​Education Providers

We were approved as Education Providers in January 2025 and our Education programme is based on the Curriculum for Wales for non-maintained settings. This curriculum focuses on providing a holistic, child-centred approach to learning, supporting each individual child’s growth and development. Education takes place in our dedicated pre-school room across the courtyard which has direct access to our large field and Forest School area, next to the animal paddocks. 
The 4 purposes of the Curriculum are designed to help every child to be;

1. Ambitious, Capable Learners: Encouraging children to enjoy learning, take pride in their work, and develop the skills to thrive in school and life
2. Enterprising, Creative Contributors: Inspiring children to use their imagination and creativity to solve  problems, work with others, and contribute positively to their community.
3.  Ethical, Informed Citizens: Helping children to understand and respect diverse perspectives, take care of the environment, and make informed choices for the future.
4. Healthy, Confident Individuals: Supporting children to build resilience, emotional well-being, and a sense of self-worth, while understanding the importance of physical and mental health. 

​The 5 Developmental Pathways
The Curriculum for Wales (Early Years) organises learning into 5 developmental pathways that reflect the holistic needs of early years children. They are as follows;

Belonging: Focuses on a sense of identity, connection, and relationships. Children develop confidence, feel valued, and understand their place within their family, community, and the wider world.

 Communication: Supports the development of language and communication skills. This includes listening, speaking, understanding, and expressing ideas through verbal and non-verbal means, as well as fostering literacy.

Exploration: Encourages curiosity and discovery through hands-on experiences. It focuses on fostering problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills as children engage with their environment and learn about the world around them.

Physical Development: Promotes gross and fine motor skills, coordination, and an understanding of healthy lifestyles. It also encourages self-care and independence in physical tasks.

Well-being: Prioritizes emotional, mental, and physical well-being. Children learn to manage their feelings, build resilience, and develop self-awareness and empathy, laying the foundation for positive lifelong habits.

At Appletree, we provide a nurturing, homely and inclusive environment to foster the 4 principles of the curriculum while embedding the use of the 5 pathways. We offer wonderful opportunities for children’s exploration and physical development, not only through our farmland and interaction with animals, but also by adopting the SKIP Cymru /Active Tots programme of physical literacy. We are part of the Newport’s Healthy and Sustainable Pre-school Scheme (HSPSS), which also addresses children’s emotional and mental well-being as well as nutrition and healthy eating.
 
Please find below links to both 3+ Curriculum and 0-3 Developmental Pathways
https://hwb.gov.wales/api/storage/b1801d78-38c3-4320-9818-d9996c21aef8/220914-a-curriculum-for-funded-non-maintained-nursery-settings.pdf
https://hwb.gov.wales/api/storage/56774946-48aa-4fab-adda-f27508d8dc8f/early-childhood-play-learning-and-care-developmental-pathways-0-to-3.pdf

Babies, toddlers and pre-school children

​The daily routines of the children depend on the age group and competencies of the children.
With the babies, we follow each child's own routine, as their needs and capabilities vary so much.
​We have a varied range of equipment and toys for stimulating play which helps the babies' development and encourages basic social skills; from learning to sit up through to taking their first steps.