Choosing the right early years setting can feel overwhelming, particularly when nurseries describe themselves using different learning philosophies and approaches. From Montessori and Reggio Emilia to The Curiosity Approach and Forest School, these terms are often used to signal how children learn and experience nursery life day to day.
This article explores some of the most common early years approaches used in the UK, outlining their core principles, strengths, and limitations — and helping parents and professionals better understand what these approaches look like in practice
Montessori Approach
The Montessori approach is one of the most well-established early years philosophies in the UK, built around the idea that children learn best when they are given independence within a carefully structured environment
While exact statistics are not published centrally, there are several hundred Montessori nurseries and early-years settings in the UK — a significant presence alongside thousands of other private nurseries. Montessori continues to be one of the most widely recognised alternative pedagogies in early childhood education.”
In Montessori settings, children are encouraged to make their own choices and work at their own pace using thoughtfully prepared materials. Learning is largely self-directed, with practitioners acting as guides rather than instructors — observing closely and introducing new challenges when a child is ready.
This balance of freedom and structure helps children develop concentration, confidence, and a strong sense of ownership over their learning from an early age.
Key features:
- Carefully prepared environments
- Hands-on learning materials
- Children choose activities independently
- Mixed-age groupings are common
Strengths:
- Builds concentration and independence
- Clear routines and progression
Criticisms / limitations:
- Can feel rigid if applied strictly
- Less emphasis on imaginative play
Reggio Emilia Approach
The Reggio Emilia approach is built on a powerful belief: children are capable, curious, and full of ideas worth listening to. Rather than following a fixed curriculum, learning emerges from children’s interests, questions, and conversations.
Practitioners observe closely, listen carefully, and shape the environment to extend thinking, encourage collaboration, and give children a genuine voice in their learning. The result is a highly responsive approach that values creativity, curiosity, and deep engagement from the very start.
Unlike Montessori, there isn’t a central register that quantifies how many UK nurseries are ‘Reggio Emilia’ settings. However, the Reggio Emilia philosophy is widely recognised and has influenced a significant number of nurseries and independent early years educators across the UK, with many settings adopting Reggio-inspired practices such as project-based learning, rich environments, documentation of learning, and child-led inquiry.
Key features:
- Child-led projects and long-term exploration
- Emphasis on creativity, art, and expression
- Environment seen as the “third teacher”
- Strong parent involvement
Strengths:
- Encourages creativity and deep thinking
- Highly responsive to children’s interests
Criticisms / limitations:
- Resource-intensive
- Can be challenging to implement without strong staff training
The Steiner / Waldorf Approach
The Steiner or Waldorf approach takes a holistic view of early childhood, placing strong emphasis on imagination, rhythm, and emotional wellbeing. Learning is rooted in creative play, storytelling, music, and meaningful routines, rather than formal instruction.
By prioritising a calm, nurturing environment and allowing children to learn through experience and imitation, Steiner-inspired settings aim to support the whole child — socially, emotionally, and creatively — during the early years.
There isn’t a central register of Steiner/Waldorf nurseries in the UK, but organisations representing Waldorf education list dozens of early years settings and kindergartens alongside Steiner/Waldorf schools — showing a wide early years presence across the country.
Key features:
- Strong daily and seasonal routines
- Storytelling, music, and imaginative play
- Limited exposure to technology in early years
Strengths:
- Calm, nurturing environments
- Strong focus on emotional wellbeing
Criticisms / limitations:
- Less emphasis on early literacy and numeracy
- Can feel outdated for some families
The Curiosity Approach
The Curiosity Approach is built on a simple idea: children learn best when they are calm, curious, and deeply engaged. Rather than overwhelming children with toys and adult-led activities, this approach focuses on thoughtfully designed environments and open-ended resources that invite exploration.
By slowing things down and tuning into children’s interests in the moment, practitioners support meaningful learning that feels natural, purposeful, and genuinely child-led.
Many modern nurseries like this nursery in Leyton E10 are moving away from overstimulation and excessive data collection, favouring environments that allow children to think, explore, and lead their own learning.
Key features:
- Natural, open-ended resources
- Fewer toys, more intentional choices
- Focus on “in-the-moment” learning
- Emphasis on observation rather than paperwork
Strengths:
- Creates calm, focused learning spaces
- Encourages deep engagement and creativity
- Strong alignment with the EYFS
Criticisms / Limitations
- Relies heavily on practitioner skill
- Can be misunderstood as “less teaching”
- Less formal evidence of learning
The Forest School Approach
The Forest School approach is rooted in the belief that children learn best through hands-on experiences in nature. Regular outdoor sessions encourage exploration, problem-solving, and managed risk-taking in natural environments.
By giving children the time and space to explore the outdoors freely, Forest School helps to teach determination and resilience and a strong connection to the natural world from an early age.
Professional bodies estimate that thousands of early years settings, schools and childcare providers run regular Forest School sessions or have qualified Forest School practitioners, reflecting its widespread and increasing popularity.
Key features:
- Regular outdoor sessions in natural environments
- Child-led exploration
- Emphasis on physical confidence and resilience
Strengths:
- Excellent for physical development and confidence
- Supports wellbeing and risk assessment skills
- Incorporates the benefits of outdoor learning
Criticisms / limitations:
- Weather-dependent
- Usually a supplement rather than a full curriculum
Traditional / Structured Early Years Practice
Traditional early years practice focuses on clear routines, adult-led activities, and structured learning to support children’s development and readiness for school. Learning is often delivered through planned group activities with defined outcomes.
This approach offers predictability and structure, which can be reassuring for both children and parents, particularly those looking for a more formal pathway into primary education.
Key features:
- Group activities and planned lessons
- Strong focus on school readiness
- Clear expectations and structure
Strengths:
- Predictable and familiar for many parents
- Clear academic focus
Criticisms / limitations:
- Less flexible and child-led
- Can limit creativity and exploration
Summary – Choosing the right Early Years Learning Approach
While early years learning approaches are often described as distinct philosophies, the reality is that most high-quality Early Years settings draw on elements from several approaches, while remaining firmly grounded in the EYFS framework. Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Forest School, Steiner/Waldorf and the Curiosity Approch all offer valuable insights into how young children learn best.
What truly sets a setting apart is not the label it adopts, but how children experience learning day to day — the quality of interactions, the environment created, and how well practitioners respond to children’s interests, needs, and development in the moment.
For families and professionals alike, understanding these approaches helps move the conversation beyond trends and terminology, and towards what really matters: creating nurturing, engaging environments where children feel confident, curious, and supported in their early learning journey.
