Over a decade ago, I was introduced to the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching and learning—a philosophy that completely transformed my perspective on children, education, and play. As someone who champions the arts, play-based learning, and intentional design, this approach resonated deeply. But what does it truly mean to be Reggio-inspired, particularly in premium British nurseries where the philosophy must align seamlessly with curriculum requirements and measurable learning outcomes?

What is Reggio Emilia?

Reggio Emilia is a small town in Northern Italy where, following the Second World War, an innovative educational philosophy emerged under the guidance of psychologist Loris Malaguzzi. This approach values children as capable, curious, and resourceful learners. Unlike the Montessori method or other structured models, the Reggio Emilia approach does not offer certifications or rigid systems. Instead, it is a flexible teaching philosophy that adapts to the unique cultural and environmental contexts of each community. In a premium British nursery, being Reggio-inspired means cultivating a learning environment that mirrors its own distinctive values while staying true to this philosophy.

The Image of the Child

How we perceive children reflects how we approach teaching and learning. A Reggio-inspired philosophy is rooted in Constructivist and Social Constructivist theories of education, where knowledge is actively built rather than passively absorbed. This means traditional methods such as worksheets, textbook-based learning, and lecture-style teaching are avoided. Instead, children learn through meaningful experiences, collaboration with peers, and hands-on exploration of the world around them. At the heart of this process lies curiosity — when a child is truly intrigued by something, they are naturally more motivated to explore and learn. As responsible educators, our role is to identify these sparks of interest, create connections to broader learning goals, and thoughtfully integrate them into provocations that deepen and extend the learning journey.

In Reggio-inspired settings, children are viewed through a lens of strength and capability. They are:

• Capable: Encouraged to engage with complex ideas and embark on meaningful projects.
• Strong: Challenged to take risks, navigate problems, and explore theories.
• Rich in Potential: Provided with opportunities to discover, question, and gain new perspectives.
• Competent: Given access to real tools, high-quality materials, and thoughtfully designed environments that foster growth.
• Multi-Faceted: Artists, engineers, storytellers, and scientists, expressing their understanding through the “100 Languages” of learning.

This view underpins every interaction, ensuring children are active participants in their learning journey rather than passive receivers.

Pedagogical Documentation: Making Learning Visible

A core element of the Reggio Emilia philosophy is the documentation of learning—a process that celebrates children’s voices, ideas, and progress. Reggio-inspired educators are meticulous observers who:

• Capture observations through notes, photographs, video recordings, and discussions.
• Analyse children’s work, play, and conversations to identify emerging patterns and learning milestones.
• Balance spontaneous curiosity with broader curriculum goals to maintain a clear learning trajectory.

While daily, in-depth documentation may seem overwhelming in a busy premium nursery, focusing on smaller groups or rotating observations can make this process more practical. Tools like sticky notes affixed to children’s work, or quick photo annotations, are simple yet effective strategies.

Play as the Foundation of Learning

Play is often referred to as the “work of the child,” forming the backbone of holistic development. In premium British nurseries, where results-driven systems often dominate, play can sometimes be undervalued. However, Reggio-inspired educators champion play as an essential tool for:

• Language development, emotional well-being, and self-regulation.
• Exploration and discovery, encouraging children to interact with their environment in meaningful ways.
• Seamlessly integrating learning objectives into authentic, child-led play.

Educating parents, caregivers, and administrators on the critical role of play ensures it is valued as an indispensable component of a child’s educational experience.

Inquiry and Child-Led Learning

At the heart of the Reggio approach lies a commitment to inquiry-led, child-centred learning. Children’s innate curiosity acts as a spark for educators to:

• Observe emerging interests and design inquiry-based projects around them.
• Integrate academic goals into investigations—such as a spider discovery sparking lessons in science, maths, and literacy.
• Use tools like KWL charts (What do you Know? Want to Know? Learned?) to map children’s ideas and scaffold next steps.

Balancing open-ended, child-led exploration with the structure required by curriculum standards requires intentional, reflective planning. The result is an enriched learning experience that remains both meaningful and goal-oriented.

The 100 Languages of Learning

Reggio-inspired educators recognise that children communicate and express their understanding in myriad ways—referred to as the “100 Languages.” Beyond spoken and written words, children explore concepts through art, music, dance, storytelling, building, sculpture, and more. Premium British nurseries can harness these languages to:

• Create multi-sensory learning experiences that inspire exploration and innovation.
• Honour diverse ways of thinking and learning, moving beyond traditional assessments.

These expressive opportunities ensure every child’s voice is heard and valued.

The Environment as the Third Teacher

The Reggio Emilia approach considers the physical environment to be a child’s “third teacher,” alongside adults and peers. A carefully curated space reflects respect for children’s abilities and promotes independence. Key considerations include:

• Thoughtful use of natural light, calming colours, and tactile textures to create beautiful, inviting spaces.
• Open-ended materials, “loose parts,” and provocations that encourage creativity, discovery, and problem-solving.
• Flexible, well-organised spaces that allow children to move freely between activities and areas of interest.

In premium British nurseries, attention to aesthetic and functional design elevates the overall quality of the learning environment.

Blending Reggio with Structured Learning

A common misconception is that Reggio-inspired classrooms reject structured learning. In reality, premium nurseries often blend Reggio principles with elements of direct instruction to ensure a balanced approach. For example:

• Whole-group lessons in foundational areas like reading and maths can coexist with child-led inquiry and exploration.
• Flexibility allows educators to follow children’s interests while still meeting key developmental and curriculum goals.

This harmony between structure and exploration creates a dynamic, engaging, and effective learning environment.

As educators, we are co-learners, researchers, and guides who evolve alongside the children we teach. The Reggio Emilia philosophy offers a transformative approach to education—one that values curiosity, creativity, and connection. By embracing Reggio-inspired principles, premium British nurseries can cultivate joyful, meaningful, and memorable learning experiences that celebrate the immense potential of every child. Each provocation, inquiry, and play-based opportunity becomes a step toward nurturing confident, capable, and lifelong learners.