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Building Character Through Intercultural Education

Our Values-Based Approach to Early Years Development

At Hatching Dragons, character education is woven into everything we do. In a world of growing complexity, we believe it’s vital to help children develop a strong moral foundation, one that helps them understand themselves, others, and the global community they’re part of. We don’t just teach children what to learn, we help them discover how to be..

The Challenge: 

Raising Ethical Thinkers in a Changing World

From rising social pressures to rapid technological change, children today are growing up in a world that asks more of them than ever before, emotionally, ethically, and socially.
At Hatching Dragons, we recognise that global citizenship education must begin with strong values. Children need a compass to guide their thinking, choices and relationships, one that is rooted in both ancient wisdom and modern empathy.
That’s why we’ve created a unique, intercultural curriculum that blends traditional pedagogy with real-world relevance. Our character development approach is reflective, age-appropriate, and anchored in kindness, justice, and respect.

 

Building Character

The Values We Teach

Each month, our nursery teams introduce a guiding value, an ethical principle we explore together through stories, discussion and everyday actions. These values are chosen to be inclusive and universally meaningful, and each is linked to a region of the world, helping children explore cultural capital through a values-led lens. We use circle time and classroom discussions to reflect with children and staff alike. These values are embedded in behavior modelling and celebrated throughout our nurseries.

 

Courtesy in children
January

Courtesy

Courtesy is about treating others with kindness and empathy so we can build positive, respectful relationships. We remind children that small acts of politeness create a happier community.

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honesty in Children
February

Honesty

Honesty means being truthful with ourselves and others, even when it’s difficult. We help children understand that honesty builds trust, friendship, and confidence in who they are.

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Good behavior in children
March

To Be Good

Being good is about doing the right thing — guided by fairness, kindness, and courage. Children learn that their choices affect both themselves and the people around them.

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side-view-kids-high-five
April

Respect

Respect is about listening, valuing others, and learning from everyone we meet. By showing respect, children discover how mutual understanding helps us all grow.

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21 September - International Day of Peace
May

Harmony / Peace

Harmony means living in balance with ourselves, others, and the world. We teach children that peace comes from kindness, cooperation, and caring for our environment.

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Temperance in children
June

Temperance

Temperance is learning self-control — managing feelings, words, and actions responsibly. Children discover that making thoughtful choices brings better outcomes for everyone.

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Doing the right thing
July

Doing Right

Doing right isn’t always easy, but it helps us build fairness and justice in our lives. We guide children to see that integrity and responsibility earn respect from others.

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Value - August Consideration
August

Consideration

Consideration is about empathy and thinking of others before ourselves. We encourage children to notice how their actions affect people around them and to choose kindness.

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Wisdom in children
September

Wisdom

Wisdom means thinking before we act, making good decisions, and learning from experience. We nurture children’s natural curiosity so they grow into thoughtful, reflective individuals.

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young-boy-playing-indoors-with-eco-toys
October

To Do Good

Doing good means being kind, generous, and helpful in everyday life. We encourage children to see how small, positive actions can make a big difference in the world.

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courage in children
November

Courage

Courage is having the bravery to be ourselves and the strength to keep going, even when things are tough. We show children that resilience builds confidence and character.

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loyalty in children
December

Loyalty

Loyalty means being true to our friends, families, and beliefs. We help children understand that loyalty builds trust and strong, lasting relationships.

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Intercultural Nursery Education

Our Regional Themes

Each month we investigate the people, places, plant life, animals, objects and activities of a particular region and culture. It is a central theme that allows the teachers to research the literature, myths, songs and stories; the arts, crafts and ceramics and textiles from a region; the dance forms and dramatic arts; it allows the chef to look into the cuisine for cookery classes and so much more. These regional themes are launch pads that allow our teachers to interpret and interrogate it in whatever way the children want to pursue it, starting with the stories, songs and myths of the region, we can develop it across the arts, dance, drama and more...

January - Arctic & Polar Regions-1-1
January Arctic & Polar Regions

Arctic & Polar Peoples

In January, we investigate the colder climates and cultures of the world - the Sami and Inuit peoples and what life is like for the animals and peoples of the Arctic and Polar regions. It's a time for snow, ice, polar bears and penguins and how we can / should change our behaviour to safeguard the icecaps and ecosystems of the poles...  

February - China & East Asia-1-1
February China & East Asia

The Confucian Cultures

In February we look to the "Confucian" cultures of East Asia - China, Korea and Japan to look into their mythologies, languages and cultural traditions in the arts, cuisine and story telling. There is such magic to be found in those stories - dragons and immortals, monkey kings and kung fu...all inspiring stuff for young minds...

March - Northern Europe-1-1
March UK and Northern Europe

UK & Northern Europe

In March we look at the United Kingdom and Northern Europe - France, Germany, Holland and Belgium: the Flemish, Francophone and Germanic regions of the world, with their cuisine, culture and customs and cities front and centre to our thematic learning....

April - Southern Europe-1-1
April Southern Europe

The Roman & Hellenic Cultures

In April, we turn to the Roman and Hellenic cultures of southern Europe: Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal - the wonderful food and produce that the sunnier parts of Europe produce and how the histories and mythologies of some of their greatest thinkers have given us much of what we think and do today...

May - India & the Subcontinent-1-1
May India & the Subcontinent

South East Asia & India

As we move into the summer months, we start to investigate the Hindu and Buddhist traditions of South East Asia and the Subcontinent - the rich food, the vibrant colours and climate, and wonderful mythologies of Hindu and Buddhist legend...

June - Russia & Eastern Europe-1-1
June Russia & The East

Russia, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

We look to Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia in June to understand the lives of the people of the Steppes and Central plains, the slavic traditions and those of the nomadic cultures of the grasslands of central Asia.

July - Africa-1-1
July Africa

Africa - North & South

For such a large place, one month seems too little to investigate such a richly diverse region in full. Our teachers can pick and choose a specific focus within the region to investigate with the children - the Massai of East Africa; the Yoruba of West Africa; the Berbers of the North; or the Zulu of the South, to name but a few...

South-pacific-australia-new-zealand
August Australasia

Australasia & the Pacific Rim

In August, we investigate the cultures of the pacific islands of the south - the Maori, Hawaiians and Fijians; Tongans and the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, how maritime culture and history is deeply rooted in their traditions and myths

September - Middle East-250X200 web
September Middle East

The Middle East & Muslim World

We look into the cultures of the middle east and the muslim world, from old Arabia and Persia through to the modern day, observing the landscapes and the desert traditions of the bedouin 

October - North America-1-2
October North America

North Americas

In October we look into North America - the USA and Canada - and their cultural traditions, stories, histories and breathtaking landscapes. We look at the Native Americans and their rich oral, agrarian and artistic traditions

November - South & Central America-1-1-1
November South & Central America

South & Central America

In November, we look at South and Central America, looking at the rich diversity of custom and culture across the region, the dance forms, vibrant colours in textiles and richness of the cuisine and oral traditions. We look at the Amazon and what we can do to protect it...

December - Scandinavia & North Europe-1-1
December Scandinavia

Northern Europe & Scandinavia

In December, we look into the cultural traditions of Northern Europe - the Scandinavians, Vikings and Saxons, their mythologies and fables, landscapes and languages

Curating Cultural Capital Through Global Exploration

 
Our curriculum uses these values as gateways to a broader world of ideas, stories and traditions. Every region is explored through arts, literature, music, food, celebrations and languages, so children learn not only about the world, but also what it feels like to be part of it.
By embedding this into our early learning centre model, we give children the opportunity to:
  • Build early empathy and global awareness
  • Connect values with real-world behaviours
  • See difference as a strength
  • Engage with a wide range of cultural materials
  • Understand how diverse societies function
It’s what makes our nurseries stand out as centres for multicultural education and personal growth.
Curating Cultural Capital Through Global Exploration

A Balanced Pedagogy: Child-Led & Adult-Guided

 

We combine child-led exploration with intentional, adult-guided teaching, because both approaches matter.
Just as we teach phonics and numeracy through structure and play, we introduce values and culture through conversation, guided discussion, and hands-on learning. We support children as they make sense of big ideas in small, meaningful ways.
We believe that critical thinking, kindness, and cooperation can be taught, when they’re modelled and practised daily.
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Annual Global Curriculum: 12 Regions, 12 Journeys
 
Every month, we explore a new region of the world as part of our global learning pathway:
 
  • January: Arctic & Polar Peoples
  • February: China & East Asia
  • March: Northern Europe
  • April: Southern Europe
  • May: India & the Subcontinent
  • June: Russia & Eastern Europe
  • July: Africa
  • August: Australia & South Pacific
  • September: Middle East
  • October: North America
  • November: South & Central America
  • December: Scandinavia
This layered approach gives children a strong sense of belonging, both locally and globally.
Multicultural and Intercultural Childcare

Our Nursery Schools

Our nursery schools are based in the heart of London, serving working families in the City, Westminster and Canada Water. Whether you're searching for a nursery near me or a values-led childcare provider, we're here to help.
City of London nursery school and kindergarten
08:00-18:30

City of London

Ideal for professionals seeking convenient childcare close to the office.

City of London
Westminster Pimlico Nursery interior
08:00-18:00

Westminster (Pimlico)

Located on the grounds of St James the Less Church with outdoor play areas.

Westminster
Canada Water-Interior Design (2)-1-3-1
07:30-18:30

Canada Water

Forest school facilities set in Lavender Park Nature Reserve.

Canada Water

Multilingualism & Global Citizenship

 

Our values-led curriculum is enriched through multilingual education. Specialist language teachers introduce Mandarin and other future-facing languages through immersive learning.

This supports:

  • Language fluency
  • Memory and focus
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Intercultural competence

Together, this prepares children not just to succeed, but to belong, lead and contribute in a multilingual world.

 

Our Education