Little Movers, Curious Minds: Why Movement Matters to Us
Updated: 2 days ago
A toddler swaying to a favourite song. A child stretching up to make a tower taller. Friends pretending to stomp through the jungle together.
For young children, movement is part of exploring the world. At Ipswich Preschool, we’re planning to make it a natural part of each day, alongside caring relationships, creative play, stories and time to rest.
Growing from our dance school roots
Ipswich Preschool is growing from Ipswich School of Dancing, our family-run school. Through our work with children, we’ve seen the enjoyment that music and movement can bring—from joining in with a familiar action song to finding the confidence to try something new.
We want to bring that warmth and encouragement into a broad early years experience. Children won’t need any dance experience, and there will be no pressure to perform or get the steps right. Our focus will be on exploration, expression and enjoyment.
Learning through everyday movement
We’re planning opportunities for children to explore movement in playful, purposeful ways:
Action songs and rhymes: joining in with words, gestures and familiar patterns.
Musical games: exploring sounds, listening for changes and taking turns.
Imaginative movement: floating like a butterfly, stretching like a cat or stepping through an imaginary forest.
Building and creating: carrying blocks, rolling dough and making marks with brushes.
Active play: exploring balance, coordination and different ways to move, with appropriate support.
These experiences will sit alongside books, conversation, pretend play, early mathematical exploration and creative activities as part of our planned approach to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Nurture comes first
Every child joins in differently. Some may head straight towards the instruments; others may prefer to watch, stay close to a familiar adult or explore quietly before taking part.
We want children to feel secure and accepted at their own pace. Our planned activities will be adapted to children’s interests, abilities and needs, with space for both energetic play and quieter moments.
Movement is one part of our vision. Feeling listened to, building trusting relationships and having time to follow their curiosity will matter just as much.
Simple ideas to enjoy at home
You don’t need special equipment to share a little musical play:
Sing a favourite nursery rhyme and let your child invent the actions.
Take turns making a clapping rhythm for the other person to copy.
Act out a favourite story together.
Play a familiar song and explore moving slowly, quickly or gently.
Let your child lead—you might discover a completely new way to dance!
Keep it relaxed, make sure there’s room to move safely and follow your child’s interest.
A playful beginning at Ipswich Preschool
We’re planning a welcoming preschool for children aged 2 until they start school, where nurture, learning, music and movement belong together.
Our opening is planned for April 2027, subject to Ofsted registration.
To find out more about our plans, visit our Register Your Interest page.
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