The Magic Mystery Box is a playful activity that encourages young children to communicate, listen and share ideas. The surprise element captures interest, while the predictable routine helps children feel safe to express themselves using words, sounds, gestures or facial expressions. Magic mystery box learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Magic mystery box activity outline How… Continue reading Early years activity: Magic mystery box
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Early years activity: Mini movers obstacle challenge
Here’s a simple, adaptable, mini movers obstacle challenge activity using your everyday nursery equipment. Children balance, crawl, jump and climb their way around the route, building strength, coordination, practice listening, turn-taking and positional language (under, over, on etc). Quick to set up, easy to adapt and a brilliant way to get your children moving. Mini… Continue reading Early years activity: Mini movers obstacle challenge
Top tips: Inclusion in action
The reasonable adjustments you make so that all children can access play, learning and routines alongside their peers don’t need to be complicated or costly. It’s often about planning ahead, being flexible and removing barriers from the environment, communication and expectations. These inclusion in action tips offer simple, everyday strategies you can use to support… Continue reading Top tips: Inclusion in action
Top tips: Supporting your team’s well-being
Educating and caring for young children is an incredibly rewarding role, but it can also be demanding and exhausting. Just as we nurture the children in our care, it’s important to look after our staff and support their well-being at work. Explore our top tips for caring for your team. Top tips for supporting your team’s well-being NDNA… Continue reading Top tips: Supporting your team’s well-being
Early years activity: Frozen balloon explorers
Freezing water in balloons is an amazing sensory experience and also a great opportunity for children to discover the science behind freezing and melting. Frozen balloon explorers activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Frozen balloon explorers activity outline You could make these with the children and discuss what they think will happen at each… Continue reading Early years activity: Frozen balloon explorers
STEMinists in the making: Encouraging girls’ confidence in science
Early years settings have a powerful opportunity to shape how girls view themselves as problem-solvers, critical thinkers and future scientists. The curiosity you nurture now can grow into the confidence that makes choosing STEM subjects later at school feel normal and achievable. By encouraging the exploration of ideas, valuing their questions and challenging stereotypes, practitioners can lay the foundation for life-long scientific confidence. Here are some ideas to support… Continue reading STEMinists in the making: Encouraging girls’ confidence in science
Early years activity: Pancake creations
Have a flippin’ fantastic time celebrating Pancake Day with this week’s pancake creations activity! Your little chefs will weigh, mix, pour and observe the magic of the process as ingredients evolve into deliciousness. Pancake creations activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Ingredients – adjust accordingly. The following makes around 8-10 thin pancakes: Equipment: Pancake creations activity outline How to extend this activity Use balance… Continue reading Early years activity: Pancake creations
Top tips: Using mathematical language everyday with young children
The new Statutory Framework for the EYFS places an emphasis on children developing a love of maths. If maths language can be woven into their children’s everyday experiences, they will develop a secure foundation as they make progress in this area. Top tips for using mathematical language everyday with young children NDNA products to help you with this tip Online Courses in… Continue reading Top tips: Using mathematical language everyday with young children
Early years activity: Non-standard measures
Children need opportunities to physically experience and compare different types of measures such as length, size and height, so provide lots of opportunity for young children to explore contrasting items to compare their features in terms of measures. Non-standard measures activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Non-standard measures activity outline How to extend this activity NDNA products… Continue reading Early years activity: Non-standard measures
Top tips: Involving children in snack preparation
Involving children in preparing snacks supports independence, communication, early maths skills and healthy eating habits. With planning and supervision, snack preparation can be a fun, safe and meaningful learning experience for the children. Top tips for involving children in snack preparation Ensure all staff follow the same expectations by using a staff meeting to share, discuss and agree how children can be involved… Continue reading Top tips: Involving children in snack preparation
Early years activity: Fruit faces
This fruit faces activity introduces young children to a variety of fruits in a fun, hands-on way, encouraging them to explore healthy foods through play. By creating ‘fruit faces’ children can develop positive attitudes towards healthy eating, practise fine motor skills and learn the names, colours, weights and textures of different fruits. This activity also supports social interaction and communication as… Continue reading Early years activity: Fruit faces
Early years activity: Big garden bird watch
Help the RSPB to find out how garden birds are faring in your patch. Big garden bird watch activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity Big Garden Bird Watch activity outline How to extend this activity NDNA products to support you with this activity Outdoor and Risky Play – Face to face training Disclaimer: Activities with children must always… Continue reading Early years activity: Big garden bird watch
Top tips: Encouraging bird visitors and how to look after them
Attracting and looking after bird visitors at nursery can be a wonderful way to connect children with nature and support local wildlife. Check out our top tips for how to attract and care for bird visitors. Top tips to get encouraging bird visitors and how to look after them NDNA products to help you with… Continue reading Top tips: Encouraging bird visitors and how to look after them
Top tips: Get children talking
Strong communication skills start with rich, everyday interactions. Nursery leaders play a vital role in creating language-rich environments where every child feels heard and confident to express themselves. These simple, playful tips will help spark conversation, extend vocabulary and build confident communicators to help get children talking. Top tips to get children talking NDNA products to help you… Continue reading Top tips: Get children talking
Early years activity: Discovering the signs of winter
Take learning outdoors with our discovering the signs of winter seasonal activity. Children explore the signs of winter, from frost and bare trees to the chilly air, using magnifying glasses to observe nature close up, inspiring a sense of awe and wonder at our wonderful world. Discovering the signs of winter activity learning aims Resources you will need… Continue reading Early years activity: Discovering the signs of winter
Top tips: Singing in the early years
From the very earliest age children are exposed to music from hearing their mum singing to them whilst in the womb or listening to music on the car radio as they travel to nursery. Young children respond to music and spontaneously create their own during their play. This top tip looks at how you can use music as a purposeful and engaging… Continue reading Top tips: Singing in the early years
Early years activity: New Year Time Capsule
New Year is a time for new beginnings and reflection. Create your own new year time capsule to help children think about the present and the future. New Year Time Capsule activity learning aims Resources you will need for this activity New Year Time Capsule activity outline How to extend this activity Remember to make a note in… Continue reading Early years activity: New Year Time Capsule
Top tips: New year new energy – supporting your team
As we get ready to step into a new year, it’s a perfect opportunity to embrace fresh beginnings, renewed energy and exciting possibilities. A new year offers a chance for reflection, growth and inspiration. These tips are designed to help leaders support their staff in feeling motivated, valued and empowered, while also prioritising their well-being. Top tips for new year new energy NDNA products… Continue reading Top tips: New year new energy – supporting your team
Early years activity: Cosy calm den
Periods of excitement or routine changes can often feel overwhelming for young children, bringing extra noise, activity and heightened emotions. This activity provides a cosy, calming retreat where children can step away from the busyness around them. The den offers a quiet space for moments of stillness and emotional regulation whenever children need a peaceful break. Cosy… Continue reading Early years activity: Cosy calm den
Early years activity: Indoor jungle safari adventure
This jungle safari adventure is a fun and engaging indoor obstacle course designed especially for babies and toddlers. It is a safe, sensory-rich activity that encourages little ones to crawl, climb and explore as they journey through a series of soft, themed challenges. Perfect for developing motor skills, coordination and confidence, this playful adventure brings… Continue reading Early years activity: Indoor jungle safari adventure