What are the opening hours?

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

https://playawaydaynurseries.co.uk/nurseries/totton-nursery

Play Away Day Nursery Totton, 43 High Street, Totton (2026)

24/09/2026

🫧🦖 Dinosaur Wash Fun in Owl Babies Today! 🦖🫧

Today, Owl Babies children had lots of fun exploring our bubbly dinosaur washing activity!

The dinosaurs had become very messy and were covered in paint, so the children were encouraged to help wash them clean using the warm soapy water. They enjoyed splashing, rubbing and exploring the bubbles using their hands.

Throughout the activity, the children showed lots of curiosity as they explored the water, bubbles, paint and dinosaurs. We talked together about what they could see and feel, using words such as wet, bubbly, clean, dirty and different colour names.

The children were also able to develop their physical skills as they grasped the dinosaurs, rubbed the paint away and explored the water with their fingers and hands. They enjoyed playing alongside their friends, sharing the space and watching what others were doing.

This activity supported children to:

Develop sensory awareness through exploring water, bubbles and different textures.
Build communication and language skills through listening to and using new words.
Strengthen fine motor skills through grasping, rubbing and manipulating the dinosaurs.
Develop an understanding of cause and effect as they watched the paint wash away.
Build positive relationships through playing alongside others.

EYFS Links

Communication and Language

Listened to adults using descriptive language.
Developed vocabulary linked to the activity, including colours, textures and actions.
Communicated through sounds, gestures and words during play.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Enjoyed playing alongside other children.
Developed confidence when exploring a new sensory experience.
Shared the play space and resources with others.

Physical Development

Strengthened hand and finger muscles through grasping and rubbing.
Developed hand-eye coordination while handling and washing the dinosaurs.

Understanding the World

Explored water, bubbles, paint and different textures.
Observed how the dinosaurs changed from dirty to clean.
Explored simple cause and effect through splashing and washing.

Expressive Arts and Design

Explored colour and texture through messy play.
Used imagination during dinosaur-themed play.

The Owl Babies had a wonderful time getting messy, making bubbles and helping our dinosaurs become sparkling clean again! 🦖🫧💦

24/09/2026

🌊🐠 Under the Sea Tuff Tray at Paddingtons! 🐚🦀

Today, Paddingtons had lots of fun exploring our Under the Sea-themed tuff tray! 🌊💙 The children enjoyed getting hands-on as they explored the different sea creatures, textures and materials, using their imaginations to create their own underwater adventures. 🐙🐟🦑

The children talked about the different creatures they could see and where they might live, developing their communication and language skills as they shared their ideas and experiences. 🗣️

They also used their fine motor skills as they picked up, moved and positioned the sea creatures, developing hand strength and coordination through their play. 🤲

🐠 EYFS Links:

🗣️ Communication & Language – Building vocabulary, describing sea creatures and encouraging children to share their ideas and talk with their friends.

🌍 Understanding the World – Exploring sea life and talking about animals, their habitats and the natural world.

🤲 Physical Development – Developing fine motor control and hand-eye coordination through manipulating the resources.

🎨 Expressive Arts & Design – Using imagination and small-world play to create underwater stories and adventures.

🤝 Personal, Social & Emotional Development – Encouraging cooperative play, sharing resources and taking turns with friends.

What a fantastic underwater adventure! 🌊🐳💙

📸 A few snapshots from our Under the Sea exploration…

24/09/2026

🏖️🌊 Beach Sensory Play at Elmers! 🐚

Yesterday, the children in Elmers enjoyed a wonderful beach-themed sensory play experience! ☀️🏝️

The children explored the sand using scoops, spades and containers, developing their fine motor skills as they dug, filled, poured and transferred the sand. 🪣🤲

We listened to the sea inside shells and talked about the different sounds that water can make. 🐚🌊 We also chatted about the animals that live in the water, on the sand and underneath the sand, sharing ideas about what we might find at the beach. 🦀🐠🐚

The children were encouraged to recall their own experiences too, talking about what they had seen and done at the beach before. They also practised sharing, turn-taking and working together as they explored the sensory tray with their friends. 💛

It was a lovely opportunity to combine sensory exploration, communication, physical development and learning about the natural world — all while having lots of fun! 🌊🏖️😊

22/09/2026

🦕 Dinosaur Swamp Adventure at Paddingtons Today! 🦖

Today, the children thoroughly enjoyed exploring our exciting Dinosaur Swamp sensory activity! The children were eager to investigate the swamp using their hands and tools, discovering a variety of new textures as they searched for dinosaurs hidden within the messy play environment.

Throughout the activity, children demonstrated curiosity and enthusiasm as they explored different materials, describing what they could feel and see. They worked together, shared resources, and communicated their ideas and discoveries with their peers, helping to build confidence in their language and social skills.

The children used imaginative thinking to create stories about the dinosaurs, discussing where they lived and what they might eat. They showed excellent concentration and perseverance while digging, scooping, pouring, and rescuing the dinosaurs from the swamp.

This activity supported children to:

Develop their sensory awareness through exploring different textures.
Build communication and language skills by talking with peers and adults.
Strengthen fine motor skills through digging, scooping, grasping, and manipulating objects.
Encourage imaginative play and creative thinking.
Develop positive relationships through turn-taking, sharing, and cooperating with others.
EYFS Links

Communication and Language

Engaged in conversations with peers and adults.
Used descriptive language to talk about textures and dinosaurs.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Built relationships through cooperative play.
Developed confidence when sharing ideas and experiences.

Physical Development

Enhanced fine motor control through scooping, digging, and handling small dinosaur figures.

Understanding the World

Explored the natural world through dinosaur-themed investigation and sensory exploration.
Showed curiosity and asked questions about dinosaurs and their habitats.

Expressive Arts and Design

Used imagination to create stories and scenarios during play.

What a fantastic day of sensory exploration, communication, and discovery! The children showed great enthusiasm and engagement throughout the activity and had lots of fun learning through play. 🦕🌿🦖✨

22/09/2026

🇪🇸🌟 Spanish Lessons at Paddingtons! 🌟🇪🇸

The children at Paddingtons have kick-started their Spanish lessons with Clara! 🥳🗣️

The children have been learning some key Spanish words, including:

👋 Hola – Hello
👋 Adiós – Goodbye
🌙 Luna – Moon
🙏 Gracias – Thank you

The children have been enjoying joining in, practising their new words and having lots of fun with Spanish! 💃🎶😊

Our Spanish learning will continue throughout the year, giving the children lots of opportunities to build their vocabulary, develop their pronunciation and become familiar with the Spanish language and culture. 🇪🇸❤️

📸 Add pictures of the children practising their Spanish, using flashcards, singing songs or joining in with Clara’s activities here.

🌟 ¡Muy bien, Paddingtons! 🌟
👏🇪🇸😊 # familyfirstnurseries

21/09/2026

🦖 Dinosaur Sensory World! 🦕

Today, our Hungry Caterpillars eagerly explored a dinosaur-themed sensory table! We created a variety of textures to encourage the children to touch, feel and explore different materials associated with the dinosaur world.

The sensory table included sand, rocks and soft fabrics, providing lots of opportunities for the children to investigate using their hands and engage their senses. The children showed great curiosity as they explored the different textures and discovered new ways to interact with the materials.

To complement our activity, we also enjoyed reading That’s Not My Dinosaur. The story encouraged the children to talk about the different textures they could see and feel in the book, making connections between the story and their sensory experiences at the table. As they explored, the children shared their thoughts and observations, supporting their language and communication skills.

The experience also encouraged social and emotional development, as the children interacted with one another, shared resources and practised taking turns. Their curiosity and imagination were sparked as they created their own dinosaur adventures through play.

We saw lots of joy, excitement and discovery as our Hungry Caterpillars immersed themselves in this hands-on dinosaur experience. 🦕🌿

This activity supported learning across several areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), particularly Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development, and Understanding the World

17/09/2026

🎉🌟 A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO PHOEBE & EMILY! 🌟🎉

We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate Phoebe and Emily on achieving their Level 3 qualification with DISTINCTION! 🏆✨

This fantastic achievement is a true reflection of the hard work, dedication, commitment and determination they have shown throughout their journey. 📚💪

There have undoubtedly been challenges along the way, but they continued to push themselves, stay focused and give their very best — and their incredible results are proof that all that effort has paid off! ❤️

Achieving a Distinction at Level 3 is something to be extremely proud of. It takes not only talent and ability, but also perseverance, discipline and a willingness to keep learning and improving. Phoebe and Emily have demonstrated all of these qualities throughout their studies. 👏🌟

We couldn't be prouder of everything you have achieved and the journey you have taken to get here. You should both take a moment to celebrate just how far you've come and recognise the incredible amount of work that has gone into this success. 🎓🥳

Phoebe & Emily — you have absolutely smashed it! 💫

Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, and here’s to all the exciting opportunities and successes that lie ahead. Keep believing in yourselves, keep working hard and keep aiming high! 🚀❤️

Well done, girls — your hard work and dedication have truly paid off! 🏆🎓👏

15/09/2026

🌟 OPEN DAY AT PLAY AWAY DAY NURSERY! 🌟

Are you looking for a nursery place for your child using 30 Hours Funded Childcare? 🧸💛

Come and visit us this Saturday, 9am–1pm! 🕘

🏡 Have a look around our nursery
👩‍🏫 Meet our experienced and friendly staff team
💬 Have a chat with us about your child’s needs
🎨 See the wonderful learning and play opportunities we offer

We’d love to welcome you and show you what makes Play Away Day Nursery a special place for children to learn, grow and have fun! 🌈

No need to miss out — come along and see us this Saturday!

📍 Play Away Day Nursery
⏰ Saturday | 9am–1pm

We look forward to meeting you! 💕

08/09/2026

🏆🌟 EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH! 🌟🏆
A huge well done to Jenna! 🎉👏💐

Jenna has been a massive support over the last 9 months and has truly settled into Totton so well! 💕🥰

The children and parents in Hungry Caterpillars have really got to know Jenna, and she has become such a valued and familiar face within our setting. 🐛❤️👧👦

We are so grateful for all your hard work, dedication and the positive energy you bring every day! 🌈✨

Congratulations, Jenna — you absolutely deserve it! 🥳🏆💐

Keep shining! 🌟💖

08/09/2026

Today, the Hungry Caterpillars enjoyed exploring and playing with play dough. The children used their hands and fingers to squeeze, squash, roll, pinch and manipulate the dough, supporting their Physical Development.

Playing with play dough helps to strengthen the small muscles in children's hands and fingers, developing their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and control. These skills are important for future activities such as holding pencils, using scissors, dressing independently and completing everyday tasks.

The activity also supported the children's Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED). The children enjoyed playing alongside and with their friends, sharing the play dough and tools, and communicating their ideas. They practised taking turns, cooperating and building positive relationships with others. Playing together also encouraged the children to develop confidence and express themselves.

EYFS Links:

Physical Development:
Children develop their fine motor skills, hand strength, coordination and control through squeezing, rolling, pinching and shaping the play dough.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
Children learn to play cooperatively, share resources, take turns and build positive relationships with their peers and adults.

It was wonderful to see the Hungry Caterpillars exploring creatively, developing their physical skills and enjoying social interactions with their friends!

Play Away Day Nursery Totton

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

22/09/2026

22/09/2026

21/09/2026

17/09/2026

15/09/2026

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

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