Cracker Jacks Day Nursery

Cracker Jacks Day Nursery A Childrens Day Nursery offering childcare for ages 3mths - 12yrs

“Why won’t my child just LISTEN the first time?!” 😩If you’ve ever said this mid-dinnertime meltdown, mid-bath splash war...
02/05/2025

“Why won’t my child just LISTEN the first time?!” 😩
If you’ve ever said this mid-dinnertime meltdown, mid-bath splash war, or mid-iPad negotiation — you’re not alone.
And nope, your child isn’t being ‘naughty’ or ignoring you just to wind you up.

The truth?
Most toddlers aren’t sure you actually mean what you say.
And if they don’t believe you’ll follow through… they’re rolling the dice. 🎲

In this post, we’re breaking down 5 reasons your child isn’t listening the first time — and what you can do TODAY to change that (without yelling, threatening Disneyland, or crying into your cuppa).

✨ Boundaries don’t have to feel like battles.
✨ You don’t have to repeat yourself 76 times.
✨ You can be the calm leader your child needs.

Save this for the next iPad stand-off. 💪
Tag a parent who needs this reminder 👇

Tantrums are totally normal! They’re just little ones learning to manage big feelings. One of our favourite strategies a...
30/04/2025

Tantrums are totally normal! They’re just little ones learning to manage big feelings. One of our favourite strategies at nursery?

Name the emotion:
"You’re feeling really frustrated because you wanted the red cup."
It helps them feel seen and begins to build emotional vocabulary. 🧠💛

👂 What’s one tip or phrase that’s helped you during a tricky moment? Share below — your insight could help another parent in our community! 🫶

25/04/2025

Every block stacked, puzzle solved, and giggle shared, it’s all learning through play. At Crackerjacks, play isn’t just fun, it’s the foundation for confident, curious kids
What’s your child’s favourite way to play right now?

This season is full of opportunities to support your child’s learning through everyday play. Whether it’s counting petal...
23/04/2025

This season is full of opportunities to support your child’s learning through everyday play. Whether it’s counting petals, spotting bugs, or making mud pies, there’s magic in the mess! 🐞🧮

Top Tip: Try a “nature treasure hunt” on your next walk — look for sticks, feathers, leaves, and flowers. Then bring them home to create your own nature collage! 🎨

👉 Have you tried something like this? Drop a photo in the comments — we’d LOVE to see what your little ones discover!

20/04/2025

Happy Easter to all our Crackerjacks Family!

Wishing you all a lovely day

From Everyone at Crackerjacks

We all know that young children thrive on routine, but did you know that having a consistent wind-down ritual before bed...
16/04/2025

We all know that young children thrive on routine, but did you know that having a consistent wind-down ritual before bedtime can help reduce tantrums and improve sleep? 😴💤

Whether it’s a warm bath, a bedtime story, or a few minutes of quiet cuddles, small steps can make a big difference.

👶 What’s your go-to bedtime routine trick?

We’d love to hear from our amazing Crackerjacks parents! Share your tips below 👇 You never know who it might help! 💛

🚨 Your kid’s melting down in the middle of the supermarket queue . What do you do? 😬🛒We asked you this exact question re...
09/04/2025

🚨 Your kid’s melting down in the middle of the supermarket queue . What do you do? 😬🛒

We asked you this exact question recently, and here’s how it played out 👇

A) Ignore and keep moving forward 🛒
B) Try to reason with them 😌
C) Hand them a snack or toy to distract 🍏
D) Pick them up and leave ASAP 🚪

Most of you said you'd go with A – Ignore and keep it moving (and honestly, sometimes that’s all you can do when the queue is crawling and the tantrum is building momentum).

BUT , we loved hearing the other takes too.
Some of you said you'd step out of line and get down to their level to help them regulate.
Others said you'd ride it out alongside them, no matter how many awkward stares you got.

And a few of you were like, “I have no idea, please send help.”

So here’s what we would recommend as early years professionals:

💡 Tantrums aren’t bad behaviour. They’re communication.

When a child has a meltdown in a public place, their little brain is usually overloaded – tired, hungry, overstimulated, or frustrated that they can't express what they need. They’re not trying to be difficult. They’re struggling.

✅ Stay calm (even if you’re dying inside 🙃)
✅ Validate their feelings – a simple “I can see you’re upset” goes a long way
✅ If it’s safe to do so, take a moment – crouch down, offer a calm voice, name the emotion
✅ Distraction or redirection is totally fine too – snacks, toys, even a silly voice can work wonders
✅ And if it’s just one of those days – give yourself grace. You’re not a bad parent. You're a human.

💬 What’s helped YOU in meltdown moments? Let’s share the tips in the comments so we can all survive the next checkout showdown together 😅👇

🧩💙 Today we celebrate Autism Awareness Day at Crackerjacks! 💙🧩Every child is unique, and we’re proud to create a space w...
02/04/2025

🧩💙 Today we celebrate Autism Awareness Day at Crackerjacks! 💙🧩

Every child is unique, and we’re proud to create a space where every little personality is embraced, supported, and celebrated.

Let’s continue to spread kindness, acceptance, and understanding, today and every day. 💛🦕

15/03/2025

📢 PARENTS – HELP NEEDED!

Imagine this: You’re in the middle of the shopping checkout line, and your toddler suddenly throws themselves on the floor screaming because you said no to sweets. 😬

You’re getting stares from strangers, you feel embarrassed, your trolley is full, and you just want to get out of there…

💬 What’s your go-to move in this moment?

A) Ignore and keep moving forward 🛒
B) Try to reason with them 😌
C) Hand them a snack or toy to distract 🍏
D) Pick them up and leave ASAP 🚪

Comment below with your answer (or your most memorable public tantrum story)! Let’s help each other survive these moments. 😅👇

You're not alone! Encouraging social play can be a game changer in helping your child build friendships and develop esse...
04/03/2025

You're not alone! Encouraging social play can be a game changer in helping your child build friendships and develop essential social skills. Here's how you can encourage social play that grows connection!

Social skills are vital for your child's growth. They enhance communication, teamwork, and empathy.

Here are a few Tips for Encouraging Social Play:

1️⃣ Create Play Opportunities: Host a playdate or join a local playgroup. Tag a fellow parent you'd love to connect with and arrange a fun playdate!

2️⃣ Role-Playing Games: Encourage imaginative play with costumes or puppets. Share your child's favourite role play scenario in the comments!

3️⃣ Story time Adventures: Organise a story circle where kids can share their favourite tales. What's your child's favourite story to tell? Comment below!

4️⃣ Outdoor Fun: Plan a picnic or a trip to the park. Share a photo of your latest outdoor adventure with your little one!

5️⃣ Crafty Creations: Set up a craft station with shared projects. Post a picture of your child's masterpiece and inspire others!

📸 We'd love to see your little ones in action! Share pictures of your children engaging in social play using the hashtag and let’s create a supportive community.

💬 Join the Conversation: How do you encourage your child to make friends and socialise? Drop your tips or questions in the comments, and let's support each other on this journey!

👥 Don't forget to share this post with other parents who might find these tips helpful. Together, we can make social play a positive and enriching experience for all children! 💖

Address

3 Foundry Way
St Neots
CAMBS

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

01480477515

Website

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