Becky Shortman the manager welcomes you to the Early Years family!

I am thrilled to welcome you to Episkopi Early Years here in Cyprus.

Located at the heart of Episkopi Garrison, our beautifully designed Early Years facility provides enriching educational experiences tailored to support every child’s natural curiosity, awe, and wonder. We focus on exploratory play within a resource-rich environment for children from birth to four years old.

Our aim is to give children the best possible start during these critical Early Years. As part of Defence Children Services, we adhere to the highest standards in creating a nurturing teaching and learning environment. At Episkopi Early Years, we have dedicated time to researching various approaches and theories that enhance children’s learning. We believe that children should lead their own learning journey within a safe and stimulating setting. To facilitate this approach, we take a moment-to-moment planning strategy, prioritising our children’s well-being and allowing them to engage deeply with their learning and surroundings. In our setting, children have all the time they need to explore and discover as curious little learners. We support their development through play and high-quality interactions, encouraging them to become independent and confident in their lifelong learning journey.

As a military wife myself, I understand the challenges of relocating to new environments with young children. I often refer to our setting as a ‘warm hug’ for all who join us, ensuring that we support each family and their young children during their stay on the island, regardless of its duration. I am passionate about Early Years Education and committed to providing an inclusive, supportive, and exciting service—filled with mud, glitter, and everything a curious mind can desire! I feel privileged to lead such a wonderful setting and hope you enjoy the journey alongside our Early Years team.

At Episkopi Early Years, our aim and objectives are centred around ensuring that children are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to fostering a sense of curiosity, confidence, and independence in our happy little learners.

We will strive to make your experience at Episkopi Early Years filled with joyful and positive memories of your child’s formative years.

Our Vision, Values and Aims

In our Early Years setting, we recognise that the experiences children receive from birth to the age of five are crucial for their development. Our focus is on creating an environment where children feel happy and secure, fostering a sense of belonging. We have explored various educational approaches to enhance learning, firmly believing that children should lead their learning journeys within a safe and stimulating environment, equipped with authentic, open-ended resources. We cherish every moment spent with the children, implementing a robust play pedagogy alongside appropriate adult-led activities to support their learning and essential skill development.

We believe that true learning occurs when children are engaged and content, and we are dedicated to providing them with the best possible start while also supporting their families. Our vision is for every child to grow into an independent, resilient, and confident individual. We cultivate curiosity by allowing ample time for exploration, ultimately striving for happy, engaged children as the cornerstone for effective learning and progress.

Our core values:

• Our core values:
• A home from home environment
• Child centred approach to learning
• Strong play pedagogy
• Free-flow environment
• Enriched offer through our curriculum
• Parents are close partners of the setting
• Home visits for initial meeting
• Strong transitions in and out of the setting
• Children are given time and space to explore with curiosity
• An experience full of awe and wonder!
• Everyone to feel welcome!