The Learning Experience, a brand-new nursery has just landed in sunny East Finchley. The nursery is their first UK centre.
The Learning Experience (TLE) is a nursery group founded by the Weissman family in Florida in 1980, which has grown to include more than 275 locations across the USA, 90 per cent of which are franchised nurseries. There are ambitious plans to open more than 70 nurseries in the UK over the next five years, initially concentrating on the South East of England region.
Fiona Smith is the Managing Director of TLE. She joined the company in late 2018 and is responsible for launching and driving the franchise expansion of the brand in the UK. As she explains: “The Learning Experience has been growing very rapidly since franchise operations began in 2003 at an average rate one centre a week in the United States. This expansion is real validation of the level of care and learning that we provide, and we’re very excited at the prospect of repeating this success in the UK.”
The corporate-owned site in East Finchley is the first in the UK and provides high quality care from twelve weeks old to five years old from 7.30am – 6.30pm, Monday – Friday. Anticipation is high according to Fiona: “We are thrilled to welcome potential new learners to our centre for lots of fun on 31st July”.
The East Finchley centre has been designed to replicate the US model, including use of vibrant colours, an individual security fob system and a drive-up entrance for dropping off and collecting children. There are interactive touch screen boards and a ‘Make Believe Boulevard’ area for dramatic play.
All TLE nurseries follow its unique, trademarked L.E.A.P. (Learning Experience Academic Programme) curriculum, which has been specially adapted for England to the meet the Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework. The curriculum aims to use fun, hands-on activities to help children develop intellectually, socially and cognitively.
TLE also has a cast of colourful characters which have been designed to encourage and teach children a new value or activity, from Lionstein (science) to Miss Chevious (sports and movement) and Two Plus Toucan (maths) to Bongo Bear (music). The real hero is Bubbles, the fun and friendly elephant.
For more information on the nursery please visit: www.thelearningexperience.co.uk
