How gamified learning is transforming development at N

At N, learning isn’t something that happens once and gets ticked off a list. It’s something we live, practise, and build every day.

Because in early years education, what we learn directly shapes the experiences we create for children.

That’s why we’ve designed the N Academy to go beyond traditional training, and why we’ve embraced gamified learning powered by platforms like Attensi.

Moving beyond “click-through” training

We’ve all experienced training that feels like a box-ticking exercise - slides to click through, information to skim, and little that truly stays with you.

But in a nursery environment, that’s simply not enough.

As our COO Mark explains, “We’d reached a point where traditional e-learning - click-through modules, passive videos etc. wasn’t matching the pace or complexity of our growth.”

“In a nursery environment, decision-making is dynamic, people-led, and often nuanced. We needed something that allowed our teams to practise those decisions, not just read about them.”

That’s where Attensi stood out.

“It brings learning into a simulated, real-world context,” says Mark. “It’s immersive, repeatable, and importantly, it makes learning something people want to engage with rather than something they feel they have to complete. It is also fun!”

Learning by doing (not just reading)

Through gamified learning, we create interactive, scenario-based experiences that reflect real situations our teams may face.

This means learning becomes:

• Practical, not theoretical
• Engaging, not passive
• Memorable, not forgettable

Whether it’s responding to a safeguarding concern, supporting a child’s development, or navigating a busy nursery morning, our teams can practise decision-making in a safe environment before applying it in real life.

“At N, we believe learning should be continuous, practical, and empowering,” says Mark.

“Gamified learning supports that by allowing safe practice without real-world risk, reinforcing learning through repetition and consequence, and meeting people where they are, rather than expecting everyone to learn the same way.”

“It shifts learning from a one-off event to something more embedded in day-to-day thinking.”

Designed for real people, real roles

Every role at N is different, and so is every learning journey.

Through the N Academy, team members can:

• Access training on desktop or mobile, whenever it works for them
• Track their progress and stay on top of key learning milestones
• Build confidence step by step, from induction through to leadership

From the very first week, learning is structured to help people feel supported, capable, and part of something bigger.

The learning experience is also designed to support different learning styles.

“It naturally caters to a mix,” says Mark. “Visual learners through the simulated environment, experiential learners through decision-making, and reflective learners through feedback and replay.”

“It’s much more inclusive than a single-format approach.”

Building confidence, not just compliance

Of course, compliance matters. In a regulated sector like early years, it’s essential.

But we believe learning should go further than meeting requirements.

It should:

• Build confidence in everyday decisions
• Encourage reflection and growth
• Support people to develop their own strengths

That’s where gamified learning makes a real difference - it helps turn knowledge into action.

“We didn’t just want people to know the right answer,” says Mark. “We wanted them to feel confident making the right call in a room full of children, parents, and team members.”

And the impact is already being felt across teams.

“What we’re seeing, both in feedback and in practice, is improved confidence. Team members are more decisive and more consistent in how they respond to scenarios.”

“Managers are also reporting fewer ‘I’m not sure what to do here’ moments, particularly with newer team members, which is a strong indicator that knowledge is sticking.”

A culture of continuous growth

Learning at N doesn’t stop after induction.

Through the N Academy and ongoing coaching and mentoring, our teams continue to grow throughout their careers, whether they’re just starting out or stepping into leadership roles.

Since introducing gamified learning, engagement has also noticeably increased.

“Completion rates are higher,” Mark explains, “but more importantly, voluntary re-engagement is higher too. People go back into scenarios to improve their scores or explore different outcomes, which is something we rarely saw with traditional formats.”

The scenarios themselves are grounded in real nursery experiences, making them immediately relatable and practical for teams.

“We’ve had feedback from teams who’ve recognised situations from the simulations and felt better prepared in the moment,” says Mark.

“That bridge between ‘learning’ and ‘doing’ is exactly what we were aiming for.”

Looking ahead

The future of learning at N is focused on making development even more personalised and connected to long-term career growth.

“The focus will be on deeper personalisation and stronger links between learning and career pathways,” says Mark. “As we scale, we need learning to feel just as relevant for an apprentice as it does for a Nursery Manager.”

There are also plans to continue expanding gamified learning into leadership and more complex decision-making areas.

“I would also like to push ourselves into the world of virtual reality,” Mark adds. “Watch this space!”

Ultimately, learning at N is about much more than operational excellence.

“The opportunity is to make learning a genuine differentiator for us, not just operationally, but culturally,” says Mark.

“If we get this right, we’re not only building capability at scale, we’re creating an environment where people feel invested in, supported, and confident to grow, which ultimately has the biggest impact on the children and families we serve.”