Learning Through Play

A leading preschool in Plymouth

Are you searching for a reputable preschool in Plymouth? Your search ends with Pathways Day Nursery. We offer exceptional childcare, creating a safe and happy learning environment.

A compassionate team of childminders

At Pathways Day Nursery, we believe that children learn more effectively through play. A child's imagination is an amazing skill to have. Listening to the thought process is not something as adults we can teach. We are always there to support and enhance their thoughts and ideas, but by giving them independence to choose how they learn.

We believe children learn best when they are interested, we use the child's ideas to focus activities for example:
  • Counting
  • Wheels/tracks in paint
  • Stories
  • Colours
  • Sounds
  • Building tracks
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, as a team we plan and provide interesting and exciting experiences with good educational values. The curriculum states there are 7 areas of learning, children begin with the prime areas of learning, children's interests and development stages are always taken into account. As children grow in confidence we will apply equal focus on all areas of learning.

The staff at Pathways Day Nursery are all parents themselves which we believe helps to have a good understanding of parents’ feelings and thoughts. Time is taken for parents to chat about their child's day or about things that are happening at home. All staff are friendly, open and honest but professional.
Admissions Contact
play school

What do we teach?

Prime areas of learning — fundamental to develop relationships and experiences:
  • Personal, social and emotional development
  • Communication and language
  • Physical development

Specific areas of learning — essential skills and knowledge:

  • Mathematics
  • Literacy
  • Understanding of the world
  • Expressive art and design

When planning activities, we reflect on the three characteristics of effective teaching and learning.

  • Playing and exploring
  • Active learning
  • Creating and thinking critically

Ongoing assessment is a crucial part of the learning process. By observing children we can understand their level of achievement and then build learning experiences based upon the child's needs.
Mom and kid

Parents as partners

A secure, safe and happy childhood needs good parenting and a high quality education. We work in partnership with parents and families to ensure continuality and stability. It is important that parents are involved within the setting; we do this by:  

  • A parent file — information on EYFS , training for parents & helpful hints
  • Parent notice board — policies, procedures, planning, advertising
  • Stay and play sessions
  • Days out / group outings
  • Requesting support on finding and creating resources
  • Fundraising
  • Being aware and developing — policy, planning, staffing
  • Support, advice and signposting — healthy eating, potty training, behaviour
  • Ideas to do at home
  • Celebrate home learning
  • Daily chats about their child's development at home and at nursery
  • Formal progress meeting to discuss individual child's observation assessment and planning cycle.
All children have record packs detailing their individual learning journey. They can be viewed any time with an appointment with your child's key person. Children's next steps and guidance on how to help at home will be offered. Parents are asked about their child's progress, their views and concerns as well as their child's favourite toys and things to do are. This helps the nursery to develop a better understanding of the child.

At Pathways Day Nursery, we provide excellent childcare at reasonable prices. For more details, call us on
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