In the Early Years here at the Webber, play isn’t just a way to pass the time — it’s how children begin to make sense of the world. From building towers to role-playing in our home corner, every playful moment is a learning opportunity carefully nurtured by our specialist team.
We understand that the early years lay the foundation for a child’s lifelong love of learning. That’s why our Little Webber Nursery and Reception settings are filled with thoughtfully designed spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity, collaboration — and joy. Research consistently shows that young children learn best when they’re actively engaged, using all their senses and following their natural interests. At Webber, we harness the power of purposeful play to build not only core skills like literacy and numeracy, but also independence, problem-solving and emotional resilience. Our approach blends free-flow play with carefully planned adult-led activities, ensuring a balance that supports both individual growth and group learning. Whether it’s experimenting with water play to understand volume, or exploring letters through storytelling and phonics games, children are learning — often without even realising it.
In our recent ISI Inspection, inspectors praised the Early Years setting for developing “exceptional confidence and independence,” with children showing “strong engagement and eagerness to explore.” And it’s not just inspectors who notice, 98% of Webber parents in our recent survey said their child feels happy, safe, and supported in our Early Years environment.
Learning through play also supports vital social development. From sharing toys to taking turns in imaginative games, children naturally learn how to collaborate, empathise and communicate — skills that are just as important as counting and reading. Importantly, our Early Years staff are skilled in observing, guiding and extending each child’s learning. They ask thoughtful questions, introduce new vocabulary and adapt activities to suit each child’s developmental stage — ensuring every learner makes meaningful progress, at their own pace. And of course, play at Webber isn’t confined to the classroom. Our secure outdoor learning areas offer further opportunity for exploration, risk-taking and physical development — all in a fun, safe and stimulating environment.
At The Webber, we believe that play is the work of childhood. And through play, our youngest learners begin to build the confidence, curiosity and capabilities that will stay with them for life. We would love to welcome you to see our Early Years in action — where every moment of play leads to real, meaningful progress. Book your personal visit here.
