N Family Club Wandsworth

From throwing a tantrum when it's time for bed and foot stamping in defiance to crying on drop-off, young children express a whole range of big emotions. Their brains are going through a period of rapid development, and often, the behaviour they are exhibiting is as a result of not yet having the skills to manage the emotion themselves - that's according to Dr. Maryhan Baker, clinical psychologist and host of the parenting podcast 'How Not to Screw Up Your Kids.'.

Last week, Dr. Maryhan dove into the world of big emotions to support families to build their child's emotional resilience. Through better understanding where emotions come from and why they happen, families were equipped with practical ways to respond to their children's behaviours.

Swipe through to see the highlights from our Family Club virtual community event…

This week, as part of our self-expression pillar within our atelier art curriculum, the atelier at N Wandsworth has been transformed as children prepare for their upcoming aquarium visit. Using lights, sounds, and scents, they’re exploring the wonders of the ocean - from painting with sea-inspired colours, listening to ocean sounds, and experiencing the texture of shells and sand through sensory play.

This immersive experience sparks imagination and deepens excitement for the creatures they’ll soon encounter at the aquarium!

Shown in the photo: N Wandsworth

To strengthen their confidence around books and to celebrate National Storytelling Week, the preschoolers at N Wandsworth took a trip to their local library for a special reading by Mama G. Listening to Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty, they were up and down and acting out scenes from the book - and laughing a lot along the way!

What better way to celebrate LGBT+ History Month than to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing figures who helped to change the course of history. By recognising their incredible achievements, we can celebrate the present and help the next generation to create a better future for all.

To mark Children's Mental Health Week and nurture emotional intelligence, the toddlers at N Church Street have been getting messy with a sensory-rich learning experience. Using The Colour Monster as a guiding resource, they were encouraged to identify and articulate their own feelings by selecting and applying colours that represent different emotional states.

Meet Safi, the ever-watchful safety chameleon and the newest recruit in our N safety squad!

It all started in early 2024 with a mission: to create a fun and unforgettable mascot that could help our nursery teams teach the importance of staying safe. Whether it’s washing hands, climbing stairs, or crossing the road, we wanted a playful yet powerful way to help recognise hazards and build confidence in safety in early years.

So, we turned to the best creative minds we know - our children! We launched a competition, inviting them to dream up the perfect safety ambassador, and after lots of imaginative ideas, one stood out: a chameleon named Safi!

With a Ghanaian-print crest, a flamenco-spot underbelly, and big, watchful eyes, Safi is more than just a toy; this colourful mascot is a symbol of awareness, adaptability, and fun.

Now, Safi has found their place in every nursery, ready to encourage safe habits and remind us all that we need to look out for one another.

Welcome to the squad, Safi!

The children at N Stoke Newington, Defoe Road, pulled on their waterproofs and wellies for a morning adventure to Abney Road - one of London's 'Magnificent Seven' garden cemeteries. Using their maps and compasses, the children explored the sculptures and gravestones, spotting carved-stone animals and even the beehive monument.

The peaceful park was the perfect setting for children to practice their outdoor orienteering and teamwork skills and build cultural capital as part of their N Passport.

Throughout February at N, we will be marking LGBT+ History Month and celebrating the beauty of identity. By using education as a tool to empower children, we hope they will grow up to live in a world where everyone is safe, seen, and supported.

Today marks the start of National Storytelling Week, a celebration of the power of sharing stories. Stories are a form of escapism for children; a chance to dive headfirst into a whole new world and explore experiences through someone else's eyes.

This year's theme is 'Reimagine your world' and is based on the book What Will I Be by Frances Stickley - offering a chance for children to conjure up a magical world out of something quite ordinary. Here are some of the recommended books from the National Literacy Trust for this very special week…

Dating back to the 19th century, the former public house 'Elmer Lodge', school, and church on Dunbar Avenue is being reimagined as a nursery - welcome N Beckenham to the family!

Set back from the road, the imposing white Victorian villa is receiving a sympathetic restoration to ensure both its prominence in the local area and a destination for early years. The proud stone lions atop the entrance will welcome new families into the inviting and airy N Cafe. From here you will find seven playrooms across three floors as well as an atelier for unleashing creativity. At the rear of the building, a newly developed garden will become a haven for biodiversity and a base for outdoor play and learning - a core part of our N Curriculum.

And, because we understand just how busy our families are, our carriage driveway will mean hassle-free drop-offs and pick-ups, while our buggy, bike, and scooter stores are conveniently located for those mad-dash moments. We'll have teas and sustainable coffee from Caravan in the N Cafe, as well as delicious snacks to grab and go.

To hear more about our new nursery and how N Beckenham can support your family, give our admissions team a call today 🚀

Wishing our wonderful children, families, and team a Happy Lunar New Year!

This tasty fish recipe is too good to just keep on the N menu! Packed full of nutrients and rich in protein, the dish can be pan to plate in less than 20 minutes - perfect for busy families and satisfying hungry tummies.

🌶️ Ingredients for couscous:
1 red pepper
½ large white onion
400g couscous
400 ml hot water
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp mixed herbs
½ lemon
Handful chopped parsley

🐟 Ingredients for harissa cod:
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp coriander
1 tbsp olive oil
400 g skinless, boneless cod

Method for couscous:
1. Cook off the chopped onion and pepper in a pan with some oil.
2. Add the couscous and hot water to a pan and cook for 10 minutes, making sure to fluff with a fork when cooked, transferring to a bowl.
3. Add the dried herbs and half of the paprika, lemon juice, and zest.
4. Finally, add the chopped parsley and mix through the couscous.

Method for harissa cod:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. First, make the harissa paste by mixing the cumin powder, garlic powder, coriander powder, oil, and the remainder of both the paprika and lemon juice.
3. Rub the paste onto the cod and bake in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, making sure it’s opaque and flakes easily when cooked.
4. Serve separately and enjoy!