Open communication allows families to share important information about their child’s needs, routines and interests. This collaborative approach ensures that care and learning experiences are tailored to each individual child.

Nurseries also offer reassurance and guidance during key transitions, such as starting nursery, moving rooms or preparing for school. Having trusted professionals available to offer advice and support can make these moments feel less overwhelming for families.

By building respectful, trusting relationships with parents and carers, nurseries create a supportive community where children and families can thrive together.

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Regular mealtimes provide opportunities for children to explore new flavours, textures and foods in a relaxed and supportive environment. Sitting together encourages social skills such as sharing, taking turns and enjoying meals as part of a group.

Children are also supported to develop independence during mealtimes, from using cutlery to making choices about what to eat. These experiences help build confidence and self-care skills.

By promoting healthy, nutritious meals and positive mealtime routines, nurseries help children develop habits that support growth, energy and overall health.

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Playing outside in all weathers helps children build resilience and adaptability. Experiencing rain, wind, sunshine and cold encourages children to learn about the natural world while developing confidence and independence. Outdoor environments also provide opportunities for imaginative play, problem-solving and teamwork.

Fresh air and physical activity support children’s overall wellbeing, helping to improve mood, concentration and sleep patterns. Outdoor play can also have a calming effect, particularly for children who benefit from space and freedom to move.

By embracing outdoor play throughout the year, children are given rich learning experiences that support healthy development and foster a lifelong appreciation for nature.

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The EYFS focuses on supporting children’s development across seven key areas, including communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design.

At its core, the EYFS recognises that children learn best through play, exploration and positive relationships. Every child is seen as unique, with their own interests, strengths and pace of development. Learning experiences are designed to build on what children already know and can do.

The framework also places great importance on keeping children safe, supporting their wellbeing and working closely with families. By following the EYFS, early years settings help children grow into confident, capable and curious learners who are ready for the next stage of their journey.

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Positive relationships with familiar adults help children develop a sense of security and belonging. Consistent caregivers who respond sensitively to children’s needs support emotional wellbeing and help children learn to regulate their feelings. This emotional security provides the foundation for curiosity, independence and resilience.

Strong relationships also support communication and language development. Through everyday interactions, conversations and shared experiences, children learn how to express themselves, listen to others and build meaningful connections.

In the early years, learning is deeply connected to relationships. When children feel supported and trusted, they are more likely to take risks, try new things and develop confidence in their own abilities, all essential skills for lifelong learning.

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The event will take place on June 30^th at 10.15am at Little Willows.

For further information

ring 01963 351208(RCS) or 01225 332296 (Little Willows)

RSVP  01225 332296

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If you find yourself struggling to find ways to keep the kids entertained over Christmas, help is at hand. Here are five simple (and cheap) games to help make Christmas fun for everyone.

Snowman bowling

This is part craft activity, part game, and 100% fun. You’ll need empty tissue boxes (three for the body, and a smaller one for the head) which you’ll need to paint white. Once dry, stack them to create a snowman shape and start decorating – orange card for a carrot nose, sticks for arms, pom-poms for buttons, and paint for eyes and mouth. Why not add a hat to complete the look? Set up your snowman and take it in turns to try to knock it down with a ball.

Guess the Christmas smell

Certain smells go hand in hand with Christmas – think nutmeg, pine needles, cinnamon, gingerbread and chocolate. But how easy is it to tell one smell from another? Create a Christmas smell game by popping a little bit of each item into an empty jar, and asking your kids to guess the smell. Older kids and adults can be blindfolded to make it harder.

What’s in Santa’s hat?

All you need for this fun game is a Santa hat and different objects from around the house. The aim of the game is to guess what is inside the hat by touch alone (no peeking!). Items you could use include marbles, pinecones, toy cars, candy canes, snow globes and cuddly toys.

Christmas chocolate hunt

This is just like an Easter egg hunt, but with foil-wrapped chocolate Santas/ snowmen/ penguins instead. Just hide the chocolates while the kids are busy watching Christmas TV and let the hunt begin! Let them know how many you have hidden so they can work out how many they still need to find. Everyone can have a go at hiding and finding the chocolates. And you all get to eat them at the end – it’ll keep them going for hours!

Reindeer hoopla

Another part craft, part game, this one is simple to make and exciting to play. You’ll need a cardboard box, sticks, pens, pipe cleaners and tape. First, draw a reindeer face on your box (eyes and a red nose will do). Then, it’s a trip to the park to find two V-shaped sticks for antlers. Make two holes in the top of the box and secure the antlers in place with tape, and your reindeer is complete. Finally, make hoops from the pipe cleaners and have a go at hoopla-ing Rudolph!

At Little Willows, we will be spending December getting into the festive spirit. The children will have lots of opportunities to make cards and presents to bring home, bake mince pies and gingerbread men, decorate the nursery, learn Christmas songs and enjoy the annual nursery Christmas party.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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The most wonderful time of the year is here; panto season has arrived. Now’s your chance to take the kids to see their favourite fairy tales come to life.

If you’ve not got tickets yet, here’s a guide to all the fairest pantomimes in all the land this season – at least, the ones showing in and around Bath.

Beauty and the Beast, Theatre Royal Bath

12th December to 12th January

Kids will love watching Belle as she becomes imprisoned in an enchanted castle by a prince who has been transformed into a hideous beast. Wendi Peters (Coronation Street’s Hetty Feather) will appear as Fairy Bon-Bon, with Nick Wilton co-starring as Polly le Plonk, marking his 20^th consecutive year of playing a pantomime dame. It’s going to be wild wigs and garish dresses a-go-go.

Rapunzel, Egg Theatre, Bath

16th December to 12th January

Let your hair down and make Rapunzel your family panto this year. This musical version of the classic fairy tale tells how the orphaned baby Rapunzel finds a mother, but then loses her freedom when she is locked in a tower. A story of true love, a magic pig and lots of hair will delight your little ones – and keep the rest of the family entertained, too!

Snow White A Pantomime, Rondo Theatre, Bath

16th to 19th January

We all know the story of Snow White: a jealous wicked queen, a young fair maiden, a poor market boy and a magical talking mirror. As far as fairy tales go, it’s got it all. Expect love, loss and redemption, plus plenty of laughs and songs along the way. Kids will love this version, staged by Bath Drama. So go on, have a bite. You know you want to…

Dick Whittington, Bristol Hippodrome

7th December to 5th January

It was scheduled to be Robin Hood, but after an offer of the London Palladium’s stage set for Dick Whittington and a script written with Shane Richie (this year’s star of the show) in mind, Dick Whittington it is! The whole family will enjoy this classic rags-to-riches story, which sees Dick outwit King Rat, win Alice’s hand in marriage and become the Lord Mayor of London. All together now: “It’s behiiiiind you!”

Beauty and the Beast, Redgrave Theatre

21st to 31st December

Redgrave Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast might not be as star-studded as the one at Bath’s Theatre Royal, but it’s sure to win over the audience, nonetheless. Two stars sure to steal the show are Noodle and Devon, the doggy performers taking it in turns to star as Belle’s best friend. This will be the first professional panto Redgrave Theatre has staged, so well worth a trip.

Whatever you do with your little ones this Christmas, make sure it’s full of festive fun. At Little Willows, we’ll be getting the children into the Christmas spirit with activities, games and crafts.

To find out more about our nurseries in Bath and Corsham, get in touch with the team today.

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While some children with DLD experience few or no problems during childhood, many have some mental health difficulties.

Often referred to as an invisible disorder, DLD is often misidentified or mislabelled in school. This is largely because the symptoms can be so varied

Symptoms seen in children with DLD include emotional problems (such as feeling unhappy or alone) and behavioural problems (such as lying, cheating or hyperactivity). Some are affected in just one area, others can experience combinations of symptoms from both.

Mental health issues experienced by children with DLD are believed to stem from their struggles with language. This would suggest that with the right language support, the other issues should start to resolve themselves.

It makes sense that children who are unable to express themselves verbally do so in other ways – whether that is through behaviour or emotions – as does the idea that if language drives our social interactions and helps us develop support networks, it also acts as a buffer to mental health problems.

However, there could be more to it.

A study published in the Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research looked at the role genetics might play in driving language and mental health difficulties. The study looked at genetic variation across six genes associated with language and discovered that of the ones associated with language used in the sample, nearly half were also associated with mental health issues – in particular, peer problems.

This suggests that language and mental health difficulties are linked genetically. That’s not to say language problems can’t cause mental health difficulties directly, rather that issues may arise because the genes responsible for language development are also responsible for mental health problems.

The findings also highlight the importance of timing when it comes to mental health interventions when children have DLD. And the earlier interventions are made (i.e. before symptoms of poor mental health arise) the better.

Here at Little Willows we work with all the children to boost their self-esteem and wellbeing to further support their mental health.

One member of our team is fully trained in ‘theraplay’ and sunshine circles. These weekly sunshine circle sessions provides small groups the chance to get involved in a range of activities designed to build upon the children’s relationships with one another and promote self-confidence. The children are encouraged to take part in singing together as well as listening and communicating to instructions.

Language is at the centre of everything we do. The Little Willows team works hard to promote the use of language to encourage conversation with children during their play, listening to stories and taking part in music and movement.

Are you interested in finding out more about how Little Willows can help your child grow and develop? Get in touch with the team today to find out more.

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Here are 10 fun ways to use these colourful, crisp leaves in your toddler’s next craft project.

1 Crown of leaves

Does your little one like pretending to be a prince or princess? If so, they’ll love making themselves a golden leaf crown. All you need to do is stick a handful of leaves onto a strip of cardboard. When all the leaves are in place, fasten the card to the size of your child’s head and watch them be king or queen for the day.

2 Leaf mobile

Don’t leave you child’s favourite leaves in the park – make them into a mobile! Simply find a stick or branch and attach leaves using pieces of string or cotton. Tie one end onto the branch and the other round the stalk of the leaf. You can then attach a piece of string to both ends of the stick to hang it up.

3 Funny faces

Your toddler or preschooler might like to use leaves and other natural bits and bobs to make faces. You can picture it now: leaves for hair, conker for a nose, acorn cups for eyes, and berries for a mouth. Get even more creative and add earrings or moustaches – these faces can be as serious or silly as you want.

4 Leaf rubbing

When you’ve had your fill of bark rubbings, you can move onto leaf rubbings. Lay a selection of leaves flat on a table, veins facing up, and place a piece of paper over the top. Use a crayon to colour over the leaves and watch the patterns emerge.

5 Glitter leaf garland

If you fancy getting glitzy, it’s time to make a glitter leaf garland. Simply gather a selection of autumn leaves (make sure they’re not too crunchy) and cover them with glue and glitter. Leave them to dry and tie a piece of string to each stalk. Attach these onto a long piece of ribbon (as long as you want) so the glittery leaves hang down.

6 Leafy wreath

For this you will need a thick circle of card with a hole in the centre. Paint it a lovely autumnal shade of orange and when dry, stick some leaves on top. (If you need to flatten them first, place between two heavy books). Keep it minimal or layer them up – let your child decide.

7 Superhero mask

If your kid enjoys playing superheroes, why not let them make their very own leafy mask? Cut out a mask shape from a piece of card and snip out two eye holes. Stick a selection of leaves onto the mask and attach some elastic or two pieces of ribbon so they can put it on, ready to save the day

At Little Willows, we love getting the children outside all year round. Our nursery in Bath is undergoing a huge renovation in the garden this month. As part of that, we’re adding more outdoor learning experiences including a mud kitchen and bug hotel.

We strive to give the children lots of outdoor learning experiences. Exploring our local parks, canal walks and the wider community, we love to see the children play with natural resources, from counting with conkers to printing with leaves and building with sticks. The children adore investigating the world around them, as adults we’re just there to lend a hand.

To find out more about Little Willows nurseries get in touch with the team today.

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