What Do They Teach in Nursery? A Parent’s Guide to Early Learning

One of the most common questions parents ask when considering childcare is: what do they teach in nursery? It’s an understandable question. When we think of learning, we often picture classrooms, worksheets, and formal lessons. But nursery learning looks very different, especially in the early years.

In fact, some of the most important learning happens through play, exploration, relationships, and everyday experiences.

At Poppies, our role isn’t to “teach” children in the traditional sense. Instead, we create an environment where children can develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity they need to thrive both now and when they move on to school.

So, what do they teach in nursery? Let’s take a closer look.

 

Understanding the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

All registered nurseries in England follow a framework called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS sets out the areas of learning and development that help children build the foundations for future learning.

Rather than formal lessons, children learn through:

• Play
• Exploration
• Conversations
• Daily routines
• Adult-led and child-led activities

This approach recognises that young children learn best when they are engaged, curious, and having fun.

 

Communication and Language

One of the biggest focuses in nursery is communication and language development. Children are constantly learning new words, practising conversations, and developing their understanding of language.

This happens through:

• Story time
• Singing songs and rhymes
• Talking during play
• Listening activities
• Everyday conversations

The more opportunities children have to communicate, the more confident they become in expressing themselves.

 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

When parents ask, “What do they teach in nursery?”, one of the most important answers is social and emotional skills.

Nursery helps children learn how to:

• Share and take turns
• Build friendships
• Understand emotions
• Develop independence
• Follow routines

These skills are just as important as academic learning because they help children feel confident and secure.

 

Physical Development

Young children are naturally active, and nursery provides plenty of opportunities for movement and physical development.

Activities might include:

• Climbing and balancing
• Running and outdoor play
• Dancing and movement games
• Mark making and drawing
• Using tools and resources safely

These experiences help children develop both gross motor skills (large movements) and fine motor skills (smaller hand movements) that will support future writing and self-care tasks.

At Poppies, children benefit from both indoor and outdoor learning environments that encourage movement, exploration, and physical confidence.

 

Creativity and Imagination

Creativity is another important part of nursery life. Children are encouraged to:

• Paint and draw
• Explore music
• Join in role play
• Build and create
• Express themselves through different materials and experiences

Creative activities help children develop imagination, problem-solving skills, and confidence in their own ideas.

Many of these experiences also link closely to the different stages explored in our blog on The 4 Types of Play in Child Development.

 

Learning Through Play

One of the biggest misconceptions about nursery is that children are “just playing.” In reality, play is how young children learn best.

Through play, children develop:

• Language skills
• Social skills
• Confidence
• Creativity
• Problem-solving abilities

For example, a child building a tower isn’t just stacking blocks. They are learning about balance, cause and effect, perseverance, and spatial awareness.

Similarly, when children engage in imaginative play, they are developing communication, emotional understanding, and social skills.

You can learn more about this in our blog on Independent Play for Toddlers: Why It Matters and How to Encourage It.

 

Early Maths and Literacy Skills

Nursery also introduces children to the early building blocks of maths and literacy. This isn’t about formal reading lessons or worksheets.

Instead, children learn through:

• Counting games
• Number songs
• Story books
• Recognising patterns
• Mark making
• Exploring shapes and measures

These early experiences help children develop familiarity with numbers, language, and books long before they begin formal schooling.

 

Understanding the World Around Them

Children are naturally curious, and nursery provides endless opportunities to explore the world around them.

This might include:

• Nature walks
• Growing plants
• Exploring different cultures and celebrations
• Learning about seasons and weather
• Investigating how things work

These experiences encourage children to ask questions, think critically, and develop a love of learning.

 

What Do They Teach in Nursery? More Than You Might Think

When parents ask “what do they teach in nursery?”, the answer is often much broader than expected. Nursery isn’t simply preparing children to recognise letters and numbers. It’s helping them develop the skills they need for life.

Children learn:

• How to communicate
• How to build relationships
• How to solve problems
• How to become independent
• How to feel confident trying new things

At Poppies, across both our Tidworth Nursery and Perham Down Nursery, we focus on nurturing the whole child. We believe learning should be engaging, meaningful, and tailored to each child’s stage of development.

Every story shared, every game played, every friendship formed, and every new experience contributes to a child’s growth. Because in the early years, learning isn’t confined to a lesson plan. It’s happening everywhere, every single day.