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Reading Corner

Screen Time for Babies and Toddlers: A Practical Guide

Screens are now part of everyday family life. Whether it’s a video call with family members who live far away, watching a favourite nursery rhyme or keeping little ones entertained while dinner is cooking, most families use screens in one way or another. However, a recent landmark study has suggested that screen time for children under two may be linked to long-term effects on development. The researchers recommend avoiding screen time for children under two wherever possible, while recognising an

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toddler playing in the sand

Summer Fun at Sandytots: Our 2026 Summer Activity Calendar

Summer has arrived at Sandytots, bringing with it the season of sprinklers, sandpits, ice creams and, most importantly, plenty of fun! We’ve got an exciting line-up of themed activity days planned throughout the summer holidays, giving the children even more opportunities to play, explore and make wonderful memories with their friends. Whether they’re dressing up for Disney Day, dancing at our disco or enjoying a Teddy Bear Picnic, each themed day has been planned to spark imagination, encourage creativity and

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boy covered in paint smiling

From Mud Pies to Masterpieces: The Benefits of Messy Play

Anyone who brings their little one to Sandytots is always told two things: 👕 Never bring them in their best clothes.🎒 Always pack a spare set. From accidents to food spillages, spare clothes are always a good idea. But most importantly, we’re firm believers that some of the very best learning gets messy. Whether it’s muddy hands in the Mud Kitchen, paint on sleeves or compost under fingernails, these moments are often where the richest learning happens. Let’s dive into

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2026 Dates to Remember at Sandytots

We hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year! As we give a warm welcome to 2026, we thought we’d share with you a few key dates to remember throughout the year. February 2026 Parents Evening – Tuesday 10th February 2026 We would like to discuss your child’s progress with a 10-minute slots between 6:10 PM and 8:00 PM. Please book your appointment with your child’s key worker starting from 26th January 2026. As you can understand, it

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Christmas time at Sandytots!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Christmas at Sandytots! 🎄 We’ve got loads of fun events coming up as we get ready for Santa’s arrival and celebrate the Christmas magic. On top of the festive cheer, we’ll also be exploring the winter season and all the wonderful things it brings. Check out all important December dates below and reach out to your child’s key worker if you have any questions. 11th December 2024: Christmas Jumper Day 🥳  Children

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Autumn Routines: Helping Children Transition Into Shorter Days

Autumn means lots of wonderful things and it’s a season we LOVE at Sandytots. Crunching through piles of leaves, spotting pumpkins, collecting conkers, and putting on our wellies for puddle jumping – there’s so much for little ones to enjoy! We’ve even been keeping an eye out for hedgehogs, who, just like us, notice the shorter days and start preparing for their long winter sleep. While autumn feels magical, the shift to darker evenings and shorter days can sometimes make

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The Power of Language Modelling: Simple Ways to Boost Your Child’s Speech

At Sandytots, we know how much you love watching your little one learn and grow. One of the simplest and most powerful ways to support their journey is through the way you talk to them. Language modelling is all about showing children rich, clear language that they can hear, copy, and build on in their own time. By gently repeating, expanding, and encouraging their words, you give your child the chance to grow their vocabulary, shape sentences with confidence, and

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Celebrate Autumn with Sandytots!

We love the wonderful cosyness of Autumn… thick socks, everything is pumpkin scented and we get to splash in puddles with our wellies and hear the perfect crunch of leaves beneath our feet.  At Sandytots, we love making the most of Autumn – exploring everything the season has to offer and embracing its charm before the Christmas magic begins. We’ve planned some wonderful activities to help your little one soak up all the magic and fun that makes Autumn such

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How Outdoor Play Leads to Joyful Learning

At Sandytots, we love outdoor play – any chance we get to pull on our coats and wellies in the winter and splash through puddles, or to slather on sunscreen in the summer and dig in the sandpit, we take it! The outdoors is our biggest and best classroom. Whether it’s looking at worms after the rain, building dens from sticks, or chasing bubbles across the grass, children are learning in ways that are active, creative and full of joy.

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