States Early Years Team

31/08/2026

Summer Screen Time Swap #19 - Indoor Obstacle Course

Need an idea to keep your little one busy this Bank Holiday? Why not try and build your own obstacle course. You can use everyday objects from around the house to help create your course. You could:
- use cushions for balancing or jumping between
- use large carboard boxes to crawl through
- make the washing basket a target to throw some balls in
- create a goal and use a balloon to score
- use chairs and tables to crawl under or over

29/08/2026

If your little one is starting school or nursery CBeebies have a whole range of games, songs and age appropriate TV programmes to help your and your child prepare for the big day. Check it out!

For kids starting primary school, or heading back to school after the holidays, it can be hard settling into a new routine, making new friends, homework, learning how to read and count – even trying new food. Explore this page to find lots of information, support and guidance on what to expect as ...

28/08/2026

Keeping young children busy when you are waiting at the doctors, sitting in a cafe or travelling can be really difficult and it may be a time where some families choose to use screens.
We have put together a list of some of our favourite things to take out and about to keep toddlers busy as an alternative to screens. 🚕🧸🚂
1. Books - pack your child's favourite story or even a selection of mini books. Children love taking them in and out of the box and looking at them again and again.
2. Stacking cups, blocks or garages like the one in the picture can provide lots of entertainment - building towers, knocking them down and starting again.
3. Paper and pencils - making marks on paper is a great way for children to practice their skills before they can draw and write.
4. A collection of their favourite things, e.g. a bag of dinosaurs, selection of animals, a box of cars or some small world people. Young toddlers will enjoy taking items out of bags/boxes and refilling them. Older children might enjoy making up stories and pretending.
5. Fiddle/fidget toys like the lock and keys in the picture will keep children busy exploring the objects and using their problem solving skills.

These are just a few of our ideas. We would love to hear what are your favourite things to keep your little one busy when out and about?

25/08/2026

Did you know that experts recommend children begin potty training between 18 months and 2.5 years. Check out this post from Best Start in Life for top tips and advice around potty training your little one. https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/toddler/potty-training-your-child/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT6OoZwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5u1JXLHTtoh6EDu4Q3DIDHleStUQ3UvbVja8XG_X3U1vX-zuFRk5Zn9nKL8w_aem_0m10hiQSTLAT9Duy4P0WWA

25/08/2026

Such a fantastic partnership with Early Years settings in Guernsey and the Guernsey Dairy.

If you are a local business and would like to sponsor a setting please contact Guernsey Dairy for more information 🥛

🥛 Happy milk moments at Little Cottage Nursery 🥛

Milk time has become a much-loved part of the day for children at Little Cottage Nursery, bringing together healthy habits, learning and lots of smiles.

Some of our favourite comments from the children include:

💬 “I like having it with my cereal.” – Melody
💬 “I love cows. My daddy has cows!” – Theo
💬 “Papa makes me a milkshake.” – Freddie
💬 “I drink it and then I go to bed!” – Millie

The nursery team say the Milk for Schools programme has been a fantastic way to encourage healthy eating and conversations about where food comes from.

A huge thank you to Collenette Jones for sponsoring Little Cottage Nursery and helping these children enjoy the benefits of fresh milk every day. 🐄❤️

22/08/2026

Summer Screen Time Swap #17 - Parent Tip!

DIY car track. Why not try making your own car track out of house hold objects. Cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes, Pringle tubes and masking tape are all great for creating ramps, slides, garages and parking spaces. You can even draw on road markings and road signs.

We would love to see your creations. Pop a picture below to share your ideas with other families.

19/08/2026

Summer Screen Time Swap #16 - Parent Tip!!!

Use paints or chalks to decorate pebbles then use them while you play. One family we spoke to loves to decorate pebbles like cakes and then the children "bake" them in the play kitchen. Don't worry if you haven't got a play kitchen at home. Just use a card board box as your oven. What else can you use your pebbles for?????
Cars 🚕
Road signs ⛔
Food for a teddy bears picnic 🧸
Flowers 🌸
?

17/08/2026

Summer Screen Time Swap #16 - Parent Tip!!!

Make a potion! Preschool children will love collecting magical things to go in a potion. Find an empty jam jar or bottle and collect flowers, leaves, moss, pebbles to mix together. Use you imaginations, think about the magical qualities these items have. Perhaps a pink flower can make us fly or a slimy leaf will make it rain. It's up to you 💫

16/08/2026

Summer Screen Time Swap #15 - Parent Tip!!! 🚜

Many of the parents we spoke to all agreed that their little ones love watching real diggers, tractors and cranes. For a bit of free entertainment find a safe spot to watch large vehicles at work. This could be near to home or why not take a trip to Les Vardes Quarry for the Wind in the Willows Trail.

14/08/2026

Summer Screen Time Swap - #14 Parent Tip!!!

Here is another super idea from a parent we spoke to in the park.

Make you own musical band. If you have some musical instruments at home let your child explore these and play along with some music. Don't worry if you haven't got any instruments you can use pots, pans, boxes, kitchen utensils etc. to play along to a beat.

Did you know that learning to tap/clap/bang in time with the music can actually support pre reading skills?