NURSERY TO YEAR 2

NEST: NURTURING EARLY SUCCESS TOGETHER

Set within its own space on our 12-acre green campus, NEST is our early childhood programme for children aged three to seven, guiding our young learners through some of the most formative years of their lives. At the heart of NEST is one simple belief: that children learn best when their natural curiosity leads the way.

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WHAT IS NEST?

NEST is the heartbeat of our Early Years and Lower Primary curriculum — the approach and values that shape every lesson, every interaction and every moment. Through personalised inquiry and hands-on exploration, NEST nurtures children who are curious about the world, kind to those around them, and confident in who they are.

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OUR CURRICULUM APPROACH

NEST brings together the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum, blending academic rigour with a globally minded, thematic approach. This gives children both the foundations and the breadth they need. Your child will build foundational skills in literacy and maths, learn how to think critically, communicate confidently and connect with the world around them. 
 
Running through everything is the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which places the child at the centre of their own learning. Children are active participants, bringing their own questions, ideas and interests to the classroom.
 
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THE NEST DIFFERENCE

At NEST, we do things differently. Here are five principles that shape the way our youngest learners experience school every day.
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Inquiry-based learning
Learning is driven by curiosity. As capable and resilient co-constructors of their learning, children shape their own development through exploration and inquiry.
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The power of play
Play makes learning irresistible. Children learn best when they are deeply engaged, curious and motivated. Through play, children ask questions, explore ideas and make meaningful connections.  
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Outdoor learning
Our green-12 acre campus has dedicated outdoor learning spaces and easy access to Medway Park, so there are ample opportunities for exploration.
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Every child is known

Children develop at their own pace. Within our small community, our teachers tailor learning to each child's strengths, needs and interests, ensuring they feel safe, valued, curious and confident.

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Parents as partners
Weekly updates and learning highlights on Seesaw give you a meaningful window into your child's experiences, helping you support their learning at home.

NO TWO CLASSES ARE THE SAME

When a child asks a question or shares an idea, our teachers actively follow that thread, connecting those moments of genuine wonder to curriculum goals, so that learning feels natural to the child and purposeful to the teacher. 

A single avocado seed noticed on the lunch table becomes sketches, then a trip outside, a science experiment, and a child's very first piece of research. This is the kind of learning that sticks because it starts with curiosity, not a worksheet.
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SEE NEST IN ACTION

Take a look inside a NEST classroom and see how our youngest learners engage in a calm, thoughtfully designed environment. Children move confidently between learning stations — exploring independently, collaborating with peers, and following their natural curiosity, all with the gentle guidance of our experienced educators.

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DCIS NEST PARENT
Early years
  • Early years
  • Primary

Ready for what comes next

We care as much about how your child thinks as what they know. Through exploring, questioning and testing their own ideas, they begin to make sense of the world in ways that are genuinely their own. By the time they step into Upper Primary, they're well prepared and eager to continue learning.
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3 to 5 years old
EARLY YEARS AND PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
Children in Nursery and Reception follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the UK's nationally recognised framework for children aged three to five. Alongside practical PE, language, and music learning, our specialist early years educators provide the care each child needs to reach the seven EYFS milestones.
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Ready for what comes next

We care as much about how your child thinks as what they know. Through exploring, questioning and testing their own ideas, they begin to make sense of the world in ways that are genuinely their own. By the time they step into Primary School, they're well prepared and eager to continue learning.
NEST | Early Childhood | Dover Court International School - Curricula Overview
5 to 11 years old
PRIMARY CURRICULUM
As your child reaches the next stage within Primary, the curiosity and confidence nurtured through NEST begins to flourish. Our careful blend of the English National Curriculum and the International Primary Curriculum ensures your child gets the best of both: strong core skills and inspiring, exploratory lessons that nurture creativity and independence.
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MORE THAN ACADEMIC

KIND, CONFIDENT & RESILIENT

We help children name and navigate their emotions, show them what perseverance looks like, and find themselves in an environment where trying, stumbling and trying again is encouraged and celebrated.

One of our favourite expressions of this is our Exhibitions of Learning, where children share their work and their thinking with parents and peers. For many, it's their first experience of standing up and saying: this is what I made, and I'm proud of it.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

YOUR CHILD’S STORY STARTS HERE

With more than fifty years of experience and a community spanning over 65 nationalities, your child will have the best possible start to their education.

ENQUIRE NOW
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