The Kind Nest

26/06/2026

🥂Yesterday evening, I raised a glass with some incredible people who have helped make The Kind Nest what it is today as we celebrate our successful Ofsted inspection and passing with strong merit! 🌟

Firstly, my wonderful Mum – known as Nanna to so many of our children. From attending my very first parent classes to supporting me from the very beginning of The Kind Nest, she has been there every step of the way. She lovingly knits beautiful treasures for our setting, offers endless cuddles, kindness and reassurance, and brings the warmth and nurturing only a grandparent can provide. 💛

And then there’s Super Sam! Sam joined The Kind Nest to help us support even more children and families, and what a blessing she has been. She is an incredible teacher, bursting with enthusiasm, love and energy. She has completely embraced the values and vision of The Kind Nest and is an absolute joy to work alongside every day.

A huge thank you also goes to my family, my husband and my sons, who have embraced my vision of The Kind Nest with so much encouragement, patience and love every step of the way. Your support behind the scenes means more than words can say. ❤️

And to all the families who have supported us over the years, from my parent classes to those who now bring their children (and even siblings!) to our sessions – thank you. Your trust, encouragement and belief in what we do means everything.

I feel truly blessed to have built a nest that I love so deeply and to work alongside such inspirational children, parents and colleagues every day. ❤️.

Cheers everyone! 🥂

thankyou childcarewithheart kindnessmatters

21/06/2026

Today we are celebrating the magic of fatherhood and all the wonderful daddies, grandads, stepdads, father figures, and those who hope to become daddies one day.

One of the greatest privileges of what we do at The Kind Nest is working so closely with families and witnessing the special relationships between children and their fathers. Whether it’s the cuddles at drop-off, the excitement of sharing an achievement, or the comfort of knowing Daddy is there, these connections help children feel safe, loved, and confident to explore the world around them.

The children worked incredibly hard to create some special Father’s Day gifts. They baked delicious gingerbread ready for their daddies to decorate together during our Father’s Day celebration, and each child designed a personalised chopping board featuring their own drawing and handprint – a precious keepsake to treasure for years to come.

It was so lovely to welcome Daddies into The Kind Nest. Thank you for taking the time to join us, make memories with your children, and be part of our community. Seeing the pride on the children’s faces as they shared their creations with you was truly magical.

Wishing all of our daddies, father figures, and future daddies a wonderful Father’s Day filled with love, laughter, and special moments with those who matter most. 💙

learningthroughlove familyconnections kindnesscourageauthenticity thekindnestcommunity

08/06/2026

We often focus on children’s academic skills… but what about their inner voice?

For young children, simple, gentle questions help them feel safe, understood, and valued 💛

⭐️ What makes you happy?
⭐️ What do you love doing?
⭐️ What helps when you feel sad?
⭐️ Who do you like to be with?
⭐️ What are you proud of?
⭐️ Can you show me your favourite thing today?
⭐️ What makes you feel better?
⭐️ Do you feel happy or sad right now?

💭 Little conversations like these build confidence, emotional awareness, and connection.
How children feel matters just as much as what they learn.

RaisingConfidentChildren

27/05/2026

Children need to know that all feelings are safe to feel.

When we rush to say
“You’re fine”
or distract with treats or rewards,
children can begin to believe their feelings should be hidden or quickly pushed away.

Instead, try to:

• Acknowledge the feeling
“You seem sad/angry/scared… what’s happened?”

• Relate to their experience
“I’m sorry that happened.”

• Offer support
“Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?”

• Share gentle suggestions
“When I feel sad, a cuddle and a quiet moment helps me feel calm again.”

Children don’t need us to fix every feeling.
They need us to sit alongside them while they learn to understand and manage those big emotions 💛

bigfeelings emotionregulation consciousparenting raisingchildren parentingtips childrensmentalhealth supportiveparenting emotionalwellbeing eyfs positiveparenting

25/05/2026

Little did I know, a weekly practice of mine would become washing dolls’ faces and hair after all of the makeovers and hair do’s the children lovingly create.

This little station began with a pre-loved bookcase, a pre-loved mirror, some pre-loved hairdresser dolls, recycled shampoo bottles and face paint pens — simple resources brought together with care and imagination

And the children absolutely adore it.

Week after week, this space is filled with storytelling, role play, creativity, conversations and nurturing care. The dolls are styled, pampered, covered in face paint masterpieces and then lovingly washed clean again, ready for another day of play 💛

It is such a beautiful reminder that children do not need brand new or expensive resources to create meaningful play. Often, the most loved spaces are built from recycled, reused and thoughtfully chosen treasures.

openendedplay recycledplay sustainableplay childledlearning invitationtoplay creativeplay preschoollife imaginativeplay playmatters earlychildhood curiouschildren loosepartsplay preloved tufftrayideas childhoodunplugged playbasedlearning

18/05/2026

Being British 🇬🇧✨

This week we have been celebrating all the wonderful things that make Britain special to us through play, creativity and connection.

The children adored exploring flag play in the sand, talking about the Union Jack and proudly creating their very own flags using paint, collage and mark making ❤️🤍💙

Throughout the week we celebrated being British in ways that felt meaningful and child-led. We voted on our favourite animals, shared how we were feeling and chose the stories we wanted to listen to together — celebrating the importance of having a voice and being heard.

We sang traditional songs, made British tea, explored colour mixing with Union Jack colours and enjoyed role playing with our Lanka Kade castle, where the children imagined brave soldiers protecting the king 👑

There were weather reports about the good old English rain ☔, afternoon teas made from loose parts and playdough, and lots of journeys in the royal carriage during imaginative play.

We are proud to celebrate Britain for its traditions, kindness, diversity, creativity, storytelling, humour, resilience and the freedom children have to learn through play, curiosity and exploration. Most of all, we are proud to create a space where every child feels they belong 💛

learningthroughplay unionjack childledlearning roleplay smallworldplay playbasedlearning earlychildhood creativeplay britishweather afternoontea messyplay loosepartsplay tufftrayideas kindnessmatters curiouschildren preschoolactivities imaginativeplay

11/05/2026

29/04/2026

Home days
Days with our children don’t always need to be days out 🤍
Often, the days they love most are the quiet, practical ones at home.

This week my youngest helped me put up new signs in our outdoor classroom. My mind told me I could do it in two minutes… but he was so keen to try. With time, perseverance and careful observation, he ended up screwing them in independently.

We baked cakes together too – weighing ingredients, following instructions and, of course, taste testing (his favourite part 😉).
He also helped me fill our mindset pots ready for class, predicting which colours would make secondary colours, carefully pouring, mixing lavender and even adding sprinkles.

I got jobs done that needed doing.
He felt capable, trusted and deeply involved.
And learning happened naturally, along the way.

Sometimes slowing down is where the magic is ✨

parentingintentionally earlyyears eyfs outdoorlearning processoverproduct presenceoverperfection thekindnest

26/04/2026

We often focus on children’s academic skills… but what about their inner voice?

For young children, simple, gentle questions help them feel safe, understood, and valued 💛

What makes you happy?
What do you love doing?
What helps when you feel sad?
Who do you like to be with?
What are you proud of?
Can you show me your favourite thing today?
What makes you feel better?
Do you feel happy or sad right now?

Little conversations like these build confidence, emotional awareness, and connection.

Because how children feel matters just as much as what they learn.

RaisingConfidentChildren