Hygge Approach

What is Hygge and why is it beneficial to my child?

Hygge (pronounced Hoo-gah) is a practise originating in Denmark. This is the same region as the origins of Forest School and the ethos surrounding this practise. Denmark has consistently been given the title of Happiest Nation in the World by the Happiness Research institute and expert Meik Wiking.

Meik Wiking is Author of The Little Book of Hygge.

Hygge is about creating cosy, calm, homely and welcoming space (not just within a Nursery but in all environments) that embrace nature, cosiness, time and neutral colour schemes.

It is the practise of giving time and space for togetherness, acceptance, a celebration of individuality and inclusively for everyone and all.

Essentially, it is the capture of a home-from-home environment where children feel welcomed, calm, valued and enabled. The day is not rushed, but instead, each moment is savoured and given the appreciation it requires.

The emphasis is on time well spent treasuring our little ones individuality and giving them the space, time and support they need in order to embrace and fully explore their own play, ideas and thoughts. The key element to this is social interaction and our team of Big Explorers are available to observe, extend and support each one of our children with their own areas and levels of development.

Overall, Hygge (which is derived from the Danish word for Hug or Well-being) fosters a warm, relaxed, close and comfortable environment to encourage our children to explore fully in line with their own individual thinking and creativity. We believe this, in the rushed, busy and often manic world we live in today, to be of utmost importance in the development of our children.