1. Encourage Independence: Help your child practice skills such as dressing themselves, using the toilet independently, and tidying up after play. These self-care skills are vital for building confidence at school..

2. Develop Listening Skills: School requires lots of listening. You can promote this skill by talking to your child about their day and carefully listening to their responses. By doing this, you are role-modelling effective listening skills, which are crucial for a positive transition to school.

3. Build Communication Skills: Encourage storytelling, and read books together that focus on starting school. This helps children express themselves and prepares them for classroom discussions.

4. Practice Fine Motor Skills: Before letters, numbers, or pictures come simple marks. Mark-making is a fantastic way to build early writing skills, which are essential for a positive transition to school.

• Painting the shed with water
• Writing with sticks in mud
• Zooming toy bikes or cars through puddles to make tracks
• Sketching with chunky chalks on tarmac

5. Encourage Problem-Solving: Everyday challenges involve problem-solving, which makes your child a natural mathematician. Simple activities such as counting items during play or sorting objects by size or colour can encourage these skills.

6. Self-Care and Hygiene: Support your child in managing their personal hygiene. Practicing using the toilet independently and washing and drying their hands will help them feel more confident at school, contributing to a positive transition to school.

7. Dressing Practice: Try practice sessions where your child gets dressed in their school uniform (or designated ‘school clothes’). This reduces stress on the first day and helps them manage dressing for PE sessions.

8. Lunchtime Skills: Playing games like ‘cafés’ and encouraging your child to carry a small tray can prepare them for lunchtime routines. Practicing with a knife, fork, and spoon can help too, ensuring a smooth positive transition to school.

9. Shoe Independence: Teach your child how to put on their shoes and manage the fastenings. Choosing shoes that are easy to manage will also make this step easier.

10. Scissor Skills and Fine Motor Development: Encourage your child to use child-sized scissors and develop their crayon grip. Picking up small objects with their thumb and first two fingers strengthens hand muscles, preparing them for writing tasks.

11. Establish a Routine: A good bedtime routine in the weeks before school starts can help children adjust to the school day. Regular breakfast and morning routines will also support a positive transition to school.

12. Emotional Readiness: Remember, children don’t need to be able to read, write, or do sums before they start school. What’s most important is that you enjoy time together and focus on developing confidence, independence, and curiosity, all key aspects of a positive transition to school.

1. How nursery can help socialise your child

Childcare provides the perfect environment for your child to interact with others and develop crucial social skills.

This environment helps children build essential skills like sharing, taking turns, and cooperating with their peers—key elements in forming friendships and managing relationships later in life.

Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on communication and emotional development, with Strong and Confident Communicator as one of its core pillars. Children are also encouraged to develop a positive sense of self, supporting confidence, and build strong relationships to create Resilient & Motivated Individuals.

Through our play-based learning approach, children take part in group activities, storytelling, and collaborative projects, all designed to encourage self-expression and communication.

Children can enhance key skills including eye contact, body language, paying attention, how to actively listen and express their emotions.

This emphasis on social interaction not only fosters strong communication skills but also contributes to a positive transition to school, preparing children for the next steps in their learning journey.

2. Encouraging your child to make friends inside and outside of nursery

Making friends is a big part of your child’s social journey. Here are some tips to help encourage those connections:

Arrange playdates

Organising playdates with nursery friends can help strengthen their bonds. This relaxed setting allows your child to feel comfortable and develop friendships outside of the nursery.

Join local groups

Look for community activities like sports, art or dancing. These groups give your child the chance to meet new friends while engaging in fun and stimulating activities.

Promote sharing and teamwork

Reinforce the importance of sharing and cooperation during playtime at home. Encourage your child to invite others into their games and to be mindful of their friends’ feelings.

Model positive social behaviour

Children learn a lot by watching adults. Show them how to engage with other people in the right way, whether it’s greeting a neighbour or chatting with other parents. Your example can help them understand.

3. Activities to help a child socialise outside of the nursery environment

While nursery plays a crucial role in social and emotional development in early childhood, there are plenty of ways to encourage your child’s social and emotional skills in their everyday life:

Family outings

Plan trips to parks, museums, or local events where your child can interact with others. These outings expose them to different social situations and help build confidence.

Encourage independent play

Let your child play with friends in safe outdoor spaces. These activities promote the benefits of outdoor learning, as well as building confidence and resilience as they navigate social interactions.

Participate in community events

Join in on local festivals or community gatherings as a family. These occasions create relaxed environments for your child to meet and interact with a variety of people.

Engage with neighbours

Encourage your little one to play with children in the neighbourhood. Simple activities, like inviting friends over or joining in on outdoor play, can significantly boost their social skills.

4. Learn more about Happy Days Nurseries

At Happy Days Nurseries, we’re dedicated to supporting your child’s emotional and social development in early childhood.

We’re passionate about supporting the development of the children in our care both when they’re at nursery, and when they’re at home, sharing effective tips and guidance for parents.

To learn more about how we support positive transitions to school and foster social development, visit our curriculum page or find a nursery near you.

Get in touch if you have any questions by calling 0800 783 3431 or emailing enquiries@happydaysnurseries.com.

1. Establishing good oral hygiene for children

Tooth decay can be a big problem among young children, affecting almost a quarter of youngsters. The good news is that it is largely preventable.

If you teach your child habits such as brushing their teeth twice a day (once just before bedtime and once in the morning) and flossing from a young age, it sets them up for a lifetime of strong, healthy teeth and gums.

Healthy teeth support speech development and chewing. Baby teeth also act as placeholders for adult teeth, so maintaining their health is crucial for correct alignment and future oral health.

To make routines easier, you can even introduce fun activities like allowing your child to choose their own toothbrush or incorporating a brushing timer to help these habits become second nature.

2. Don’t forget sleep hygiene for children

Good personal hygiene for children doesn’t stop with physical cleanliness; it extends to promoting healthy sleep habits.

Sleep hygiene is about creating an environment and routine that supports restful sleep.

We recommend making sure your child’s sleep space is clean and comfortable, and you should establish a consistent bedtime routine where possible to help get prepared to fall asleep.

Limiting screen time before bed, incorporating a calming activity like reading, and keeping the room dark and temperature comfortable will help your child get the rest they need to maintain their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

If you’re looking for more stress free bedtime tips, we’ve got you covered in our recent blog.

3. Creating a daily hygiene routine for children

Here’s a simple plan for promoting good hygiene for children 5 years and under:

Hand washing

Teach children to wash their hands before meals, after playing outside, and after using the toilet. Show them the correct way to wash their hands: with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Brushing teeth

Ensure your child brushes their teeth for two minutes, twice a day, once in the morning and again before bed. Parents can help younger children with brushing until they develop the motor skills to do it effectively on their own.

Bathing

Regular baths or showers help maintain clean skin, remove sweat, dirt, and bacteria, and promote overall freshness. Encourage your child to bathe or shower daily, especially after active play or outdoor activities. Rember that young children should never be left to bathe unattended.

Nail care

Keeping nails trimmed prevents the build-up of dirt and bacteria that could lead to infections. Make nail trimming a regular part of your child’s routine and teach them to gently clean beneath their nails to ensure proper hygiene.

Hair care

Brushing hair daily helps to distribute natural oils from the scalp, keeping hair healthy and shiny while preventing tangles and knots. Depending on your child’s hair type, regular washing with a gentle shampoo is also important to remove dirt and excess oils.

4. Get in touch for more information

As a leading nursery chain operating in the Southwest of England and South of Wales, helping young children prepare for school with purpose-built facilities and a specialist curriculum of learning, we’re no strangers to expert child care.

We’re passionate about supporting the development of the children in our care both when they’re at nursery, and when they’re at home, sharing effective tips and guidance for parents.

Get in touch if you have any questions by calling 0800 783 3431 or emailing enquiries@happydaysnurseries.com, or use our Find a Nursery tool to see which of our nurseries or preschools is closest to you!

1. Get your children more involved in the kitchen and meal preparations

One effective way of encouraging children to eat their five a day is by involving them in the cooking process. Children love to feel like they’re helping you and allowing them to help in the kitchen can help to foster interest in their own meals.

Invite your toddler to join you while you chop vegetables or stir ingredients. You can even create simple tasks that they’d be able to achieve, such as washing vegetables or tearing lettuce leaves. Alternatively, if you have a garden or greenhouse, you could consider growing your own vegetables and your children can get invested before eating the final product!

When children actively participate in preparing meals, they develop a greater appreciation for the food on their plate, and a hands-on approach can make veggies seem less intimidating and more appealing to toddlers.

2. Combine new foods with food they already know

Introducing new vegetables to toddlers out of the blue is never easy, especially if they’re already starting to pick their favourite foods. To make it a little easier, try pairing unfamiliar vegetables with familiar foods that your child already likes.

For example, if your child already likes pasta, try including finely chopped vegetables, like spinach, mushrooms, or carrots, into their favourite pasta sauce. At first, they may not notice them, but if you gradually increase the number, you put in, they will start to identify and get used to the tastes and textures.

If they still refuse to eat the smaller vegetables in the sauce, you could try blending it all together to help introduce the flavours first. This means that they can explore and understand new flavours and textures while still enjoying the comfort of familiar foods.

This can help if you aren’t sure how to sneak fibre into your child’s diet, too!

3. Be a role model by eating healthily yourself

Children often mimic the behaviours of adults, especially their parents, so it’s essential to set a positive example when it comes to healthy eating. Make a conscious effort to include a variety of vegetables in your own meals and demonstrate enthusiasm for trying new foods.

During mealtimes, describe the vegetables on your plate positively, highlighting their colours, textures, and how good they are for you. This can help change the negative ideas your child may have of healthier food.

Encourage your child to take small bites and praise them for their efforts, even if they’re hesitant at first. This encouragement and support can help instil healthy eating habits that will benefit your child for years to come and make them more explorative in future.

4. Let children play with their food

How many times have you heard someone say, “stop playing with your food?” Turns out, playing with their food might help them eventually eat it!

Children are curious and intuitive. By creating a fun and interactive eating experience, maybe by arranging colourful vegetable sticks or shapes on their plate, your child can explore and experiment with different textures.

Also, touching their food will often make a child more inclined to try it as they can get used to the texture, smell, and feel before putting it in their mouth. It can also be helpful to provide dipping sauces or spreads to provide new flavours and encourage the use of your child’s hands.

5. Make fruit a treat instead of unhealthier options

Chocolate, sweets, and cakes are the stereotypical “reward” foods, but you could provide sweet fruits, like strawberries, mangos, and bananas, as a healthier alternative.

By associating these flavours as treats, your child may be more willing to try similar foods, and you can help reduce the number of unhealthy snacks they have each day. You can also do a lot of exciting different things with fruit for your children, including blending them into smoothies and adding them to cereal or yoghurt.

6. Be patient!

Patience is crucial when it comes to encouraging toddlers to eat their veggies. It’s normal for children to be hesitant when trying new foods, and they might often outright refuse it, but don’t be discouraged if progress is slow! Offer small portions of new foods at mealtime and don’t give up, as it may take up to 12-15 exposures for a new food to be accepted.

Try to bring in new fruits and veggies for your children every few days using some of the methods above, without making the experience negative by forcing it on them. Sometimes, your child simply won’t like a particular food, but that shouldn’t put you off trying to give them new fruits and vegetables when possible!

7. Guarantee a Balanced Diet for Your Child with Happy Days Nurseries

We understand the importance of early childhood nutrition, which is why all the food we provide at our nursery is curated by a specialist early-years nutritionist on a four-weekly, seasonal basis.

We ensure that all dietary requirements are catered for and that the children in our care are exposed to a wide range of textures and flavours. We have a dedicated page on our website to help you find out more about our meal time and nutritional practices.

If you’re struggling to get your child to try new flavours, fruits, and vegetables, we are on hand to help. We can help support you and your child in your journey to a healthier diet. Call us on 0800 783 3431 or email enquiries@happydaysnurseries.com for more information!

1. The Benefits of Joining Early Years as an Apprentice

Stepping into the world of early years as an apprentice is not just about finding a job; it’s about making a difference. Working with children at such a formative age allows you to play a crucial role in their development.

Witnessing their first milestones, whether it’s taking their first steps or speaking their first words, is immensely fulfilling. As an apprentice, you’ll see these moments unfold and share the joy with parents, who appreciate your contribution to their child’s growth.

The experience gained from an early years apprenticeship is invaluable. You’ll learn about yourself and what you’re capable of achieving, along with giving you a fantastic entry point into the profession.

With us, you’ll gain practical experience, receive support for your studies, and be mentored on a one-to-one basis by mentors and assessors with a wealth of experience from various childcare roles.

Plus, starting early opens up significant career development opportunities, and as you grow in your role, you’ll find numerous pathways for advancement within the early years sector.

Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.

2. How to Prepare for a Childcare Apprenticeship

Preparing for an apprenticeship at Happy Days is straightforward; all you need is a willingness to learn. We offer various levels of qualifications: Level 2 for Early Years Practitioners, Level 3 for Early Years Educators, and Level 5 for Lead Practitioners and Nursery Management.

A Grade C (or 4 under new gradings) in English and Maths is beneficial, but if you don’t meet these criteria, don’t worry—we’re here to support you with the functional skills portion of your development.

While a related GCSE can be advantageous, it’s not mandatory. For school leavers, we recommend seeking voluntary work or other experiences to ensure this is the right career path for you.

For mature candidates, it’s essential to consider your readiness for full-time employment and the commitment required for both the job and external study. Having a dedicated space for your studies at home can also be beneficial.

Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.

3. Becoming an Early Years Apprentice

At Happy Days Nurseries, we look for enthusiasm and drive rather than prior professional experience. Whether you’ve done casual babysitting or volunteered in childcare, demonstrating a genuine interest in the field is crucial.

As this is a regulated role, you’ll need to undergo DBS checks and provide references. We offer full support throughout this process, which generally takes around 3-4 weeks from initial contact to employment.

Also, Happy Days is dedicated to providing personalised feedback if you are unsuccessful in your application, recognising that this may be your first job search experience. If the initial outcome isn’t successful, remember it’s never a final “no”, it is a “maybe later.”

Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.

4. The Life of an Apprentice

As an apprentice, you’ll engage in hands-on learning, supported by mentors and regular one-on-one sessions. Your work will involve both practical and theoretical elements, with around six hours of off-the-job training each week.

This time is dedicated to studying, shadowing your mentor, and adapting to various challenges, such as onboarding new children or managing complex needs.

The role requires effective time management as you juggle your job responsibilities and studies. The unpredictability of working with children means you must also be adaptable and open-minded, and it provides an excellent opportunity to develop these skills.

Despite the challenges, the rewards are plentiful. You’ll develop skills, gain experience, and receive support from experienced staff, which will all contribute to your professional growth.

Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.

5. Completion of an Apprenticeship

As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, the focus shifts to preparing for endpoint assessments. We provide extensive support to ensure you’re ready, including practice sessions and feedback on your off-the-job work. Our aim is to equip you with everything you need to succeed.

Upon successful completion, Happy Days guarantees a job offer in the role you’ve qualified for, allowing you to continue your career in a familiar environment. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue further qualifications and career advancement through our internal promotion network.

Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.

6. Common Misconceptions Surrounding Apprenticeships

There are several misconceptions about apprenticeships that we’d like to address to end this blog.

Firstly, the wages for apprentices are considered to be very low, often below the national minimum wage. However, Happy Days offers a competitive apprenticeship wage that exceeds the usual apprentice wage to reflect our appreciation for your work. In the second year, your salary will align with national working standards.

Apprenticeships are also not exclusively for young people; individuals from various age groups and backgrounds are welcome and a childcare apprenticeship could give you the perfect experience you need to switch industries if you aren’t happy in your current role.

Moreover, the early years education sector isn’t solely for women. Men can – and do – play a vital role in childcare, and it’s a rewarding career for everyone.

Plus, apprenticeships do not cost you anything! They are not like a degree or adult course where you pay your own fees, your employer (in this case, us) and the government cover all expenses, making it an accessible option for anyone.

Finally, there’s no need to wait for the next academic year to start. Our early years apprenticeships are flexible and do not operate according to the school year, so you can begin whenever you’re ready!

Listen to our dedicated podcast on this topic on Spotify.

7. Work With Us at Happy Days Nurseries

We’re excited about the future of childcare and look forward to welcoming passionate individuals who are ready to make a difference in the lives of children.

If you’re ready to embark on a fulfilling career journey, we encourage you to consider an apprenticeship with us. We recently produced a blog looking at the benefits of working with Happy Days and how we can support your career.

Fill out the application form on our website to select your preferred role and location and leave us your CV – your future in early years education starts here!

1. What does outdoor play consist of?

Outdoor play, despite the name, is more than simply playing outside. It is about taking the appropriate risks to experience exploration, discovery, inquisition, safety, the development of good habits, improving health, and much more.

Inquisitive & Ambitious Thinker within our curriculum focuses on outdoor play and was constructed using several different key ideas and inspirations. These include the Wanderlust Programme, which draws upon early education approaches in Scandinavia, Canada, and Austria, and the STEM learning programme, which helps to incorporate key areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

It is also an excellent opportunity to teach children about the natural world and preservation efforts, discussing the importance of our ecosystem, habitats, and wildlife, while also encouraging positive environmental habits like recycling and growing plants.

Outdoor play is a safe and enjoyable learning experience that can help develop several core components of Early Years learning.

2. Cognitive benefits of outdoor play

One of the most important developmental benefits of outdoor play is on the brain, helping to stimulate a child’s senses, and allowing them to feel more in tune with their body. Touch, sight, smell, and hearing are all stimulated through outdoor play with many of the things they interact with being new or interesting.

Additionally, outdoor play can help to increase focus in children, improving their attention span and encouraging them to find ways to engage themselves. This can also lead to a better understanding of problem solving, such as when a ball gets stuck in a hedge or toys in the mud.

Even better, outdoor play is often associated with a reduction in stress levels among children, which can help contribute to healthy development in other areas.

We have outdoor mindfulness and yoga sessions which are designed to help our children channel these positive aspects of outdoor play. Studies have found that yoga can help improve a child’s concentration levels, lead to better breathing, and increase happiness levels.

3. Emotional benefits of outdoor play

Outdoor play can be both a collaborative and independent venture, depending on the play session. When children play in a group, they can develop their social and communicative skills alongside bravery, exploration, and more. They will often work together to overcome obstacles or develop their understanding of key concepts like sharing.

When playing alone, outdoor play can foster a sense of discovery and independence within children, prompting them to explore these feelings in a positive way. They may investigate and look to find out more about small animals or plants they encounter.

These emotional and social skills are crucial in their transition to school, providing them with a strong foundation to boost their confidence, make their own friends, and adapt to their new environment quickly.

4. Health benefits of outdoor play

At Happy Days, we strive to encourage healthy habits for our children. A big part of our outdoor play curriculum is sun safety, and as a registered partner of Sun Safe Nurseries, we pride ourselves on the effectiveness of these teachings to prevent serious future health risks.

Outdoor play can also help boost the health of a child through the strengthening of their immune system. This can help prevent them from getting sick so often through childhood and can even help improve their health into adulthood.

Additionally, outdoor play helps to improve stamina, agility, balance, and strength – all key parts of early health development.

5. Physical benefits of outdoor play

Outdoor play can help the physical development of children through exercise and collaboration. Active outdoor play can help the development of motor skills and coordination while also building healthy exercising habits that can last a lifetime.

That’s why we have our “Let’s Move!” and “Let’s Kick It!” learning programmes, designed to encourage exercise within children through play activities like balance bridges and football matches.

These kinds of enjoyable but challenging activities help develop skills at a faster rate than adult initiated activities, providing a specific task that helps them stay active. This can help develop their bone density, large muscle groups, and stability while helping to maintain a healthy weight and reducing the chance of diabetes in later life.

6. Get in touch with Happy Days Nurseries

Do you think our look on outdoor could work well for your child? Have any questions regarding our Early Years outdoor learning? Interested in finding out more? Get in touch with Happy Days today and give your child the best possible start to their education!

Our team are available over the phone on 0800 783 3431 during the week or consider emailing us at enquiries@happydaysnurseries.com and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

1. Why a Good Start to the Day is Important

Starting off on the right foot can make a huge difference to your child’s day and yours, too. The morning routine is the most important aspect of this, and building one up can help reinforce positive habits, help them feel ready for nursery, and help save you time and stress.

A good morning routine can also help you build and maintain a positive parent-child relationship, building consistency, a sense of responsibility, and excitement for your child. It can also help your child develop several key life skills, including time management and independence.

A key part of any good morning routine is breakfast, and by incorporating this as a main part of the routine, you will help your child develop a healthy relationship with food and ensure they start the day with good nutrition. Both a good morning and evening routine go hand in hand both benefitting each other.

2. The Morning Routine Starts at Bedtime

Every morning routine starts the night before. Without enough sleep, any child will wake up tired, less engaged, and less likely to have the energy or concentration needed to engage with their routine.

They may also feel irritated and irrational, without necessarily knowing why, then be less likely to want to eat a healthy breakfast, leading to further tiredness, hunger, and irritation later on.

If you want your child to start waking up with energy and building a strong morning routine, getting enough sleep is crucial. For 3–5-year-olds, we recommend between 10 and 13 hours of sleep during the full day is recommended, including naps. For 1-2-year-olds, this is raised to between 11 and 14 hours.

For more information and some of our tips on perfecting that bedtime routine, check out our blog.

3. Example Morning Routines for 3 Year Olds:

The first stage of building a new morning routine is to start helping your child wake up at the same time every day. This will help their body clock adjust over time, making the routine easier to build and helping improve their energy levels.

Many toddlers will naturally wake up between 5:30am and 7:00am and trying to set and stick to a time that suits you and your own routine in the morning is important. To help establish this routine, you may want an alarm clock or light that is timed to turn on at a specific time each morning.

Next, consider setting up a morning routine checklist that you and your child can tick off each day to help organise their morning. This means you and they can see at a glance where they are and what they have left to do.

The first thing you might want them to do after waking up is wash their face and brush their teeth, as it can be a refreshing way to start the day. Dentists also strongly recommended to brush your teeth before breakfast, rather than after.

After a wash, it’s time to change into their clothes for the day. You may also want them to make the bed during this step, helping develop positive habits that they will carry with them for years.

Next, a balanced breakfast to help give them the energy they need for the day. You may want to consider laying the table the night before to help save time when you are busy in the morning.

Lastly, make sure that their bag is packed and ready to go with all the essentials they need for nursery and get their shoes on – you’re both ready to have a great day!

4. 5 tips to help children stay consistent:

Implement a Morning Routine Checklist

Hanging up a visual checklist for your child in their room will help them know what needs to be completed every morning and the order which they do it in. You could also liven it up with engaging stickers to help them be more involved!

Set an Alarm

Having an alarm clock or light source that turns on at the same time each day helps your child know that it is time to wake up and for the morning routine to start. Consider playing a song that your child enjoys to help them wake up in a positive mood, and think about using an alarm with a light in winter on those darker mornings.

Make the Bed

By encouraging your child to make their bed or organise their pillows, you will help encourage independence whilst also starting the day off with a sense of achievement. This is a habit that they will hopefully develop and continue into their teens.

Give Them a Nutritious Breakfast

Starting the day off with a filling and nutritious breakfast will help your child feel more energetic and ready for the day ahead, whilst also supporting their physical growth and development.

Creating a Calm Environment

A gentle start to the morning can help your child adjust to the waking world. Speaking in calmed voices and not rushing the morning routine will help your child to feel calm and relaxed for the day ahead, helping to eliminate any anxious thoughts they may have.

Get in Touch with Happy Days

At Happy Days Nurseries, we strive to ensure that your child gets the best support and care at nursery and home. Our purpose-built facilities along with a specialist curriculum for learning help prepare your child for school, and our close partnership with parents helps continue that preparation and development outside of nursery grounds.

To find out more about our nursery philosophy or for more help with your childcare needs, call our head office on 0800 783 3431 or email enquiries@happydaysnurseries.com. Alternatively, use our find a nursery tool to see which Happy Days nursery or preschool you are closest to!