As we head towards the school holidays, let’s take a look at some simple, fun activities you can enjoy together to help create a magical summer – full of play, learning, and lasting memories for your little one. With all of the lovely weather we’ve been enjoying, it’s hard to believe the summer holidays haven’t even begun yet! When we think back to our own childhood summers, they seemed to stretch on forever – filled with paddling pools, sprinklers, barbecues,

In this blog we’ll explore the benefits of self-soothing, how it benefits your baby’s growth, and what you can do to gently support this process in a safe and nurturing way. As a caregiver it’s natural to want to comfort your baby through every upset. Those sweet cuddles are pure magic – you want to soak up every snuggle, every sigh, and yes, every delicious little head sniff! But did you know that the ability to self-sooth is a vital

This week we welcomed Guide Dogs Elmo, George and Petal into the nursery to help the children learn about Support Animals. We were so thrilled when Alison and Ellie from the charity Guide Dogs agreed to visit Sandytots and spend time with the children. Guide Dogs help people with sight loss live the life they choose. Over the years they’ve developed a wide range of services to support people living with a vision impairment. Their expert staff, dedicated volunteers and

At Sandytots we love play-based learning, it benefits your little one in so many ways, and gives them such a warm welcome into the world of education. If you’ve ever seen a child turn a cardboard box into a car, or host a tea party for their favourite toys, you’ve witnessed the joy of play-based learning.  For young children, play isn’t just a way to pass the time – it’s how they learn best. Through imaginative games, hands-on exploration and

We’ve put together our top tips for creating a smooth, stress-free morning routine for nursery drop-offs. We all know that the way your morning begins can set the tone for the entire day. When you wake up late and find yourself rushing to get out the door, it often feels like you’re playing catch-up from the start. Add a little one into the mix, and the stress can quickly multiply as you juggle getting both yourself and your child ready

EYFS stands for the Early Years Foundation Stage, and it sets the standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old. We thought we’d share with you a bitesize introduction to EYFS, so you can find out more about the care your child will receive up to the age of five years. Children thrive when parents and professionals work together, so understanding and supporting the EYFS framework will benefit your child immensely and

Starting nursery is a big milestone for both children and parents. It marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with learning, socialising, fun and independence. However, the transition can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll share practical tips to help you and your little one adjust and thrive in their new environment. 1. A Bespoke Care Plan Prior to your child’s first day at Sandytots, we’ll work with you to complete a personalised Care Plan for your child;

At Sandytots one of our favourite activities to do with the children is read wonderful books to them. We love engaging them in delightful and magical worlds filled with Gruffalos, bears and friendly monsters.  We take great pride in our little library! Each week, your child gets to bring home a library book in their book bag, opening the door to magical worlds, endless adventures, and boundless imagination.  Because reading is such a big part of nursery life, we asked

Finding healthy snacks that your toddler will enjoy can be challenging, and carving out time to prepare homemade options is even tougher. However, DIY snacks are often more affordable and nutritious for your little one. To make things easier, we’ve put together a list of quick, easy, and super-healthy snack ideas for toddlers! Fruit Platter A fruit platter is one of our all-time favorite snacks at Sandytots. Offering a colorful variety of fruits, it gives your child the freedom to

Nap time is key for your child’s continued development, when young children sleep they are improving their concentration, learning and memory. Letting your toddler nap during the day can also improve your child’s behaviour and may even reduce the number of meltdowns and tantrums that many children so delightfully experience! Nap time is also great for you – it gives you some precious ‘me-time’ to sit and unwind or get a chore ticked off your list that is rather difficult