At Tiddly Toes Family Run Preschool, children learn through play, exploration and meaningful experiences across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Our daily practice supports every child to feel safe, included and confident to learn. We provide a carefully organised environment with inviting learning areas that encourage curiosity, independence and decision-making. Children are supported to develop the skills they need not only for school readiness, but for life — including resilience, cooperation, communication and respect for others — so they can grow into confident and valued members of society.

 

A Typical Day at Nursery

Our daily routine provides children with a balance of structured learning, independent exploration, outdoor play, rest and social time. While we follow a consistent rhythm, we remain flexible and responsive to each child’s individual needs, interests and development. Please note that children under 2 will begin following a similar routine with their key person, however it will be much more flexible according to their individual needs.

🌞 9:15am — Circle Time

We start our day together with a warm welcome. Circle time gives children the opportunity to say hello, settle into the day and feel part of the group.

We also revisit our Golden Rules — kind hands, good looking eyes and listening ears — as well as talking about caring for our environment and recycling. As children become developmentally ready, we introduce concepts such as the day of the week and the weather.

📚 9:30am — Group Learning

Children join their key groups for age-appropriate group activities and lessons. These sessions support social skills, teamwork, listening and concentration, while helping children develop the skills they need for their next steps and school readiness.

🍎 10:00am — Morning Snack

Children enjoy a healthy morning snack, including a low-salt carbohydrate and a different fruit or vegetable each day.

🌱 10:15am — Individual Learning & Exploration

Our key people spend time supporting their key children through individually planned activities, based on their interests, development and identified next steps.

🌳 10:30am — Outdoor Play

This is our first opportunity to use the garden. We make the most of our outdoor environment by giving children opportunities to explore, move, play and learn outdoors.

🥪 11:45am — Lunchtime

Lunchtime is an important opportunity to encourage independence, healthy choices and positive social experiences.

Children wash their hands before sitting together for lunch. They are encouraged to make their own choices from a selection of nutritious foods, with familiar options always available alongside new foods to explore.

Children can choose from a range of sandwiches, wraps or vegetable omlette options, alongside a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables. They can also choose rice crackers, followed by natural Greek-style yoghurt or milk.

🌿 12:30pm — Outdoor Play

After lunch, we have our second opportunity to enjoy the garden.

😴 1:00pm — Rest & Quiet Time

Children who need a sleep can settle in our dedicated sleep area with a member of staff, usually their key person.

For our older children, this is a quieter part of the day. We come together to enjoy a story or spend some time looking at books and relaxing.

🧸 1:30pm — Free Play & Child-Led Learning

The afternoon is centred around free play and child-led activities. Children are encouraged to follow their own interests, make choices and explore at their own pace.

Our practitioners use these opportunities to join in with children's play, extend their ideas and introduce meaningful learning opportunities based on what interests them.

🎵 2:30pm — Goodbye Song

As we begin to wind down towards the end of the day, we all come together for our goodbye song. This gives children the opportunity to say goodbye to their friends and teachers and get ready for our 3:00pm home time.

🏠 3:00pm — Home Time

Children who are finishing their nursery day are collected, while those staying with us for the full day continue with their afternoon activities and free play.

🍽️ 4:00pm — Hot Dinner

For children staying with us for the full day, a nutritious hot dinner is provided at 4:00pm. This forms part of our relaxed mealtime routine and gives children the opportunity to enjoy another healthy meal before the end of their nursery day.

Every day is an opportunity to play, explore, learn and grow.

Communication and Language

Children’s communication and language skills are supported through daily conversations, storytelling, songs and group times. Practitioners model vocabulary, listen attentively and extend children’s ideas through open-ended questioning ensuring to maintain a language rich environment. Our cosy book nook and small-group spaces provide calm areas for sharing stories, discussions and listening activities, helping children build confidence in expressing themselves.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We support children to build confidence, independence and positive relationships through warm key-person bonds and a nurturing environment. Children learn to share, cooperate and manage feelings through play, routines and group experiences. Our role-play area encourages collaboration, empathy and imagination, while daily responsibilities and choices help children develop independence and self-belief.

Physical Development

Children develop physical skills through active play, climbing, balancing, digging, transporting and fine-motor activities. Indoors, children strengthen coordination through mark-making, construction and creative activities in our designated areas, while outdoor play and local outings provide space for movement, exploration and healthy physical development.

Literacy

Literacy develops through shared stories, songs, rhymes and meaningful mark-making opportunities throughout the environment. Children access books independently in our book nook and practise early writing in creative and role-play areas. Practitioners encourage name recognition, storytelling and a love of books through engaging, interest-led experiences.

Mathematics

Mathematical understanding is developed through counting, sorting, comparing, measuring and problem-solving in everyday play. Our maths and construction areas provide opportunities to explore number, shape, size and pattern, while real-life routines such as sharing, tidying and organising resources help children understand quantity and spacial awareness.

Understanding the World

Children learn about people, communities and the natural world through exploration, discussion and first-hand experiences. We encourage curiosity about nature, seasons and living things through outdoor learning and local walks, including visits to the River Ems and nearby green spaces. Technology, cultural experiences and celebrations also help children understand the wider world.

Expressive Arts and Design

Creativity is encouraged through art, music, movement and imaginative play. Our designated art area provides open-ended materials for painting, collage, modelling and design, while the role-play space supports storytelling and imagination. Children freely explore materials, express ideas and develop confidence in their creativity.