Working in a Mixed Age Approach
Accompanying Episode 4 of the Atelier Podcast
At Atelier Nursery, our approach to grouping children in “key families” draws inspiration from deeply held beliefs about belonging, connection, and respect. Rather than separating children strictly by age, we embrace mixed-age key families- small communities within our nursery where babies, toddlers, and preschoolers grow and learn alongside one another. This approach may seem unusual in the UK early years landscape, but we believe it reflects the real dynamics of human relationships and honours the way young children thrive in inclusive, relational spaces.
Grounded in Attachment, Grown in Connection
At the heart of mixed-age key families is the attachment relationship between children and their key person. Influenced by the work of Peter Elfer, we understand that a consistent, attuned key person provides not only emotional security but a base from which exploration and learning naturally unfold. This relationship is vital—and in our mixed-age groups, it becomes even more profound. Children remain within their key family as they grow, reducing the need for unnecessary transitions and enabling deep, trusted relationships to flourish over time.
This continuity of care aligns with the work of Jools Page, who has long advocated for a deeper understanding of professional love in early years practice. When children are seen and held within strong, reciprocal relationships—with peers and adults—they develop confidence, resilience, and a true sense of belonging. These are not “add-ons” to learning: they are the soil in which learning grows.
The Research Behind the Practice
Our thinking is also shaped by the pioneering work of Lilian Katz, who challenged the dominant assumption that children should be grouped solely by age. Katz argued that age-based groupings ignore the wide developmental variability between children and miss opportunities for richer learning through peer scaffolding. In mixed-age key families, younger children watch and imitate more experienced peers, while older children rehearse leadership, empathy, and care. This natural cycle of modelling and mentoring benefits everyone.
Siblings, Families, and the Right to Be Together
A powerful and often overlooked benefit of mixed-age groups is the opportunity for siblings to remain together. In a society that often separates children in educational and care contexts, we believe in protecting and valuing the sibling bond. For many children, their sibling represents safety, identity, and comfort. Welcoming siblings into the same key family, where appropriate, recognises their right to be together and reinforces the home-to-nursery connection that is so important for emotional wellbeing.
Responsibility and Independence
Children in mixed-age key families often demonstrate a remarkable capacity for responsibility and independence. Older children develop a sense of care for others, confidently stepping into the role of helper, guide, or comforter. Meanwhile, younger children benefit from this gentle guidance—learning social cues, language, and routines from peers rather than solely from adults. This dynamic fosters autonomy, mutual respect, and a collective responsibility that reflects the democratic values we champion at Atelier.
Mixed-Age Grouping: A Pedagogical Choice
This is not an organisational convenience; it is a deliberate pedagogical decision. Just as children grow up in families and communities where ages are mixed, we have designed our key family structure to reflect that reality. It is a model rooted in human connection, attachment theory, and high-quality early years practice. Internationally, this approach is echoed in places such as Reggio Emilia, where the idea of the “school as a system of relationships” supports children’s learning in interconnected, multi-age groups.
At Atelier, we have witnessed the quiet magic that happens when children of different ages live, play, and learn together. We see the hugs between siblings at lunchtime, the toddlers learning language by mimicking older children, and the pride of a three-year-old carefully helping a baby put on their shoes. These are not small moments—they are the heartbeat of our work.
Continuing the Conversation
We know that mixed-age key families may feel different from what some expect in early years provision. That’s why we’re using our podcast and this blog to share the thinking, evidence, and heart behind our decisions. We hope this episode has offered insight and inspiration into the way we do things at Atelier—and, most importantly, why.
If you’d like to explore this approach further, we’d love to hear from you. You can find the full podcast episode wherever you get your podcasts—or join us in person at Atelier Nursery to see key families in action