ISLA Little Explorers

Big adventures for curious 3-6 year olds

Little Explorers is one of the ways young children can be part of the ISLA community. Based at our Campus, it gives them plenty of time outside to move, play and discover.

Our days are built around the things children naturally love to explore: being outside, the garden, food, different materials, ponies and other animals, the weather and, of course, each other.

They learn by doing: climbing, digging, building, making things, looking after animals, growing food, talking, playing and figuring things out together.

Outdoor exploration

The Campus gives children plenty of room to follow their curiosity. They notice how things change with the seasons, look closely at plants and animals, collect things they find and use natural materials in their play.

Depending on the day, this might mean gardening, building, water and sand play, singing, storytelling, arts and crafts or simple bushcraft activities.

Movement and multisport

Young children need to move, so every day includes plenty of it. We mix physical play, movement games and simple introductions to different sports.

Running, balancing, throwing, climbing and dancing help children build coordination and confidence while having fun together.

Ponies and animal care

Ponies are a big part of Little Explorers. Children get to know them at their own pace through grooming, feeding, helping around the stables and pony games.

There are other animals at the Campus too, including goats and different kinds of birds. Children can help collect fresh eggs and, every now and then, we are lucky enough to see chicks hatch.

Caring for animals gives children small, real responsibilities. They learn to be gentle, patient and aware of what another living being needs.

From our garden to the world

Together with Plate of Ubuntu, we make food part of the day, not just something served at lunchtime. Children discover where food comes from and how it grows.

They help plant, water and harvest seasonal vegetables, fruit and herbs in our Campus garden. Whenever we can, what we grow finds its way onto their plates.

Plate of Ubuntu also works with chefs from different backgrounds, bringing ingredients, dishes, stories and flavours from different parts of the world to the table.

There is no pressure to like everything. We want children to stay curious, try unfamiliar foods and discover different ways people prepare and share meals.

Food becomes something to taste, talk about, prepare and enjoy together.

Language through real experiences

Children at Little Explorers come from different countries and language backgrounds. English and Spanish are part of everyday life – in play, stories, songs, games, meals and routines.

New words are picked up naturally while children are playing, moving, gardening, caring for animals and talking to the people around them.

Early language and number concepts also come up naturally through counting, comparing, measuring, spotting patterns, following instructions and telling stories about what children see and do.

Connection and belonging

Little Explorers is often where children make their first friends at ISLA and start to feel at home in a new environment and language.

Because the groups are small, the team gets to know each child well. We stay in close contact with parents about how their child is settling in, what they enjoy and where they may need a little extra support.

Flexible membership

Families can choose one or more weekdays, depending on what works for their child and family. Membership starts from one month, and children can join during the year whenever there is space.