Hellerup Curriculum

Child-Centered Learning at Hellerup Preschool

Stepping Stones Preschool–Hellerup is a lovely nursery/preschool, located in a beautiful villa in Hellerup, close to parks and the beach.

We have 52 children, divided in three groups: the Pandas (age 1–2), the Giraffes (age 3–5), and the Zebras (age 3–5). Our ratio in the Pandas is one teacher to three children, and in the Zebras/Giraffes it is one teacher to six children.

The children are together early in the morning and in the late afternoon. From 9.30–14.00 the children are divided into their own groups, and during the day and during activities they are divided into smaller groups of 6–8 children, depending on the activity.

Individualized Learning with a Danish Curriculum

Stepping Stones preschool offers a well-rounded curriculum based on the common educational foundation as well as the six curriculum themes from the Danish strengthened pedagogical curriculum.

Stepping Stones preschool focuses on the importance of meeting each child as an individual human being, which develops in his/her own special way and we see the child’s unique potential for processing information in specific ways. Our approach to education caters to each child’s interests and learning styles.

We provide a rich environment and a variety of educational choices to help children direct, develop, and expand their own interests and unique talents. In addition, we support children in making their own choices both individually and as a group. We see education as a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being. It is not acquired by just hearing words, but by experiences in which the child interacts with its environment. This joy of discovery caused by doing and exploring develops a strong foundation for the child’s self-esteem.

Fostering Learning Through Play in Preschool

Preschool-age children are very active and curious, and they learn with every experience and play opportunity. In fact, the most important learning that takes place in this stage of development comes through play and ‘hands-on’ activities. Children use many different ways to show their understanding and express their thoughts and creativity. They express themselves through drawing, building, dance and movement, painting, sculpting, pretend play, modelling, and music.

It is important that we give them enough opportunities to express themselves. By incorporating these activities in our curriculum, we are encouraging their learning and development. Something very important in our daily approach to education is that learning and play are not separated.

Creating supportive learning environments is particularly important for children in vulnerable situations. We have a responsibility to support children facing diverse challenges, ensuring each child has the opportunity to actively participate.

Supporting Preschool Growth and Parent Involvement

Throughout the day, we provide breaks for them to unwind with toys, drawing, puzzles, or listening to a story. Our structure includes an educational component that allows them to engage in activities in their own way. Our framework and guidelines are designed to nurture each child individually and support their growth. We maintain close communication with parents through relevant meetings to provide optimal support and guidance on their child’s development. In addition, we see the parents as the child’s first teacher.

Here at Stepping Stones, we encourage parents to participate actively in our community, being part of celebrations and various events and topics throughout the year, as they are a vital component for the children and our community. Preschoolers are constantly on the move, exploring their world with exuberance, curiosity, and a seemingly endless source of energy. A child’s capacity for learning in this stage is enormous. They learn and develop from every experience, relationship, and adventure they encounter.

Fostering Learning Through Play in Preschool

Preschool-age children are very active and curious, and they learn with every experience and play opportunity. In fact, the most important learning that takes place in this stage of development comes through play and ‘hands-on’ activities. Children use many different ways to show their understanding and express their thoughts and creativity. They express themselves through drawing, building, dance and movement, painting, sculpting, pretend play, modelling, and music.

It is important that we give them enough opportunities to express themselves. By incorporating these activities in our curriculum, we are encouraging their learning and development. Something very important in our daily approach to education is that learning and play are not separated.

Creating supportive learning environments is particularly important for children in vulnerable situations. We have a responsibility to support children facing diverse challenges, ensuring each child has the opportunity to actively participate.

At Stepping Stones, we aim to create the space and provide plenty of opportunities to explore objects, the world around them, and play in different environments to help develop their imagination and master the motor, cognitive, language, and social skills that are essential for future development. On the following you can read more about how we are working with the six pedagogical themes:

Comprehensive personal development & Social development

At Stepping Stones, one of our greatest strengths is our size and teacher ratio. As a smaller school, both the children and teachers are familiar with each other, which helps us cultivate a sense of community. This family-like atmosphere is one of our core values, and we believe it makes all the difference in providing a nurturing and friendly environment for our students.

From early in the morning, children greet each other and the teachers in a warm way, showing trust and affection. Our priority is to provide a secure and comfortable space so that we can achieve the best possible conditions for the development of the individual child. Throughout our daily activities, we make sure that every child has the chance to demonstrate their abilities and we praise their efforts and actions.

We encourage the children to express their own ideas and to describe themselves positively. Furthermore, we encourage them to interact cooperatively with their peers while playing, reading, sharing materials and doing activities together. The child’s feelings must be understood and recognized, and children need to feel accepted. We recognize the child, his/her resources and feelings and we allow them to participate freely to strengthen the child’s interests and emotions.

For example, we do this by being flexible in relation to planned activities. Moreover, we guide the children towards confident self-expression in music, meanwhile gaining physical coordination and control of their bodies, voices, and emotions. Being an international preschool and having many different nationalities in our classrooms, we understand and recognize the children’s cultural diversity.

Goals & Achievements

Language & Communication

Through activities such as story time, ‘book show-and-tell’, puppet shows, singing rhymes, games and playing, children grow an interest in language and books. Story time is an important activity in our curriculum as we believe it is very beneficial to promote their listening skills, comprehension and vocabulary as we ask questions about the story and talk about it afterwards. Children also gain confidence and become accustomed with the language as they are encouraged to listen and share their opinions and experiences throughout group and individual activities such as circle time.

We encourage the children to use sentences instead of individual words as they become more and more familiar with the English language. In addition, we use different tools, materials and methods to introduce the children to the first pre-writing and reading steps, such as learning letter recognition, formation and sounds. The children learn and practice language using fun and engaging tools (playdough, sand, paper, pompoms, trays, and much more).

Goals & Achievements

Body movement & Senses

In order to develop control over their large and small muscles, children are encouraged to use their body through physical activities and games, body movement and music, outdoor play, field trips and, through self-help practices such as going up and down the stairs, cutting fruits and mixing ingredients during cooking class. In addition, they gain autonomy and independence by doing regular tasks such as getting dressed, tidying up, setting up the tables for lunch, pouring water in their glass, serving the food on their plates and helping to clean up after themselves when needed.

We also promote their fine motor skills by teaching them how to hold the pencil, use age-appropriate scissors and do small manipulative activities such as building with Lego and playing with beads. As part of our curriculum, children also learn about fire safety, first aid skills, health, nutrition and hygiene.

Goals & Achievements

Culture, aesthetics & community

Aesthetic experiences give the child the opportunity to share, reflect and understand their own experiences and thoughts. Curiosity, sensation, play and imagination are part of the aesthetic learning process and can create new perspectives and views that become new knowledge and new learning. Therefore, the child must be supported in creating cultural expressions in a learning environment that involves the child in the process, appreciates engagement and construction, as well as the child’s own experimental expression.

The child should feel that his/her way of managing time and space, play, friendships and conflicts is met with curiosity and respect. At Stepping Stones, we encourage a democratic environment by promoting dialogue with the children and giving them the right communication skills. Children learn to listen, respect others’ opinions, to express their own opinion and wishes and develop both as individuals and as members of a society

Goals & Achievements

Focusing on culture within diverse learning settings allows children to explore different aspects of themselves, express their thoughts in various ways, and develop a deeper understanding of their environment.

Nature & Science

As part of our curriculum, we focus on themes and activities that teach children about nature, the weather, the animal kingdom and the human body. We use our daily practices to explain why nature works the way it does while children are experiencing it—for example, why it rains or how plants grow. We show children how to take care of nature, trees, plants, flowers and animals, and involve them in hands-on activities such as watering plants and helping with the outdoor area.

In addition, we incorporate recycling activities and create art projects using various materials like boxes, plastic bottles, and natural elements. Field trips also play an important role in the learning process, allowing children to experience and learn directly from nature.

Goals & Achievements

Engaging in outdoor activities can significantly enhance children’s physical abilities, including increased strength, improved coordination, and enhanced flexibility. Furthermore, positive interactions with nature can cultivate a sense of environmental respect. Science experiments provide a valuable opportunity for children to explore the world, encouraging a healthy level of skepticism and problem-solving skills.

Evaluation

A good children’s environment is essential for learning and development. To achieve this, we consider different types of environments and perspectives. The physical environment supports movement, space, and hygiene, while both indoor and outdoor areas promote exploration and growth. The aesthetic environment—through thoughtful design and decoration—influences children’s experiences and behavior. The psychological environment shapes how children feel and interact, and is built on relationships, communication, and mutual understanding.

At Stepping Stones Preschool, we value each child’s individuality and encourage their sense of belonging by letting them help decorate their classrooms. Our small group sizes ensure more individual attention, and our monthly themes explore topics like relationships, nature, and cultural celebrations. We foster strong communication among children, parents, and teachers.

To maintain a high quality of education, we regularly evaluate our environment and teaching. This includes monthly staff meetings, an annual curriculum assessment, and collaboration with international schools to support smooth transitions. Each child receives a yearly assessment report to support their progress and guide the parent–teacher meeting.

A glimpse into our everyday joy

Life at Stepping Stones in Hellerup

Happy parents, happy kids

Real stories from our Preschool Families

Simin Chen
I would highly recommend any child that would like to have an international exposure to enroll in this school.
"Stepping stones in Charlottenlund has the most caring, patient and kind teachers. They are superb!! It is an international school with high standards of teachers. My child started in stepping stone at the age of 2.5 years old and we were very concerned at that time as she was not speaking at the age of 2. After 6 months in stepping stones polar bears(1-3 years old class) , she started to speak a lot and in complete sentences. She will impress us with new words every other day and completed potty training before 3 years old. They always having lots of outings, e.g. park, train station, etc. The polar bears(1-3 years old) teachers, Delfi, Danai, Cata and Azul, are simply loving and amazing, making all children felt loved and happy.

My child then moved to the older class when she was 3 years old, the teachers in tigers are also amazing making the transition as smooth as possible. She is absolutely happy in the school and I would highly recommend any child that would like to have an international exposure to enroll in this school."
Míriam Vagli Barbosa
This is the best kindergarten in Copenhagen, I can only recommend it!
"This is the best kindergarten in Copenhagen, I can only recommend it! When our family arrived in Denmark I visited many places, but Stepping Stones was absolutely the best, by far.

The place is very clean, organized, safe for the kids (there are always many teachers around, the kids are NEVER alone/unattended) and very cozy. It was the perfect welcoming place for both our daughters, at the time 5 and 1 year old. The oldest one learned how to speak English perfectly in 3 months (from scratch), thanks to Stepping Stones great teachers and because it's such an international environment with kids from all over the world. It's not only a welcoming place for kids, but also for parents.

We could build great friendships there, a real community that helps each other, which is so important when living abroad. Thank you, Stepping Stones and all the families, you are amazing!"
Alexandra Szücs
My little girl has been attending daycare for 5 months. I wholeheartedly recommend this institution.
"My little girl has been attending daycare for 5 months. She really likes going there, and at home, she pretends to pack up and go to daycare on her own.

She is surrounded by a supportive environment and dedicated teachers and participates in various development programs every day.

At the beginning, she didn’t know English at all, but now she understands what they say and learns the language effortlessly through songs and games. Education on room cleanliness has also been carried out with excellent cooperation. I wholeheartedly recommend this institution."
Pavlina Nehrebecki
Both our daughters have loved this nursery / pre-school!
"Both our daughters have loved this nursery / pre-school! Especially when arriving to a new country, finding the right place where your little ones feel safe and happy is so important. And we found just that place in Stepping stones.

The teachers care deeply about every child personally, the environment is friendly, encouraging natural curiosity and growth.

If you are looking for a place that your kids will love going to and you will feel at peace knowing they are not only looked after, but thriving, then this is it. (we have experienced both the toddler 1-3 YO and the pre-schooler 3-6 YO groups and have had equally positive experience)."
Marcin Kamieński
Our experience has been exceptional, we highly recommend this preschool.
"My kid joined the nursery when she was one year old, and the teachers’ commitment, care and professionalism made the transition so natural and so loving that our parental hearts knew that this was THE PLACE where we felt confident to leave our little one for the day.

The teachers are very engaged and warm, and the school provides a diverse educational curriculum and nurturing environment so that my kid never wants to leave it. The preschool facilities are clean and cosy. Our experience has been exceptional, we highly recommend this preschool."
Ragıp Ergen
My son has been going to this nursery for 1 year. It is definitely a peaceful and fun school.
"My son has been going to this nursery for 1 year. We first chose the school and then settled in that area because school is very important for us, and now we are very happy because it is a boutique school and all the staff are very educated.

Their priority is always not to shake the child's self-confidence and to show respect as an individual. For example, all teachers communicate with the children at eye level and calmly as much as possible. It is definitely a peaceful and fun school."
Regina Gatina
Kids are enjoying to learn new things and developing new skills. I can't imagine better place for my son, highly recommended.
"The best school ever, my son feels there very comfortable and enjoy time in the school, teachers are very supportive and paying attention to each student with love and full respect to their needs.

The curriculum of the school is perfect, kids are enjoying to learn new things and developing new skills. I can't imagine better place for my son, highly recommended."
Stella Nelby
Stepping Stones has great values a caring and qualified team of teachers
"Stepping Stones has great values a caring and qualified team of teachers. Being danish, I love my children learn the english language which gives them a huge advantage once they graduate from the pre school.

Thank you to everyone in Stepping Stones Charlottenlund"
Sadullah Gölbaşı
The teachers make the children feel that every child is special.
"A school that gives importance to the well-being of children as much as it gives importance to their nutrition. The teachers make the children feel that every child is special."
Mette Walter
Best nursery / pre-school in the Copenhagen area
"Best nursery / pre-school in the Copenhagen area. Super cozy nurturing environment and wonderful caring teachers. Highly recommend it."