Curriculum

Bright Little Stars 2 Years & Over Physical Movement Programme

At Bright Little Stars, our Physical Movement (PM) programme develops confident, capable and active children through purposeful movement and play.
Using the Birth to 5 Matters framework and EYFS Physical Development guidance, our sessions nurture coordination, balance, agility and physical confidence through carefully structured and fun activities.

Just as leading independent and state schools emphasise the importance of sport and wellbeing in education, our programme encourages children to embrace challenge, develop resilience and discover the joy of movement from an early age.
At the heart of the programme is the development of physical literacy: the confidence, competence and motivation to move and be active.
Through carefully structured and engaging sessions led by our specialist coaches, children develop the fundamental movement skills, coordination and body awareness needed to explore movement with confidence.

By building these foundations from an early age, we help children develop a positive relationship with physical activity, encouraging healthy habits and a lifelong enjoyment of sport and movement.

We use tailored lessons designed to support children’s physical literacy, helping them build the core movement skills that underpin future sport and physical activity.
Sessions combine:

• Active warm-ups
• Skill development activities
• Movement exploration
• Structured games and challenges
• Reflection and cool-down moments

Children learn through play, exploration and problem-solving, helping them develop independence, confidence and resilience.

Our curriculum develops the fundamental movement skills that form the foundation for all sport and physical activity.
Sessions focus on key areas of physical development, including:
Coordination & ball skills
Developing hand–eye coordination, object control, and the ability to throw, catch, track and receive moving objects.
Balance & body control
Building stability, posture and core strength through activities that encourage controlled movement and safe jumping and landing.
Agility & movement
Encouraging children to move confidently through space by changing direction, speed and travelling in different ways.
Reaction & spatial awareness
Helping children respond to movement cues, understand space around them, and develop quick reactions.

Through these areas, children build the confidence, coordination and physical foundations needed for future sports participation, school readiness and lifelong physical activity.

Our PM programme supports far more than physical development. Through purposeful movement and active play, children build Growth Mindset skills, such as, confidence, resilience and important social skills that support their overall development.
Through PM sessions, children also develop:

• ~Confidence and independence
• ~Teamwork and cooperation
• ~Leadership and communication skills
• ~Perseverance and resilience
• ~Focus and self-regulation

Regular physical activity also plays an important role in supporting children’s wellbeing, emotional development and readiness to learn. Helping them feel happy, confident and engaged throughout the nursery day. Breathing and mindfulness during cool-down time further support calmness, self-regulation and a positive readiness to learn.

We offer a range of inclusive clubs, led by external specialists. We also arrange visits to local museums, libraries and parks. Club activities are included in nursery fees to ensure equal opportunities for all children. Offerings may vary by nursery, be weather-dependent, or rotate throughout the year for a well-rounded experience.

Sport/Gymnastics- Varied sports, including gymnastics, tennis, basketball, dance, and athletics. Building strength, movement skills, and confidence using different equipment, keeping every session fun and development focused.

Drama- Building confidence, strengthening communication and early literacy, along with encouraging solo speaking. Playful storytelling sessions where babies and children join in with actions, dance and early drama, bringing stories to life in a fun, creative way.

Forest School- Rain-or-shine, hands-on outdoor learning that builds risk awareness, decision-making and child-led exploration. Sensory walks, foraging, woodwork and safe tree climbing, deepening children’s understanding of their world.

Languages- Fun, interactive musical and language sessions for babies to pre-schoolers. Familiar songs and rhymes, with sensory props, puppets, bubbles, maracas and ribbons, bring the language to life.

Mindfulness/Yoga- Yoga and mindfulness sessions, blending movement and storytelling. Children explore yoga-inspired adventures while building emotional growth, focus, self-regulation, and confidence.

Sensory Sessions- A four-week rotation of themed activities.  Singing, sign language, sensory lights, bubble shows, floating fabrics, balloons, role play, and natural treasures to engage and stimulate little ones.

Wild Fangs- Interactive, exotic-animal encounters with engaging talks. They emphasise ‘education through engagement’. Hands-on learning that taps prior knowledge, sparks excitement and introduces new information.

Music/Movement/Dance- Interactive music and movement classes with themed adventures, using colours, animals and the circus. Using nursery rhymes, action songs and props, to foster learning through dance and play.

In partnership with Academic Success, Bright Little Stars offers an optional comprehensive 4+ Assessment Support Programme, built around a unique parent–tutor–nursery triangle.

What are the sessions?
Expert led structured sessions, designed to mirror the style, pace and challenge of 4+ assessments used by selective independent schools.

Who are they for?
Children who are preparing to attend 4+ assessments and would benefit from advanced preparation.

What do they focus on?
Strong listening, attention and concentration
Early phonics and number confidence
Ability to follow multi-step instructions
Independent thinking and problem solving
Resilience when faced with unfamiliar or challenging tasks
Fine motor control and accuracy (pencil work, pattern work, cutting, matching)

How are they taught?
Sessions are led by our expert tutor from Academic Success. They are goal-focused with clear expectations, a brisk pace and high levels of engagement. Children experience mock 4+ style activities that closely reflect the expectations of highly selective independent schools, ensuring they are appropriately challenged and thoroughly prepared

What are the group sizes?
Small groups (to a maximum of 6), that allow close observation and individual stretch.

When and where do they take place?
Sessions take place at our nurseries during the nursery day, in a dedicated room.

Progress and Feedback
Built around a unique parent-tutor-nursery triangle, parents receive weekly written feedback, including individualised highlights and next steps.
Parents have access to our dedicated Assessment Support information section in the Parent Area of our website, which offers additional guidance and resources. We also provide ‘Parent Notes’ for the independent schools we visit, outlining key admissions information, assessment formats and school highlights.
In addition, we are proud to host events where parents can meet representatives from schools such as Habs and North London Collegiate, helping to ensure smooth and well-informed transition within our family-like community. We have developed particularly strong relationships with the following schools: Aldenham Prep, Edge Grove, Grimsdell, Habs Boys, Habs Girls, Holland House, Lochinver, Manor Lodge, Merchant Taylor’s Prep and North London Collegiate.

Together, we nurture confident children who are fully prepared to shine in their 4+ assessments.