Hub FAQ’s
GroWild Hubs: Parent FAQs
What is a Hub Team?
A Hub Team is a small group of familiar staff who will support a specific age range of children at GroWild.
Our hubs will be:
18 months – 2 years
2 – 3 year olds
3 – 4 year olds
This means your child will be known and supported by a small team of key adults, rather than relying on just one individual person.
Why are you introducing Hub Teams?
We are introducing Hub Teams to strengthen consistency, communication and support for children and families.
The hub approach will help us to:
make sure every child is well known by a small, consistent team
improve daily handovers and parent communication
ensure parents always have a familiar person to speak to
support children’s development within their age and stage
adapt our nature-led curriculum more carefully for each age range
support transitions as children move through the nursery
give focused support to our school leavers as they prepare for their next stage of learning
Does this mean my child will no longer have a key person?
Your child will still have key people who know them well.
Instead of one individual adult holding all key person responsibility, your child will be supported by a small Hub Team. This means there will be more than one familiar adult who understands your child’s routines, interests, development, friendships and family communication.
This helps to make the key person approach more consistent, especially when staff are away, on training, supporting another area, or unavailable at handover.
Will I still know who to speak to about my child?
Yes. You will be told who is in your child’s Hub Team, and we will share this with you individually.
You will receive information about your child’s hub, including pictures and details of the key persons within it, so you know exactly who is supporting your child and who you can speak to.
What happens if my child’s usual key person is away?
One of the main reasons for introducing Hub Teams is to make this easier for families.
If one member of staff is away, another familiar adult within your child’s hub will be able to support your child and speak with you. This means communication does not rely on just one person being available.
Will children be separated by age group?
No. The hub system does not mean children will be separated in the woodland or kept away from other age groups.
Children will still have opportunities to play across the setting, spend time with friends and siblings, and build relationships with the wider GroWild team.
The hubs are about improving organisation, communication and support behind the scenes. They are not about limiting children’s play or freedom within the environment.
Will my child still spend time with the full team?
Yes. Your child will continue to build relationships with the wider GroWild team.
The Hub Team will be the main group of adults who take responsibility for knowing your child well, communicating with you, supporting observations and planning next steps. However, children will still be supported, cared for and played alongside by other members of staff across the setting.
How will this support my child’s development?
The hub approach allows staff to focus more closely on the needs of each age range.
For example, our youngest children may need more support with settling, attachment, language, routines, toileting, sleep and physical confidence. Our 2–3 year olds may need support with independence, communication, emotional development and early friendships. Our 3–4 year olds may need more opportunities to build confidence, responsibility, resilience and school readiness.
This helps us adapt our nature-led curriculum in a way that is meaningful and appropriate for each stage of development.
How will this support transitions between age ranges?
Hub Teams will help us make transitions more gradual and supportive.
As children grow and move towards the next age range, staff will be able to work together to prepare them gently. This may include supporting new routines, building relationships with adults in the next hub, sharing information between teams, and helping children feel confident as their needs change.
This means transitions will feel less sudden and more familiar for children and families.
How will this support school leavers?
Our oldest children will benefit from more focused support as they prepare for their next stage of learning.
This does not mean formal school-style teaching. At GroWild, school readiness is supported through independence, confidence, communication, emotional regulation, resilience, problem solving, physical development, friendships and responsibility.
The hub system will help us make sure our school leavers are being supported intentionally, while still learning through play, nature, relationships and real experiences.
Will the nature-led curriculum change?
Our nature-led curriculum will remain at the heart of GroWild.
The hub system simply helps us adapt the curriculum more carefully for different ages and stages. Children will continue to experience woodland play, seasonal learning, tools, fire, mud kitchen play, movement, creativity, loose parts, storytelling, gardening and nature connection.
The difference is that staff will be able to think more clearly about how these experiences support the needs of each age group.
Will siblings still be able to see each other?
Yes. We know that sibling relationships can be very important, especially in a mixed-age outdoor setting.
Where appropriate, children will still have opportunities to see, play alongside and spend time with siblings and children from other age groups.
Will this affect observations and updates?
The hub system should help us improve observations, updates and communication.
Because each child will be known by a small team, staff will be able to share observations, notice patterns in children’s play, and support next steps more consistently. It also means that if one adult has not seen a particular moment, another familiar adult may still be able to contribute to your child’s learning story.
Who will be responsible for parent communication?
Your child’s Hub Team will be responsible for knowing your child well and communicating with you.
There may be times when one particular member of staff speaks with you more regularly, but the aim is that you feel confident speaking to any member of your child’s Hub Team.
For more sensitive or detailed conversations, we may arrange a time for you to speak with the most appropriate member of staff or a member of the management team.
Will I get to meet my child’s Hub Team?
Yes. We will share information with you individually about your child’s hub, including pictures and information about the key persons within it.
There will also be an opportunity for you to meet the Hub Team and ask any questions.
When will I find out which hub my child is in?
We will share this information with families directly.
You will receive individual information about your child’s hub, the staff within it, and what this means for your child.
What should I do if I have a question or concern?
Please speak to a member of your child’s Hub Team or contact us through the usual communication channels.
We want parents to feel reassured, informed and involved as we introduce this change. If you have any questions about how the hub system will work for your child, we will be happy to talk this through with you.
