Early years blog

Early years activity: Frozen balloon explorers

Playing with ramps is a fun activity that will see children play and explore as they investigate cause and effect and forces.

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.

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.

Top tips: Using mathematical language everyday with young children

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.

Early years activity: Non-standard measures

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.

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.

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.

Early years activity: Big garden bird watch

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.

Top tips: Encouraging bird visitors and how to look after them

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.

Protected: Employment Rights Act: what nursery owners need to know for 2026

Employment Rights Act: what nursery owners need to know for 2026