Elmtree Ethos

About Elmtree Preschool

Hello, thank you for taking the time to find out more about Elmtree Preschool.

Elmtree Preschool was founded to offer a nurturing, play-based environment, rooted in community values and curiosity-led learning. We are a Not-For-Profit Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

When the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of local preschools and groups it felt like a significant loss to the local community. After considering our options, we decided to embark on the journey to open Elmtree Preschool. Becky, one of the founder trustees and preschool manager, had recently received an inheritance from her Gran - a retired paediatrician who was deeply passionate about holistic care, education, and supporting families in the community. Using part of this inheritance to help establish Elmtree has felt like a meaningful tribute to her life’s work and values.

The team at Elmtree Preschool have a shared passion and belief that play, exploration, and curiosity are the most exciting and effective pathways to learning. This shared vision has shaped our ethos and enabled us to create a nurturing home-from-home environment and developed our approach to the Early Years Foundation Stage to reflect and support this. A key value we hold is making sure every child and their family feel welcomed and valued

While we awaited our Ofsted registration visit, we offered free parent/carer and child 'stay and play' sessions. These were not only great fun but also much needed at the time, as many similar groups were still closed in the wake of the pandemic. We successfully registered with Ofsted in March 2023, and officially opened Elmtree Preschool in April 2023.

We were originally based in a community centre in Redland, but unfortunately in 2025 we were given our notice. This led to us finding our new home at Cotham Gardens Primary School, where we moved in July 2025.  We successfully re-registered with Ofsted, and had our Ofsted inspection in September 2025; receiving GOOD in all areas. We absolutely love being part of the school community, and we have gone from strength to strength since our move. 

Our aim is to create an environment where children can explore, express themselves, and celebrate their individuality and creativity. Sparking curiosity and a love for learning and discovery. We love the close-knit, community feel that a preschool setting naturally nurtures - it’s what makes it such a unique and special place for children to begin their learning journey.

We were keen to maintain this value, even whilst running within a larger school environment. We ensure this by keeping our group size small, with a consistent small team and a creating a cosy, nurturing and child-led environment. Working alongside Cotham Gardens has enriched our community, and we feel very lucky to have been taken under their wing.

... What a journey! ...

We’d love to hear from you.

If you have any questions about Elmtree Preschool, please do get in touch.

Our Learning Approach – The EYFS Framework
At Elmtree Preschool, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which is the national curriculum for children aged 0–5 years old. It sets the standards for learning, development and care in early years settings across England, and it helps to ensure we provide high-quality, child-led learning through play and exploration.

 The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is built around four key principles:

• A Unique Child – every child is a competent learner from birth
   
• Positive Relationships – children learn to be strong and independent
   
• Enabling Environments – supporting development through rich experiences
   
• Learning and Development – recognising that children develop in different ways and at different rates
   

The EYFS covers seven key areas of learning:

Prime Areas:

Communication and Language

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Physical Development
 

Specific Areas:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design

Children learn best when they feel safe, curious, and loved. Our experienced team plan engaging activities based on the children’s interests, and we regularly observe and reflect on their progress to support their next steps. As a team we also believe that children learn best when they are at the heart of the experience - free to explore, discover, and develop through play in a nurturing and responsive environment.

Within our daily routine, we ensure there is space for free-flow and uninterrupted play, small group times, opportunities for self-care and independence, rest and relaxation, and moments of reflection. We also involve the children with our weekly planning.

We are attuned to the ebb and flow of each day, responding to the children’s interests and needs as they arise. Being a small group further supports this approach, allowing us to build strong, meaningful relationships with each child and respond to them as individuals. 

Please view our DOWNLOAD AREA where you will find some useful documents with more information about our curriculum, ethos and values. (Click the link)