KatieB Kids day nursery

Children’s work offers us a window into how they see and understand their world.

When a child drew this picture of herself playing in the garden, she wasn’t simply making marks on a page. She was recalling an experience, representing the people and places that matter to her, and communicating a story entirely of her own.

By displaying children’s creations alongside their own words, we show them that their ideas, experiences and unique ways of expressing themselves are valued. This is what it means to truly listen to children and make their thinking visible.

We’ve been published!

We’re delighted to share our latest article for Community Playthings Pebble magazine, exploring biophilic design and the importance of bringing the natural world into Early Years environments.

At KatieB Kids, we believe our environments are so much more than a backdrop to learning. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia principle of the environment as the “third teacher”, we think carefully about how natural light, organic materials, textures, movement and connections with nature can influence how children feel, regulate, explore and learn.

In the article, we delve into the research and theory behind biophilic design, exploring the growing evidence around nature-connected environments and children’s wellbeing, attention, cognitive development and self-regulation.

We’re passionate about contributing to a research-informed Early Years sector and translating academic thinking into meaningful, everyday practice for young children.

A very proud moment for our team, and a wonderful opportunity to share some of the thinking that shapes life at KatieB Kids with the wider Early Years community.

🌿 Read “Bringing the Outside In: Biophilic Design in the Early Years” here: https://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/learning-library/articles/bringing-the-outside-in

🌙☀️ Something special is happening in the sky tonight!

Tonight’s solar eclipse is a wonderful opportunity to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them. For young children, we can keep the explanation simple:

“The Moon is going to move in front of the Sun for a little while. It might look like the Sun is taking a bite!” 🌙

Experiences like this don’t need complicated explanations. They’re opportunities to wonder together, notice changes, ask questions and follow children’s curiosity.

And, most importantly, remember that little eyes should never look directly at the Sun. Safe eclipse viewing is essential. 🕶️

Meet Louise- our Practice Administration Lead

"When I joined KatieB Kids in 2017, I knew I'd found somewhere that truly saw children as individuals. Since then, my role has evolved, but my passion has remained the same: understanding how children communicate, making sure every child feels heard, and creating environments where every voice matters.

Alongside my work, I've continued to study and develop professionally, completing a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies, qualifying as a SENCo, and constantly exploring the latest research to strengthen what we do for children and families.

As I prepare to welcome my own daughter later this year, I'm excited to experience Early Years from a parent's perspective too. I know it will deepen my understanding even further, and I can't wait for her to become part of the KatieB Kids family when I return from maternity leave.

To read more about my journey and why communication and child voice are at the heart of everything I do, visit: https://zurl.co/BVqRj "

When we value the process over the product, creativity flourishes.

This 'funny gingerbread man' is so much more than a picture. It's evidence of imagination, decision-making, fine motor development, confidence and the joy of expressing an idea without fear of getting it "wrong".

In early childhood, we don't ask children to copy our ideas. We celebrate their own.

Every unique drawing reminds us that creativity isn't about perfection- it's about thinking differently.

Mrs Murphy's Hidden Veg Ragu

Looking for a family favourite that's packed with goodness? This ragu is one of our nursery classics, full of flavour and a brilliant way to include extra vegetables in a meal that little ones love.

By finely chopping and slowly cooking the vegetables, they melt into the rich tomato sauce, creating a delicious ragu that's perfect for even the fussiest eaters. Served with pasta, it's a comforting, nutritious meal that's ideal for busy family evenings.

"Three of us made it together with teamwork."

Some of the richest learning happens when children create together.

This beautiful sculpture emerged through shared ideas, communication and collaboration as the children worked together to arrange natural materials. Along the way, they listened, negotiated, solved problems and discovered the satisfaction of achieving something as a team.

Sometimes, the most meaningful part of the learning isn't what children make, but how they make it.

Meet Hayley- our Operations Manager & Curriculum Lead

“I joined KatieB Kids 12 years ago, just a few months after we first opened our doors, and I've had the privilege of helping shape the nursery, our curriculum and the experiences we create for children ever since.

As both an educator and a parent, I believe children thrive when they feel safe, understood and truly belong. Those values are at the heart of everything we do at KatieB Kids, and they're what continue to inspire me every day.

Watching the nursery grow alongside my own family has been incredibly rewarding, and I still feel just as passionate about supporting children, families and our amazing team as I did when I first started.”

To read more about my journey at KatieB Kids, visit https://zurl.co/uom1D

🥔 From planting to harvest!

Weeks after planting our seed potatoes, our Grandi children were thrilled to uncover what had been growing beneath the soil. Digging, discovering and comparing their harvest sparked conversations about growth, life cycles, patience and where our food comes from.

At KatieB Kids, these real-life experiences are at the heart of our Let's Nurture Futures™ framework. Through Let's Nurture Nature, children develop curiosity, resilience and a deeper connection with the world around them- because some of the richest learning grows over time.

Some of the richest learning doesn't happen in a single activity- it unfolds over days, weeks and sometimes even months.

Project work gives children the time, space and freedom to return to their ideas, test theories, solve problems and deepen their understanding through meaningful, hands-on experiences. Whether they're exploring clay, natural materials or the world around them, each encounter builds on the last, with children leading the direction of their own learning.

This is what sustained, child-led learning looks like.

Read more about why project work sits at the heart of our curriculum in our latest blog: 🔗 https://zurl.co/OpLyV