Using children’s interests to create rich and engaging learning

Jigsaw Preschool in Llandrindod Wells is a full day care provision for up to 40 children, offering care and education to children aged between 2 and 4 years. It is a registered Flying Start setting and a non-maintained education provider.  

Jigsaw Preschool places the well-being of children and staff at the centre of all it does. The vision for Jigsaw is to celebrate children who are independent, confident, happy and inquisitive learners. 

Jigsaw is a long-established early years setting with an experienced team focused on high-quality, nurturing care and strong family relationships. 

The setting continually evaluates practice and looks for ways to engage families to support children in leading their learning. One approach the setting uses is known as ‘I wonders.’ All families are asked to share the ‘I wonder’ discussions they have at home with their children. This can be as simple as a conversation when a fire engine whizzes by, a discussion about why the moon comes out at night, or a question about the size of a whale. Sharing the ‘I wonders’ is the spark to engaging children in learning and inspiring the team to incorporate these ideas into their planning. 

At the start of each term, families are invited to share their child’s ‘I Wonders’ with their key worker. These are displayed on the ‘I Wonder’ board and discussed as a whole team. Staff then brainstorm ideas together and with the children, creating an action plan to develop engaging, real-life experiences that all children can take part in. 

The ‘I Wonders’ focus on curiosity, imagination and a sense of awe, while also supporting children’s learning and development. The setting uses allocated funding each term to provide meaningful “wow” experiences linked to these interests. For example, following an ‘I Wonder’ about dinosaurs, the setting organised a dinosaur meet-and-greet where children could touch, stroke and interact with baby dinosaurs, as well as asking questions to knowledgeable handlers. This experience prompted further curiosity, with children asking deeper questions that staff supported through research using a range of media. 

Another ‘I Wonder’ focused on going on a train journey. As this experience was taking place during the Christmas period, staff organised a Polar Express experience. Father Christmas met the children at the local station, gave them golden tickets, and joined them on a half-hour train journey. During the trip, children enjoyed hot chocolate, festive snacks and received an ‘I Believe’ bell. 

These authentic, wonder-filled experiences allow children to engage with the wider community and spark meaningful conversations and further learning opportunities back at the setting. All staff are actively involved in planning, observing and reflecting on the ‘I Wonders,’ using observations to identify next steps and sharing learning with families.  Leaders dedicate time and funding each term to support this approach. 

Nearly all children are fully engaged in their learning. They sustain focus for extended periods and ask questions confidently. They actively seek answers and are developing strong independence skills, becoming confident and motivated learners. 

Parents report that sharing the ‘I Wonders’ helps them feel actively involved in their child’s learning. They can relate directly to the experiences their children enjoy at the setting, leading to deeper conversations at home and increased family involvement to supporting learning. 

The setting has shared a case study through local networks, and many settings have visited Jigsaw.