Happy Bears Early Years Curriculum
Where little steps make big smiles
At Happy Bears Early Years, our curriculum is designed around the children in our care. We want every child to play, learn, grow and belong, building strong foundations for their future.
Our curriculum is child-centred while also providing purposeful opportunities to introduce children to new experiences, vocabulary, ideas and the wider world around them.
What matters to us
Our curriculum has five key priorities:
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Communication & Language – developing vocabulary, understanding and confidence to communicate.
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Relationships & Wellbeing – helping children feel safe, secure, valued and able to build positive relationships.
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Independence & Life Skills – encouraging children to make choices, try things for themselves and develop confidence.
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Curiosity & a Love of Learning – supporting children to explore, investigate, problem-solve and enjoy learning.
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Inclusion for All – recognising that every child is unique and ensuring all children can participate, communicate and belong.
How children learn at Happy Bears
Children learn through a balance of child-led play, continuous provision, everyday routines, high-quality adult interactions and carefully planned learning opportunities.
Each half term we introduce an overall topic, alongside a Book of the Week, Makaton Sign of the Week and planned experiences across the seven areas of learning. These provide inspiration and new experiences while remaining flexible enough to follow children’s individual interests, needs and next steps.
Our Early Educators think carefully about what children already know and can do, what we want them to learn next and how we can help them achieve it.
We place a strong emphasis on communication and vocabulary. Adults model language, comment on children’s play, introduce new words naturally and give children plenty of time to process and respond. We also use Makaton to support communication and inclusion.
Cubs & Bears 🐻
Our Cubs Room (under 2.5s) focuses particularly on secure relationships, early communication, emotional wellbeing, sensory exploration, physical development, early mathematical understanding, and growing independence through everyday routines and play.
Our Bears Room (2.5–4 years) builds on these foundations, supporting children’s independence, confidence, communication, friendships, self-regulation, early literacy and mathematics, creativity, problem-solving and preparation for their next stage.
Every child, every journey ❤️
We recognise that children develop in different ways and at different rates. Our curriculum is adapted around the individual child, including children with SEND and those who may need additional support or challenge.
We work closely with parents and carers, recognising families as children’s first and most important educators, and value what they tell us about their child’s interests, experiences and development at home.
Our aim is for children to leave Happy Bears as confident, curious and increasingly independent learners, with strong relationships, communication skills and a genuine love of learning — ready for the next stage of their individual journey.
Play • Learn • Grow • Belong 🐻💛