Bright Horizons Families UK

Loneliness can affect anyone.

The term is often characterised as 'being alone', but a more accurate interpretation is when you feel that you haven't had a genuine connection with anyone. It's quite common to feel lonely in a house full of flatmates, especially if you weren't friends to begin with. Whether you're living on your own or with others, here are some ways to beat the blues and make a real connection.

Learn more here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/additional-resources/health-and-wellbeing/tips-for-dealing-with-loneliness

Is your home looking like it needs a little TLC? Our activity cards demonstrate how even the most mundane of jobs around the house can be transformed into fun learning activities for little ones!

The team at Otterbourne bought the community together with a festive visit to their local care home. 💛🌟🎅🎄☃️

https://www.facebook.com/105830991219059/posts/687157436419742/

Do you want to build a snowman? The children at Tunbridge Wells did! ⛄❄️☃️

https://www.facebook.com/378913749215970/posts/1543716316069035/

The children at Chineham Park have written their Christmas cards to Santa Claus! 🎅✉️

https://www.facebook.com/991134311027826/posts/2486441768163732/

The babies at St Swithin have been experimenting with Christmas baubles. 🎄

https://www.facebook.com/StSwithinNursery/photos/a.648979225828097/1188031055256242/?type=3

🎄Christmas Baubles...

Our babies have shown great interest in balls recently. Key workers have followed this by inviting the children to participate in various experiences in which they could observe the balls rolling and bouncing.

The festivities have been incorporated into this interest as the children have used their hand- eye co-ordination to place 'baubles' on the Christmas tree.

Have you made your mince pies for Mr Claus yet? Here's our recipe, just in the 'St Nick' of time! 🎅🧑‍🎄🎄❄️☃️🛷

'Christmas meets science' at Didsbury Day Nursery and Preschool! ❄️🎄🧑‍🎄

https://www.facebook.com/249881425547086/posts/1418416685360215/

When it comes to family planning, there is no one-size-fits all approach. How you navigate the process is entirely up to you and your partner (if applicable). However, it always helps to get a head start! Remember, there are plenty of resources available to help at every turn, from friends, family and colleagues to experts of all varieties, we hope ours is a helpful addition.

Learn more here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/additional-resources/health-and-wellbeing/planning-for-a-family-male-perspective

The team at Southborough Springfield Road recently hosted their own Christmas market!

https://www.facebook.com/108871437281790/posts/683870963115165/

The children at Leeds have been getting into the festive spirit! 🎅🌟⛄

https://www.facebook.com/855620637974154/posts/2278971035639100/

Need some help with the laundry? Maybe our sock-sorting activity could encourage your little one to chip in? 🧦

Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Light, celebrated over 8 days to remember the miracle of the temple light that burned for 8 days on just one day’s oil. The first day of Hanukkah is on 25th of Kislev, a date in the Jewish lunar calendar.

This year, the festival commences at sundown on Sunday 18th December and ends in the evening of Monday 26th December.

We wish a Happy Hanukkah to all!

Christmas treats needn't consist of only chocolate and sweets... our fruity Christmas trees are a fantastic alternative - they look great and they taste great too!

Have you started singing Christmas songs in your home? Has your little one wanted to join in?! With our musical shakers activity - they can! Use this carousel to prepare the activity, knowing you can extend their learning by following our tips. 🎶🎵

These mini strawberry Santas are so easy to make, and super cute too! 🍓🎅

After all those months of waiting to meet your new baby, emotions can run high and some fathers will become overwhelmed and can develop postnatal depression.

Learn more here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/additional-resources/health-and-wellbeing/daddys-got-the-baby-blues

We want to give a huge congratulations to our Christmas card competition winner: Amelia, aged 3! 🙌

Amelia’s cute and colourful rainbow penguin received the most votes from nursery parents and Bright Horizons colleagues. 🌈🐧 There were almost 250 card entries this year, and over 550 votes across our social accounts. Thank you all for making this year’s competition one to remember.

Happy Christmas!

Who is Candy Floss? The team at Woodford Woodlands explains...

https://www.facebook.com/760711177470083/posts/2123865627821291/

Not sure what to do this weekend? What about making gingerbread people with your little one?

Does your child worry and feel anxious about certain situations? It can be hard to know how to support them; how do we value their worries without giving them power?

Our article shares five ideas to help manage and respond to their worries: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/blog/2021/01/managing-worries-and-anxieties

A christmas tuff tray from Weybridge nursery! 🎅⛄❄️🎄💛

https://www.facebook.com/WeybridgeDayNursery/photos/a.6148159515208008/6217038818320077/?type=3

Christmas tuff tray decoration and counting

A growing number of people have found themselves caring for, and sandwiched between, two generations over the past few years. Our carousel shares top tips to ease financial stress in those positions.

https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/additional-resources/ageing-parents-and-elderly-relatives/sandwich-generation-of-working-parents

The children at North Cheam were surprised to see what the cheeky elves had been up to at nursery! 🎄

https://www.facebook.com/763672167152831/posts/2052980351555333/

The children at Weybridge have been enjoying festive activities. ❄️🎄🌟

https://www.facebook.com/WeybridgeDayNursery/photos/a.6148159515208008/6211954948828464/?type=3

Christmas creativity exploring different materials to create a Christmas tree

There's no doubt about it, it's COLD. But how can you use this cold weather to create an imaginative and fun learning experience for your little one? ❄️

Our ice sculptures activity is here to help!

Encourage a love of language with your little one through our Letter Charades activity!

The children at Fair Oak have been getting into the swing of the World Cup! ⚽

https://www.facebook.com/101028601679526/posts/657769192672128/

The children at Forest Park Bracknell have been enjoying their book advent calendar.

https://www.facebook.com/1996035920665321/posts/3358974811038085/

A new Bright Space opens in West Yorkshire

Bright Horizons Foundation for Children - Europe have opened a Bright Space with West Yorkshire Police. This is now the 88th Bright Space that the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children has opened and it's the 17th that has now been installed in a police authority ABE suite.

Learn more about it here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/about/newsroom/2022/12/bright-space-west-yorkshire

A new Bright Space opens in West Yorkshire Bright Horizons Foundation for Children today opened a Bright Space with West Yorkshire Police.

Our 'Find it and Describe it' activity is super easy to set up using toys your little one already has. By introducing new words to your child's vocabularly and bringing the creatures to life, you'll be supporting their learning whilst playing together!

Within many families, there can be different views and difficult conversations about how much screen time is appropriate. It can lead to arguments and a lot of ill-feeling, and so the following tips are about establishing rules and a sustainable way to get - and keep - things under control.

Read our full article here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/additional-resources/work-and-teens/screen-time-under-control

It's that time of year, the time that we need YOUR help to determine our official Bright Horizons Christmas Card for 2022! 🥳🎄🌟

Comment below with the number of your favourite festive design. Tag friends and family for their votes too! 💛

You have until midday on 8th December to cast your vote. ⏰

From almost 250 incredible designs, we've shortlisted these amazing finalists, but a huge thank you to all of the children for sending in their beautiful creations.

Our finalists are:

1 - Harvey, aged 3
2 - Chloe, aged 3
3 - Cordelia, aged 2
4 - Caleb, aged 3
5 - Roha, aged 4
6 - Amelia, aged 3

GET VOTING! ❄️🦌⛄🎅🎄

We know that finances are an ongoing concern as the rise in cost of living continues to affects us all. We hope these tips offer advice that could support your household.

Learn more here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/blog/2021/01/super-savvy-spending

Have you been watching the World Cup? The children at Sidcup have been learning all about it! ⚽

https://www.facebook.com/102806197896961/posts/686125032898405/

If you love a good sing-along, our podcast is for you! 🎵🎶

Our Director of Early Childhood, Caroline, discusses the importance of singing with your little one. Making music and singing rhymes all support their literacy development, no matter how silly you get. No X Factor needed for these activities! 🎙️

Listen here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/podcasts/early-years-podcast-episode-4-literacy-through-music

It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

On behalf of Bright Horizons UK, we send our heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family. Her Majesty served the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth with distinction for over 70 years and has been an inspiration for many around the world. We are grateful for her decades of public service.

The loss of a loved one is a difficult time for every family. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.

In our third podcast, Amanda discusses how music can improve your child’s wellbeing. Singing songs together, banging on drums and waving their hands in the air can help children understand and express their emotions, recall memories and develop self-regulation.

Listen to the full podcast here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/podcasts/early-years-podcast-episode-3-music-and-wellbeing

Episode 3 - Music and Wellbeing

In our third Early Years podcast, Amanda discusses how music can improve your child’s wellbeing. Singing songs together, banging on drums and waving their hands in the air can help children understand and express their emotions, recall memories and develop self-regulation. 🎶🎵

Listen to the full podcast here: https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-zone/family-resources/podcasts/early-years-podcast-episode-3-music-and-wellbeing

Episode 3 - Music and Wellbeing Our early childhood specialist Amanda discusses how music can improve your child’s wellbeing.

We'd love your feedback! ⭐💛

Please ask the nursery manager for your link to our parent survey to share your valued feedback about us anonymously. 😊

The week it's employee appreciation week across Bright Horizons UK. 😍

It's an opportunity to say thank you to the incredible people within the Bright Horizons family. If you'd like to say thank you to your nursery team, share your comments below! 💛😃

Musicality: The Importance of Music in the Early Years

One of our Early Childhood Specialists, Amanda Forrest, tells us of her recent visit to Warrington Day Nursery and Preschool and what they’ve been doing to encourage musicality, along with a few ideas to try at home. 🎶🎵

https://brighthorizons.co.uk/family-resources/blog/2021/09/Musicality

Musicality: The Importance of Music in the Early Years One of our Early Childhood Specialists, Amanda Forrest, tells us of her recent visit to Warrington Day Nursery and Preschool and what they’ve been doing to encourage musicality, along with a few ideas to try at home…

Dressing Your Toddler – the Trials and Tribulations of Genderfication

If your little one doesn't like blue or pink, if dinosaur motifs are too 'scary' 🦖🦕 or flowers prints are too 'smelly' 🌷🌹🌺, then finding an outfit to accommodate their tastes can be a challenge…

Our blog discusses the trials and tribulations of genderfication when it comes to toddler clothing: https://brighthorizons.co.uk/family-resources/blog/2021/08/Fashion-conscious-toddlers

Dressing Your Toddler – the Trials and Tribulations of Genderfication If your little one doesn't like blue or pink, if dinosaur motifs are too 'scary' or flowers prints are too 'smelly', then finding an outfit to accommodate their tastes can be a challenge…

Masks can make familiar people unrecognisable and contributes to stranger anxiety – a familiar person now appears to be a totally new and unknown person. To help children with their questions or concerns, we have created this resource to help them navigate through this time. 😷

https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/family-resources/play-and-learning/Games/candy-floss-facemasks