Ashbridge Independent School and Nurseries
The impact of ateliers on children’s creative learning
Who we are
We are Linda and Charlotte, part of the Quality Team at Ashbridge, with many years of experience in early years education. Our roles allow us to work across all four nursery settings, supporting children’s learning and development. Linda leads preschool classrooms, while Charlotte focuses on the overall quality of care and education across age groups.
Two of our nurseries, Hutton and Maxy Farm, already have dedicated ateliers led by specialist atelieristas. These creative studios give children a unique space to explore art and self-expression in a purposeful, thoughtful way. This led us to ask:
How does having an atelier impact children’s engagement with the expressive arts?
What we learned
- Deeper engagement: children in ateliers showed higher levels of focus and persistence, often returning to projects over several days.
- Confidence and expression: even children who were usually less interested in art became enthusiastic and confident when supported by an atelierista.
- Child-led creativity: ateliers encourage open-ended exploration. Children have the time, space and freedom to fully immerse themselves in their ideas.
- Language and emotional growth: children expressed themselves more clearly, using creative storytelling, new vocabulary and symbolic play.
- Social skills: working alongside peers in creative projects nurtured collaboration, problem-solving and positive relationships.
- The role of the atelierista: having a dedicated adult whose role is to champion creativity made a noticeable difference. Children gained confidence, new techniques, and a sense of pride in their achievements.
Why it matters
Research supports our findings: creative learning not only strengthens focus, memory and problem-solving but also boosts emotional well-being and school readiness. Ateliers are more than art rooms; they are inclusive spaces where every child’s ideas are valued, helping them feel empowered and capable.
Children are given the opportunity to express themselves in ways that might not always be available in formal classroom settings.
What’s next?
- Expanding atelier opportunities across all Ashbridge sites
- Involving parents to connect atelier experiences with home learning
- Linking creative sessions with other areas, such as forest and gardening activities
- haring best practice through staff training and apprenticeships, led by our atelieristas
At Ashbridge, we believe creativity is at the heart of learning. The atelier model is helping us nurture curious, confident, and expressive children, ready for the next stage of their journey.