Elmtree Ethos

A message from Elmtree Preschool's Manager & Curriculum Lead, Becky Meacham. 

Hello, I thought it would be helpful to introduce Elmtree Preschool and share a little about our history, ethos, and the values that shape everything we do.

I have always worked in Early Years Education and knew from an early age that I wanted to become a preschool teacher. I began my career as an Early Years Assistant while completing a childcare diploma at college. I then went on to complete my degree and Early Years Teacher Status. In 2010, after graduating and moving back to Bristol I became the manager of the very preschool where I had started my career. 

After having my second baby I managed another preschool in Bristol, which sadly chose to close shortly after the covid-19 pandemic. Opening a preschool had always been a dream of mine, so following the news of closure I teamed up with a colleague, and in 2022 we began the process of registering as a not-for-profit charity and applied to Ofsted. We officially opened our doors in April 2023 with just two children on roll, running from a community centre’s annex.

I used part of an inheritance from my Gran to help establish Elmtree Preschool. She was a retired paediatrician who was deeply passionate about holistic care, education, and supporting families within the community. Being able to use part of my inheritance to create Elmtree has always felt like a meaningful tribute to her life's work and values.

Over the following two years, Elmtree grew steadily in both numbers and reputation, allowing us to build a wonderful team of Early Years Practitioners. In July 2025, we began an exciting new chapter when we signed the lease and moved into our new home at Cotham Gardens Primary School. A few months after the move my co-manager decided to step away from Elmtree, and I took on the role of sole manager. 

Our first academic year at Cotham Gardens has been wonderful, and we have continued to grow from strength to strength as both a team and an established part of the wider school community. I am so fortunate to have a dedicated and supportive team of Early Years Practitioners, volunteers and trustees, all who share the same commitment to providing the very best preschool experience for children and their families. 

As a not-for-profit charity, children are at the heart of every decision we make. Without shareholders, any surplus income is reinvested back into the preschool, enabling us to continually improve our learning environment, resources, team development and the support we provide to children and families. Alongside my day-to-day role at Elmtree Preschool, I also volunteer as one of Elmtree’s trustees. I continue to volunteer a proportion of my working hours each week to support the preschool.

At Elmtree Preschool, we believe childhood should be filled with curiosity, creativity and enjoyment. Our aim is to create an environment where every child feels safe, valued and inspired to explore, express themselves and celebrate their individuality. We embrace child-led, holistic learning through play, and place great importance on building strong relationships with families and the local community. We also treasure the close-knit, nurturing atmosphere that a preschool naturally offers - it's what makes Elmtree Preschool such a special place for children to begin their learning journey.

You can find our more information by reading our Welcome Booklet  which you can view in the Download Section. We hope it provides you with helpful information and gives you a sense of who we are and what matters to us. Please keep it to refer to during your time at Elmtree Preschool, and if you have any questions, we are always happy to help.

With love,

Becky

Becky Meacham

Elmtree Preschool Manager and Curriculum Lead

Email: hello@elmtreepreschool.org.uk Telephone:07354 753387 Website: elmtreepreschool.org.uk

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)