Hearts and Minds Childcare

Your child's journey to starting school begins now, for helpful information please go to https://startingreception.co.uk/

Don't forget to apply for your child's school place . Thursday 15 January 2026 - National closing date for primary applications (statutory).
Please visit: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/apply-for-a-school-place/starting-primary-school/

The girls taking a well earned night off after a very busy year!
Merry Christmas from The Hearts & Minds Team 🎄

Keeping children safe online

To keep children under 5 safe online, parents should:

Explore together: Engage with your child's favourite apps and websites to understand their online activities and interests.

Talk about online experiences: Start and continue conversations about what your child enjoys online, introducing online safety messages.

Supervise online activities: Keep devices in communal areas where adults can supervise, and avoid unsupervised internet access in private spaces.

Use parental controls: Utilize parental controls on home broadband and any internet-enabled device to manage access to content.

Encourage shared spaces: Use devices in shared areas like the living room or kitchen, and avoid tech-free mealtimes.

Choose child-friendly sites: Set a homepage to a child-friendly site like CBeebies and restrict access to only chosen sites and apps.

Screen time: IT is recommended that children have no more than an hour per day on screens.

By implementing these strategies, parents can help ensure that their children under 5 have a safe and enjoyable online experience.



Please see below a link to more advise and support: Keeping children safe online | NSPCC

Here is a lovely story to listen to with your child: https://youtu.be/w7vZF-8bTF

Communication Cues

Children who can recognise facial expressions accurately in others will more readily learn to recognise their own and others' feelings and respond appropriately.
The phrase your face paints a thousand word is right for children.

Communication Cues

What a great week we have had a nursery. The sun has been shinning and we have taking the opportunity to enjoy it.
This week communication support is all about asking questions.
You should be doing a range of open ended and closed questions. Don't forget to allow time for the child to respond back as well as keeping question clear and focused on one point.

Communication Cue Cards

We have had a great week at nursery celebrating St. George's Day. We have been doing horse races, morris dancing, making swords and much more.
This week communication support card is all about getting up and moving. It's meant to be great weather this week so why not go for a sound walk, visit a woodland , take a family walk down the beach. Anywhere just don't forget to talk about what you can see, hear, smell and touch. Allow your child time to talk and when needed prompt conversations with questions.

Good Morning Everyone,

We hope you had a great Easter break off and made some great family memories.

A great opportunity for communication is day to day routines.They allow you to ask questions , provided instructions and new vocabulary. Some of the best routines are teeth brushing, washing the pots, getting dressed, sorting the garden out and mealtimes.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram. You can find us at Hearts and Minds Childcare.

Communication cues

This weeks communication support card focus is on vocabulary and introducing new words. By the time a child reaches five years old, they typically should know and use around 2,500 words. A great way to introduce vocabulary is by getting children involved in day to day routines and talking through what is going on as well as using descriptive words.