences that spark deeper exploration and understanding. Moreover, this approach encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, empowering children to take ownership of their learning and fostering lasting educational outcomes.
Holistic Development
Our teachers create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore. They implement a wide range of extracurricular activities that enrich the learning experience and support each child’s growth in all areas—social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
At Tops, we integrate Education for Sustainable Citizenship (ESC) into our teaching. This enriches our approach to early childhood education by promoting environmental responsibility and social awareness. We introduce children to sustainability through hands-on activities such as nature exploration, recycling projects, and discussions about resource conservation. Furthermore, by learning to care for the planet, children develop a sense of responsibility that will guide them throughout their lives.
Read our blog to learn more about Education for Sustainable Citizenship at Tops.
Interested in Tops Day Nurseries for your little one? Get in touch today!
Did You Know?
From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other time in life. The experiences children have during these early years—whether positive or negative—play a crucial role in shaping how their brains develop and affect their future learning and success. Therefore, we prioritise building caring, responsive relationships between caregivers and children, which are fundamental to healthy brain development.
Our Key Person Approach focuses on developing strong, trusting relationships, as these are vital for emotional and cognitive growth. Consequently, responsive interactions with adults—whether through talking, playing, or simply listening—help to build the child’s brain and lay the foundation for lifelong learning.
Developmental Milestones
We use the Birth to 5 Matters framework to track each child’s progress, ensuring they meet their developmental milestones.
Communication Skills
Through ECaT, we support language development to ensure that all children have strong communication skills.
Sustainability:
Our ESC practices teach children how to be responsible citizens and care for the environment.
