Our Vision, Mission and Values | The Nook Nursery in Leyton E10

Our Ethos

At The Nook Nursery in Leyton, we believe childhood is precious, sacred, and deserving of an environment that feels like belonging.

Our nursery has been intentionally created as a home-from-home — a gentle, nurturing space where children feel safe, valued, and deeply connected. We mirror the calm rhythms of family life: warm light, natural textures, soft tones, and thoughtful play experiences that encourage children to explore at their own pace.

Rooted in the Curiosity Approach, we surround children with authentic materials, meaningful provocations, and open-ended invitations to wonder. We see every child as competent, curious, and capable, filled with potential and deserving of respect.

Relationships sit at the heart of everything we do — with children, families, our environment, and nature.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a nurturing early years nursery in Leyton where curiosity, creativity, and emotional well-being flourish naturally.

We aspire to be a place where every child and every family feels seen, welcomed, and honoured. A place where learning is not rushed, but allowed to unfold gently — like a seed that blooms in its own time. A place where childhood is protected, celebrated, and cherished.

Our Mission

Our mission is to offer high-quality, inclusive early education that holds the whole child — their emotions, relationships, identity, and curiosity.

We do this by:

• providing a calm, homely environment rich in real-life experiences

• nurturing strong, trusting, respectful relationships

• supporting emotional regulation through connection and presence

• offering learning that is meaningful because it is child-led and discovered in the moment

We walk alongside families as partners, recognising you as the most important people in your child’s world.

Our Values

Curiosity – We nurture wonder. We offer time, space, and open-ended resources for deep exploration and joyful discovery.

Kindness – We model gentleness, empathy, patience, and respectful communication.

Inclusion – Every child and family is welcomed wholeheartedly. Every identity is honoured. Every story matters.

Growth – We believe in lifelong learning — for children and educators. We reflect, learn, and evolve together.

Community – We value togetherness, belonging, and connection with families and our wider world.

Our Aims

At Nook Nursery, we aim to:

1. Create a warm, secure home-to-home environment where children feel a true sense of belonging.

2. Inspire creativity, curiosity, and independence through open-ended exploration.

3. Foster emotional regulation and well-being through calm environments and attuned relationships.

4. Involve children and families as co-creators, shaping our environment with their ideas and contributions.

5. Celebrate diversity and individuality, ensuring every child feels seen, respected, and valued.

6. Promote sustainability and nature connection, nurturing care for the world around us.

7. Build strong, trusting partnerships with families.

How We Learn at The Nook

Our learning philosophy is built on four gentle pillars:

1. The Curiosity Approach® – natural, beautiful, authentic materials that inspire imagination and wonder.

2. In-the-Moment Planning – responding to children’s interests as they arise, extending learning in the moment.

3. Enabling Environments – calm, intentional spaces that encourage independence and creativity.

4. Outdoor Learning – daily nature connection and our children also enjoy regular outdoor learning experiences including visits to Abbots Park in Leyton supporting well-being and resilience.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and supports play-based learning in our Leyton nursery environment. It is inspired by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Te Whāriki, Steiner, the Curiosity Approach®, and In-the-Moment Planning.

We believe children learn best through deep, uninterrupted play. Educators observe sensitively, noticing the spark of curiosity and extending it through rich, meaningful experiences.

The environment is our third teacher — calm, natural, and always evolving with the children.

Our Calm-in-Nature Garden

Our outdoor space is currently being thoughtfully developed into what we call our Calm-in-Nature Garden — a gentle, natural sanctuary designed to support children’s emotional well-being, curiosity, and connection with the living world.

As this garden grows, children will explore real nature: the feel of soil, the rhythm of weather, the textures of wood and stone, the sounds of birds, and the quiet beauty of plants they help to nurture. Inspired by elements of forest school, the space will invite climbing, collecting, discovering, imagining, and meaningful outdoor play.

Although the garden is still evolving, children are already part of its story. They help choose what to plant, notice the changes day by day, and contribute their ideas. As the space takes shape, it becomes a living project that belongs to them.

Our Calm-in-Nature Garden will become:

• a place for calm, reflection, and emotional regulation

• a space for nature discovery and gentle adventure

• an evolving environment of belonging and collaboration, built with families and children

Together, we are creating an outdoor sanctuary that will grow alongside our community — a place where nature, curiosity, and well-being meet.

About Us

We are registered with Ofsted and deliver education aligned with EYFS 2025. Our team is made up of reflective, caring practitioners who believe deeply in the magic of early childhood.

The Nook Nursery was founded by Tamima Sultana and Richard Hill, whose shared passion for early years education and calm, nature-inspired environments brought this nursery to life. You can learn more about You can learn more about why we created The Nook Nursery on our Why The Nook page.

Practical Information

Opening Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Open 49 weeks per year. Closed for 2 weeks in summer, 1 week at Christmas, and all bank holidays.

You can also learn more about our fees and funded childcare options on our Fees & Funding page.

Our Rooms:

• Baby Room (0–19 months): A gentle, attachment-focused environment supporting sensory exploration.

• Family Group (19 months and over): A creative, mixed-age room where curiosity and independence flourish.

Ready to Learn More?

Come and meet the team who’ll care for your child. Ask about our settling-in process, see our calm spaces, and imagine your little one here, safe, happy, and thriving.

Book a tour here
Call Us: 020 8637 5247
Location: 842–844 High Road, Leyton, E10 6AE