Tiny Trees Childcare

A few pics from our Spring term!

🐦 We had a loose research project of birds running through the term, starting with the Big Garden Birdwatch in January where we focused on identifying birds through sight and sound, through to creating our own birds’ nests from different materials and then learning about eggs just in time for Easter. I can’t stop the children making their own ‘nests’ every day now 😂

🌷 Every couple of weeks we’ve had a spring flower that we’ve focused on identifying, using it as inspiration for our artwork and then spotting on our trips out and about.

🧮 I’ve been experimenting with having a dedicated maths corner always set up in the playroom, regularly rotating simple activities and invitations to play. This is particularly to make sure my preschoolers are getting a really solid foundation in concepts around number, shape, weight etc before they head off to school. As well as maths of course always featuring more organically in our everyday activities like baking and water play!

🌞 And of course, plenty of fun had playing with friends, in the garden, down the allotment, at playgroups, the park, the woods, having babyccinos at the cafe and at our own special playground and nature reserve at my parent’s farm where I grew up. And finally seeing some sunshine!

The real handwriting for 4-5 year olds.

And yes, letter formation too as a gift to share with joy, unconditional love, and a deep understanding of what and who 4-5 year olds are and why they are on the planet…✨

What other powerful movements do you value for your children and how much time do they get to experience them within the flow of each day?

👧🏻👦🏾not🤖🤖

A few pics from winter at Tiny Trees as we say farewell to 2025! Happy Christmas to everyone- excited for the adventures that 2026 will bring 😀

I had such a great and inspiring time on Saturday attending the REACHout Early Years Stronger Practice Hub East of England conference all about Enaing Environments.

Having two artists run the workshops and give the keynote talk made for such a fun and motivating conference where we explored using clay as a medium in the Early Years and took part in a large scale loose parts workshop.

Thank you to all those who organised it! I can’t wait to put some of the ideas into practice in my own setting 😊

I love how as a childminder setting we can spend all day outdoors if everyone is feeling it! Now the colder weather is coming we will still be spending much of our time playing, exploring and learning outdoors- all you need is the right clothing, plenty of snacks and maybe a hot chocolate at the end of it ☕

Imagine if kindergarten were actually built for children.

More movement. More play. More joy.
Fewer delays. Fewer referrals. Fewer “behavior issues.”

Brains would wire the way they’re meant to.
Teachers could breathe again.
Children would love school instead of surviving it.

It’s not radical. It’s developmentally appropriate.

We don’t need to invent a new solution. We just need to return kindergarten to what worked, before we complicated it into something it was never meant to be.

Going outside is so much more than just going outside…

🍂 Autumn in the Woods 🍂

We’ve made the most of the Autumn sunshine we’ve been having and been trying to get out to the woods as much as possible recently. Conkers, acorns, colourful leaves… so many treasures to collect and then use in our play when we are back home.

When I worked in school nurseries for 3–4-year-olds, we were expected to begin Phase 2 phonics in September — almost immediately after the children had started. The idea was that starting early would give them a head start with reading and writing. But in reality? It often had the opposite effect. Children were overwhelmed, disengaged, and in some cases, put off from wanting to read or write at all. The focus on formal learning came before settling in, emotional connection, and belonging — the very foundations of all learning. ⸻ My own approach to early education is deeply inspired by the Scandinavian ways of teaching, learning, and living well. ✨ In countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, formal education starts much later — around age 6 or 7 — yet children go on to outperform many other nations academically. More importantly, they develop the life skills, resilience, and wellbeing that come from a curriculum focused on the whole child. ⸻ 🌱 So, how would the Scandinavians approach “phonics” in nursery? They’d begin by meeting the child where they are. If a 3-year-old shows no interest in letters, this isn’t seen as a concern — nor something to be forced with tracing sheets or alphabet drills. Instead, the focus is on nurturing curiosity, confidence, and communication through play and real experiences. When a child naturally begins to notice letters or hear initial sounds — “Mummy and Max both start with mmm!” — educators gently follow that curiosity in a playful, meaningful way. ⸻ 🍃 Letters in daily life Letters appear naturally, not as a lesson but as part of living and playing: ✨ Writing a friend’s name label for their cubby ✨ Making signs or menus in the role play café ✨ Spotting letters on milk cartons during snack time ✨ Drawing letters in sand, snow, mud, or playdough ✨ Forming letters with sticks or stones outdoors ✨ Sending real letters or little notes — and the joy of receiving one back! This is literacy that feels alive and purposeful. ⸻ 🌸 Language first, always Scandinavian educators know that a strong foundation in oral language, storytelling, rhyme, and rhythm naturally leads to literacy later. Their days are filled with: 📖 Storytelling circles 🎶 Traditional songs and rhymes rich in rhythm 🖍 Children “writing” their own stories through drawings and symbols ⸻ 🕯 A rich, not rigid environment Print is purposeful and beautiful — never overwhelming. You might find: 🍂 A cozy writing nook with envelopes and stamps 🌿 Labels co-created with children (“Shall we write mud kitchen together?”) 📚 Books within easy reach — in baskets, dens, and quiet corners indoors and out ⸻ 🌼 The Nordic belief In Scandinavia, there’s a deep trust that learning unfolds in its own time. Formal reading instruction begins when children are ready — around age 6–7 — but the love of language begins at birth. They believe that interest is the seed and play is the soil. And when children are given time, space, and trust to grow — they flourish. 🌿 ⸻ ✨ For more inspiration on balancing play, curiosity, and learning the Hygge way, visit: 👉 www.hyggeintheearlyyears.co.uk #hyggeintheearlyyears #rewildingyourwanderlust #playbasedlearning #childledlearning #eyfsinspiration #scandinavianeducation #phonicsineyfs #natureplay #storytelling #earlyyearspractice

If your child is under the age of five and attends an early years provision, they will be looked after and educated by early years professionals who understand how children develop and learn.

You may choose to send them to a pre-school, a nursery or a childminder, your choice will depend on what you think is best for your child and what is available in your local area.

One thing that your child’s early years provider will have in common is that they will all have to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Want to know more about the Early Years Foundation Stage? Read our blog:
www.familycorner.co.uk/family-guide-early-years-foundation-stage-eyfs/

🍁 Settling into September 🍁

This past month has been all about settling in at Tiny Trees- settling back into our old routines after the summer break, settling into new, slightly more independent ones as some of my mindees enter their preschool year with me, and settling in a new little mindee who has just started this month.

Planned activities have been kept to a minimum and I've instead focused on connection and fostering a sense of familiarity and warmth at my setting. I’ve really been in observational mode this month, seeing what resources the children are drawn to or not, and if anything can be tweaked in our routine to make everything run as smoothly as possible.

It’s been especially lovely to see the children so excited to see their friends after the long summer break. The gentle start to the year seems to be paying off and everyone is seeming happy and keen to come and play each morning!

Had so much fun today at some training from Inspired Children on loose parts, den building and ‘risky’ play. Didn’t expect to play tag with fellow childcare professionals on a Saturday morning :)