Tag Archive for: nature

Rough Guide to Free Childcare Through Universal Credit

Today we explain who is eligible, what funding is available and how to claim free childcare through Universal Credit.Universal Credit provides essential financial support to individuals and families in the UK, particularly those who are on low incomes, are jobless or are unable to work. One crucial aspect of this support is childcare funding. In today’s detailed guide, we will delve into the details of free childcare through Universal Credit, explain who is eligible, what funding is available to those who are, how to claim, and more.

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is a Government welfare benefit that was introduced to streamline the support available to eligible individuals and families. Its primary goal is to provide financial assistance to those who need it, taking into account various aspects of an individual or family’s financial situation.

Without getting too bogged down in unnecessary detail here, Universal Credit is thus named because it is replacing several existing benefits, including Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (‘JSA’), Child Tax Credit, and others. Today, however, we’ll focus purely on the childcare funding element.

Who is Eligible for Childcare Funding Through Universal Credit?

Childcare funding through Universal Credit is primarily intended for parents on low incomes.Childcare funding through Universal Credit is primarily intended for parents on low incomes who require childcare services to either maintain current employment, increase working hours, or transition into paid work within a month. Eligibility caveats for you — and your partner if you have one — include the following:

  • Except for a few exceptions, you usually both have to be in paid work, or have an offer of paid work for a position starting within a month.
  • Earnings and income must fall within specific thresholds to qualify.
  • The childcare provider you use must be officially registered/approved by OFSTED or equivalent.
  • You must be living in the UK.
  • You must be 18 or over, although there are exceptions for some aged 16 or 17.
  • You should be below State Pension age.
  • You must jointly have no more than £16k in savings or investments.
  • The child(ren) for whom you are applying must be below the age of 17 (eligibility ends at the end of the August following their 16th birthday).

How Much Childcare Funding Can You Get Through Universal Credit?

The amount of childcare funding available through Universal Credit varies according to your individual circumstances. Generally speaking, though, Universal Credit can cover up to 85% of your childcare costs as follows:

The maximum available for one child is £950.92 per month;
The maximum available for 2 or more is £1,630.15 per month.

(Correct at date of publishing, late September 2023).

What Can the Childcare Funding be Used For?

Universal Credit childcare funding can be used for various childcare services, so long as they're properly registered.Universal Credit childcare funding can be used for various childcare services, so long as they’re properly registered (e.g. with OFSTED or their equivalent in Wales and Scotland). Permitted types of childcare provision include:

  • Nurseries: Licensed nurseries that provide care and early education for young children.
  • Childminders: Individuals registered to provide childcare services in their homes.
  • After-School Clubs: Organised programmes that offer care and activities for school-age children after school hours.
  • Holiday Clubs: Similar to after-school clubs but available during school holidays.
  • Preschools: Educational settings for children aged up to 5.
  • Approved Childcare Providers: Some approved providers outside traditional settings may also be eligible for funding.

As well as funding standard nursery/preschool-type childcare sessions that allow you to work, the funding can also be used for other types of childcare provision that will help you transition back into work. It can potentially fund settling-in sessions before work to help your child transition into a new childcare setting, childcare provision for your child while you commute to your job, childcare required because of changing work patterns as part of a zero-hours contract, and childcare provision during the month following the loss of a job.

Caveats:

You cannot claim Universal Credit for Childcare at the same time as:

Tax credits
Tax-Free Childcare

How to Claim Your Childcare Costs Via Universal Credit

Except in special circumstances, you need to pay childcare costs up front and then claim back the eligible part of it through the scheme.Except in special circumstances, you will need to pay for your childcare up front and then claim back the eligible part of it through the scheme. To successfully make your claim, you’ll typically need to:

  • Keep records of your childcare provider’s registration number and contact details.
  • Document your childcare costs with receipts or invoices.
  • Provide evidence of your work or job offers.
  • Claim within 2 months (latest) of incurring the childcare costs otherwise you may miss out.
  • Regularly update the Universal Credit system with any changes in your childcare situation.
  • To get started, apply for your online Universal Credits account here.

More information is available through the official Government website or via the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

Nursery Places at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, Edgbaston, Birmingham

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne & Smethwick, B16Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.At Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery in Edgbaston, we support all Government-funded childcare schemes so, even if you don’t qualify for free childcare support through Universal Credit, you may qualify for one or more of the alternative childcare funding schemes. These are there to help families with affordability, which nowadays is more important than ever. Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery offers a first-class childcare and early education service for babies, toddlers and preschoolers under five, offering them the very best start in life in a warm, nurturing environment. If you would like to explore the possibility of your child having a place at Leaps & Bounds, please do get in touch using one of the following options:

Rated as a Good Provider of childcare and early education by OFSTED, Leaps and Bounds is a nursery/preschool located in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick. We also operate our own Forest School, enabling children to benefit from everything that nature has to offer.

Information in this guide is given in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of writing (late September 2023). Please check the Government website for the most up-to-date information.

Predicting Your Baby's Eye Colour: Fact vs. Fiction

While a large proportion of babies in Northern Europe are born initially with blue or grey eyes, this is not the case worldwide.As new parents, there’s an endless array of incredible moments you’ll experience as your baby grows. One of the most mesmerising changes to witness is the transformation of their eye colour. Those initial weeks of gazing into your baby’s eyes might reveal shades like brown, blue or grey, but have you ever wondered why those initial hues often defy expectations and evolve into a completely different colour? In this article, we’re going to delve into the enchanting world of baby eye colour changes to unravel the science and magic behind this captivating phenomenon.

Eye Colour

Phenomena known as the 'Tyndall effect' and 'Rayleigh scattering' also have some effect on eye colour.For the purpose of this article, eye colour refers to the appearance of the iris, the coloured ring immediately surrounding the eye’s pupil. The iris is like a diaphragm that controls how much light can enter the eye at any given moment.

While pigmentation of the iris governs most of our perception of eye colour, phenomena known as the ‘Tyndall effect’ and ‘Rayleigh scattering’ also have some effect on eye colour. Without getting too technical, that’s all about how light is scattered. To keep things simple, think of it as akin to why the sky is blue.

Let’s Bust the Blue Eye Myth

While it may be true that a good proportion of babies in Northern Europe are born initially with blue or grey eyes, this is not the case worldwide. Indeed, estimates suggest that brown eyes are by far the most common eye colour in infancy when looked at globally. Blue is, however, the next most common.

So, How Does Baby Eye Colour Work?

Estimates suggest that brown eyes are by far the most common eye colour in infancy when looked at globally.Generally, nature is often guided by the principle of adaptation in order to optimise survival. The evolution of eye colour is no exception. In regions with high levels of sunlight, such as near the equator, darker eye colours are more prevalent. This is due to the increased need for protection against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays —with dark irises like brown ones having more protection than lighter irises, like blue, grey, or green. As humans migrated across different environments back in ancient times, changes in eye colour are likely to have provided advantages in terms of UV protection as part of adaptation to new habitats. The pigmentation and UV protection are accomplished through something called melanin.

Pigmentation: The Melanin Effect

The gradual transformation of baby eyes is closely tied to the production of melanin, a protein that’s secreted by a particular type of cell, called a melanocyte. The visible result is a pigment that’s responsible for colouring various aspects of our bodies, including skin, hair and, as it turns out, eye colour. As babies grow and their exposure to light increases, the production of melanin begins to intensify. This pigment infusion leads to subtle changes to the hue, gradually steering the eyes toward other colour shades. For example, eyes that start off in the newborn child as grey or blue may indeed eventually become something quite different, for example, green, hazel, or brown, as more melanin pigmentation is formed. It’s quite magical to see in such a small infant.

The Role of Genetics

Genetics also play a significant role in a child's eventual eye colour.While the colour journey is strongly affected by the melanin effect, genetics also play a significant role in laying the groundwork. While predicting eye colour solely on the eye colour of parents offers a fair estimation, eye colour inheritance is really a much more complex thing. At a cellular level, it involves one specific chromosome that affects iris colour and multiple genes, which control aspects like the initial amount of melanin in a newborn’s eyes and how the melanocyte cells behave in respect to further melanin production. With genes being passed to the child from both parents as well as the parents’ ancestors, the child’s final eye colour is not easy to 100% predict based purely on parental eye colour. Indeed, eye colour can sometimes ‘skip’ generations and surprise us all!

Blue eyes are the result of a unique genetic makeup. It’s thought that a mutation in a gene called OCA2 in a single common ancestor 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, is responsible for this striking trait in all humans with blue eyes today.

How Long Does it Take?

The most remarkable shifts in eye colour tend to take place between the ages of six to nine months. By this time, the iris possesses sufficient pigment to offer a clearer glimpse of what the final eye colour is likely to be. Irises of infants can change colour up to about the age of three years old before it is fairly permanent. However, they can continue to change subtly throughout adolescence and early adulthood due to ongoing melanin production.

Heterochromia

Heterochromia is a condition where a person has two different coloured eyes or two different colours in one eye.Heterochromia is a rare condition, affecting less than 1% of people, where an individual has two different coloured eyes or two different colours in one eye. It can be genetic or caused by injury, disease, or medications.

We’ve learnt that the evolution of eye colour in infants is a captivating story of genetics, adaptation, and heritage. As parents, we have a front-row seat to this intriguing transformation, gaining fascinating insights into elements of human evolution, survival and the broader narrative of life’s journey on the planet.

Your High-Quality Nursery & Preschool in Edgbaston, Birmingham

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne & Smethwick, B16Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.This article was brought to you by Leaps & Bounds, a nursery and preschool offering high-quality weekday childcare and early years education in Edgbaston, near Birmingham. If you have a baby or child under five and live or work in the area, why not consider us for your childcare needs? Ofsted rates us as a Good Provider, so you know your child is in good hands, and we also support all Government-funded childcare schemes for eligible families.  We may also be a convenient choice for those near Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick. To register your child for a place, discuss the possibility, arrange a tour or simply to ask any questions, please get in touch using one of the following options:

 

A Fun Guide to Composting for Kids - Let’s Get Composting!

Young environmental enthusiasts and parents — welcome to the exciting eco-adventure that is composting! Composting is a fantastic way to turn food scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil that helps plants grow big and strong. In this guide, we’ll explore the wonderful world of composting, explain how to set up your compost area and highlight the amazing benefits it brings to your family, garden, wildlife and the environment.

The Magic & Science of Composting

Composting is like a fantastic magic show happening right in your garden! But instead of a magician, tiny creatures called decomposers work their magic. Tiny bacteria feast on the kitchen scraps and leaves, breaking them down into smaller pieces with the help of enzymes that are released. Fungi also have special powers to break down tough materials like wood and turn them into compost. As the decomposers work their magic, they will eventually create something called humus, which is like gold for the soil!Wiggly worms and other minibeasts also love to munch on the decomposed scraps, breaking them down into smaller and smaller pieces.

As these decomposers work their magic, they will eventually create something called humus. Fully-formed humus is dark, crumbly, and filled with nutrients that plants love. It is also the Latin word for soil. When you spread the humus around your garden, it’s like giving your plants a fantastic, nutritious meal. They grow big, strong, and healthy, thanks to the compost magic!

Getting Started

To begin composting, you’ll need a composting area. You have a few options:

A wire composter is an easy option, so long as adults can ensure there are no sharp edges that could hurt people and wildlife.Palettes or Spare Wood: Families can build a simple compost bin using palettes or spare wood. This creates a cosy space for your compost to break down. Ensure there are gaps between wood slats, so that minibeasts can come and go as they please.

Wire Composter: A wire composter is an easy option, so long as adults can ensure there are no sharp edges that might hurt children, themselves and wildlife. This option is like a big basket that keeps your compost in one place.

Commercial Composters: You can also buy special composting bins from stores. These are convenient and keep everything tidy. However, they’re not as much fun as you’ll miss out on the composter creation part of the activity!

What Goes In?

Now that you have your composting area ready, it’s time to start composting! You can add things like:

  • Fruit and vegetable scraps, crushed egg shells, smaller pieces of garden waste and tea/coffee grounds are perfect for composting.Fruit and vegetable scraps — those banana peels, apple cores and carrot tops are perfect for composting.
  • Eggshells — after you enjoy your breakfast or lunch eggs, crush the shells to help them break down faster and add them to the compost.
  • Coffee grounds and tea bags — if your household makes real coffee, save the used coffee grounds for the compost bin. Similarly, tea bags can go in, but be sure to remove staples, which some tea bags have to attach their ‘tag’ to a string.
  • Garden waste — leaves, grass clippings, and small plant trimmings can also join the compost party.
  • Shredded paper and cardboard — if they have no glossy or coloured ink and do not have plastic lamination (they should tear easily if not), these can go in too.

What Stays Out?

Composting is magical, but some things just don’t belong in the compost bin. Never add:

  • In dry weather, it helps to water the compost heap to keep it moist.Meat, seafood and dairy — keep these out as they can attract pests and make your compost smell unpleasant.
  • Oily or greasy food items — don’t include these as they don’t compost well.
  • Pet waste — never add this as it might contain harmful bacteria.
  • Plastic, glass or metal — only natural stuff can become compost, so no plastic wrappers, glass or metal cans should go into the composter.
  • Diseased plant material — keep this out of the composter otherwise it could spread diseases to healthy plants.

3 Composting Tips for Kids:

  1. Decorating the outside of the composter with colourful drawings or paintings will add another creative facet to this children's activity.Become a compost hero by helping collect kitchen scraps. Ask parents for a special container to store things like fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and eggshells. Once it’s full, take it to the compost bin with a big smile, knowing you’re making a difference!
  2. Get parents to help turn over the rotting compost occasionally with a spade or fork, or to supervise children doing it if they’re old and strong enough. Mixing everything up helps the compost break down faster. It’s like giving compost a good stir to make it even yummier for the plants!
  3. Why not decorate the composter? Children could turn it into an art project! Ask parents’ permission to decorate the outside of the composter with colourful drawings or paintings. Make it look like a happy home for all those minibeasts and decomposers living inside.

The Big Reveal

Composting takes time, just like growing your favourite plants. You have to be patient and wait for the magic to happen. After a few weeks or months, it’s time to unveil the finished compost! Your compost will look dark and crumbly, and it will smell earthy – like the scent of fresh soil after the rain. This is the moment when you realise you’ve been nurturing something incredible!

The Superpowers of Compost

Composting has amazing benefits for everyone:

Various minibeasts, such as insects, worms, and grubs, will eventually call the compost heap home.For Your Family — Composting not only teaches children about nature, recycling, and caring for the environment but is also a wonderful opportunity to observe and learn about the various minibeasts, such as insects, worms, and grubs, that call the compost home. It’s like having a little ecosystem in your garden!

For Your Garden — The finished compost becomes a valuable resource for your garden! When you spread that nutrient-rich compost around your plants, it’s like giving them a delicious and nutritious meal. Plants love compost because it helps them grow big, strong, and healthy. So, by composting, you’re not just reducing waste; you’re also creating a superfood for your garden!

For the Environment — When we compost, we help reduce the amount of rubbish that goes to landfills. Less waste means a happier, healthier planet for plants, animals, and all of us. Additionally, composting conserves water and reduces the need for harmful chemical fertilisers, making it beneficial for the entire ecosystem. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

Congratulations on embarking on the composting journey, young environmentalists and parents alike! With this newfound knowledge, you can work together as a family to make our planet greener and cleaner. Happy composting!

A Nursery & Forest School in Edgbaston, Birmingham

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood & Harborne B16Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.Leaps & Bounds is officially a ‘Good’ nursery & preschool, offering high-quality childcare in Edgbaston, near Birmingham. With an interest in nature, we have our own Forest School too, giving little ones access to outdoor play, exploration and learning. We provide children with a wonderful early years education in all areas of the EYFS and much more, so they’re set up well for success once they leave us to begin school around the age of five.

To register your child for a place, book in for a guided tour with your child, or ask a question, please simply get in touch:

Leaps & Bounds is a nursery and preschool, with its own Forest School, in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick.

30 Minibeasts for Children to Look Out For (With Free Poster!)

Today’s post is all about this wonderful new minibeasts poster for children to download. It’s free and features 30 small creatures that children, including under-fives, can try to spot when they’re out and about. It’s a great introduction to just some of the thousands of minibeast species found throughout Britain. In a typical year, children should indeed be able to spot many of the minibeasts we show, as they’re mostly quite common. Printing the poster out for them, either as A3 for display or reduced to A4 for them to take on outings, is a great way to encourage them to take an interest in nature and The Great Outdoors. As we’ve said before, spending time around nature is extremely beneficial to children, as is outdoor play, so this is a very worthwhile and beneficial children’s activity. It is fun, interesting, educational, supports the EYFS curriculum, and a whole lot more. Read on to learn how to quickly and easily download the free poster for your child.

Download the Free Minibeasts Poster

Right-click the preview image below or this link and you can then save a high-resolution version of the poster. Once the file is saved, open it in Acrobat Reader to view it on screen and, from there, you will be able to print it out for your child. Some browsers also allow you to view the PDF on screen by left-clicking, however, availability of this option will depend on your device set-up and browser settings.

Preview of the Minibeasts Poster for children. To download it, see instructions above.

About Minibeasts

Although there are differing definitions of minibeasts, think of them simply as small creatures for the purposes of this activity and poster. We’ve featured 30 fairly common minibeasts that we think are most likely to be spotted by children and families. Indeed, many will be present from time to time in people’s gardens if you know where and when to look (that’s perhaps a topic for another separate guide in due course). Examples include beetles, worms, bees, moths, woodlice, ants, millipedes, larvae and many more. Note that we’ve only included one image for each, so be aware that those you or your child spot may not look exactly the same as shown. After all, there are as many as 25,000 species of minibeast in the UK and we couldn’t feature them all! So, take a look at the poster and encourage children to get minibeast-spotting, under suitable supervision of course, when they’re next playing outdoors. It’s a fun, free, and educational activity!

Look, Don’t Touch!

Teach Respect & Empathy for Wildlife

Remember to supervise children, especially the very young, for the sake of their safety and that of the minibeasts too. Each minibeast is an individual, with its own feelings, needs and the right to get on with its life peacefully. With that in mind, remember to teach children to respect all other creatures and to “look but don’t touch”. They’re busy little beings, going about their business, and no doubt do not want to be disturbed or manhandled — they’re very delicate too. Kindness, respect, care and empathy are wonderful lessons to teach children.

A tip is to perhaps get children to give each minibeast they spot a name. For example, Brian for a bee, Sally for a spider, or Wally for a worm. This reinforces the message that each one is an individual in their own right.

Our Forest School Programme at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, Edgbaston

Children at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery in Edgbaston also get to benefit from our Forest School programme. With a focus on nature, this gives children under five the chance to learn and benefit from spending time in the natural environment locally. As well as learning about the world around them, it teaches them about other creatures, plants, trees, the seasons, life cycles, food chains and, most importantly, about their own place in the world. Forest School is fun, educational, transformational and incredibly beneficial to children and, for this reason, we also include Forest School resources on-site at the nursery itself. This includes things like seed and plant-growing areas, where children cultivate plants and vegetables.

Your High-Quality Nursery in Edgbaston, Birmingham

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood & Harborne B16Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.Why not consider Leaps & Bounds for your child’s weekday childcare? Rated as a ‘Good Provider’ by Ofsted, we are a nursery and preschool in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, with our own Forest School. Subject, of course, to available spaces, we also accept eligible families that use Government childcare funding schemes. Register for a place, arrange a tour or ask a question and we’ll be happy to help.

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery and Preschool is located in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick.

The Big Butterfly Count - a Nature-Based Activity for Kids

The Big Butterfly Count is an exciting and worthwhile nature-themed activity to engage children this July and August.The Big Butterfly Count is an annual event that takes place each summer across the UK. Anyone can join in and it’s not just for adults — it’s perfect for children too. What’s more, it can take as little as 15 minutes. It’s an exciting and very worthwhile nature-themed activity that’s guaranteed to engage little ones. As well as getting closer to nature and to these enchanting little creatures, children can become little ‘citizen scientists’. That’s because the Big Butterfly Count gives them the opportunity to actively contribute to butterfly and nature conservation while taking part in this fun outdoor activity. In today’s article, we’ll explain how even the youngest nature enthusiasts can get involved in this inspiring event.

“Take part in the world’s largest butterfly survey — and become a citizen scientist!”

About the Big Butterfly Count

The Big Butterfly Count takes place this year from Friday 14th July to Sunday 6th August 2023, the period when the most adult butterflies can be seen. It goes beyond a simple butterfly sighting activity, though, by providing an opportunity for people of all ages, including children, to contribute to scientific research. It’s a fantastic but simple opportunity through which young minds can explore the wonders of the natural world and also make a meaningful impact. By participating, children will be helping to monitor and protect butterflies while fostering a deeper connection with nature. And, as we know, spending time in nature is incredibly beneficial to children. Engaging with nature enhances cognitive, physical, and emotional skills, allowing children to grow and learn in a holistic way. With all that in mind, let’s delve into the enchanting world of butterflies and learn how children can actively participate.

How Children Can Get Involved

“Spend 15 minutes in a sunny spot counting the butterflies you see from the list of target species, then log them in the app.”

Engaging children in the Big Butterfly Count is easier than you might think. Here’s how your little one can actively participate:

Download the App

Download the free "Big Butterfly Count" smartphone app.The phone app includes a useful butterfly identification guide along with information about each species.The organisers of the Big Butterfly Count have developed a free, user-friendly smartphone app that makes participation accessible and fun. It includes information, a butterfly identification guide, interactive features for recording sightings, and helpful resources for learning more about butterflies. The free smartphone app is available on Android and Apple IOS. Here are the download links (below):

Download the Big Butterfly Count app on Adroid.   Download the Big Butterfly Count app on Apple IOS.

Reference Material

Visit the official Big Butterfly Count website to learn more about the Big Butterfly Count and to download reference sheets. These can be printed out for children to take on butterfly-spotting sessions. They might also be useful if you/your children do not have access to a smartphone.

Visit the official Big Butterfly Count website to learn more about the Big Butterfly Count and to download the latest reference sheets for your area.
(Click for a larger view).

Butterfly Spotting

Take your child on nature walks or visits to parks, public gardens, or even your own garden or patio. A sunny spot with lots of flowers or blossom around is best. Encourage children to observe butterflies in their natural habitats (under adult supervision) and help them identify the species they encounter. However, teach them not to touch as butterflies are incredibly delicate. Depending on their age and abilities, show the children how to use the app and/or reference materials as tools for identification.

A sunny spot is best but teach children not to touch — butterflies are incredibly delicate!

Record Sightings

With the help of the app, you or your child can record their butterfly sightings and contribute to the National Butterfly Database. This data is vital for scientists and conservationists to monitor butterfly populations and understand changes in their distribution. That’s incredibly important as the UK and the wider globe have seen significant reductions in butterfly populations over recent decades.

“You can do as many Big Butterfly Counts as you like, and even if you don’t see any, that still counts too!”

Share Experiences

Encourage your child to share their butterfly encounters and counting experiences with their friends, family, and nursery peers. This sharing of knowledge and enthusiasm creates a ripple effect. Feel free to share links to this article too!

Emphasise Conservation

Discuss the importance of protecting butterflies and their habitats. Teach your child about the threats butterflies face, such as habitat loss and climate change. Encourage them to think of ways they can help, such as planting butterfly-friendly flowers or creating a mini butterfly garden.

“Once you have submitted your first Big Butterfly Count, you are officially a citizen scientist! Your sightings will help vital conservation work.”

The Magic of Butterflies

Butterflies are beautiful and incredible creatures that spark joy and wonder in people of all ages. They undergo a remarkable transformation from tiny eggs to caterpillars, then pupae, and finally emerge as magnificent butterflies. Introduce your child to the magical world of butterflies with these fascinating facts:

  • The Painted Lady butterfly migrates thousands of miles from Africa to the UK every summer.The UK is home to around 60 species of butterflies of which around 22 can be found in gardens. Each species has unique characteristics, colours, and wing patterns.
  • Butterflies play a crucial role as pollinators, transferring pollen from flower to flower as they feed on nectar. They contribute to the reproduction of plants, ensuring a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
  • Some butterfly species in the UK undertake incredible migrations, travelling hundreds or even thousands of miles. The Painted Lady butterfly, for example, migrates from Africa to the UK every summer, embarking on an extraordinary journey.

The Big Butterfly Count offers an exciting and educational opportunity for children to become involved in nature-based activities at the same time as contributing to butterfly conservation. So let’s nurture the love for butterflies and nature in our little ones, empowering them to become “little citizen scientists” and guardians of our beautiful natural world. Together, we can make a difference and inspire a lifelong connection with the wonders of the outdoors. Happy counting!

Nursery & Preschool Places in Edgbaston, near Birmingham

(& We are Also a Forest School!)

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood & Harborne B16Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.If you are searching for the best nursery or preschool place in Edgbaston, or near Birmingham, especially one that offers all the benefits of Forest School sessions in the natural environment, Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery may be just what you’re looking for. At Leaps & Bounds, children get a fabulous start in life and we prepare them well before they start school once they reach the age of five. Ofsted has awarded us ‘Good Provider’ status for our childcare and standards of early years education. We also support all Government-funded free childcare schemes. So, if you’d like to explore the possibility of your child attending Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, get in touch. Please use the appropriate button below to register your child for a place, arrange a guided tour with your child or simply ask a question. We’ll be happy to help.

Leaps & Bounds Nursery is located in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, near Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick.

25 Reasons to Choose Leaps & Bounds Nursery for Your Childcare

In today’s article, we give you 25 reasons why Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery would make an excellent choice for your child’s early education and childcare needs. What’s more, Ofsted independently back up many of them. With that in mind, we’ve included several comments from the Ofsted Inspector, who most recently inspected the setting and released her official report in April 2023. Her comments make good reading and represent useful independent feedback about the setting. What’s clear is that, if you have a baby, toddler or preschooler and live or work around the Edgbaston/Birmingham area, Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery would make an excellent choice for your childcare. Let’s take a look.

1. A ‘Good Provider’ Says Ofsted

Quality of education is good at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery and that’s official! Here’s how Ofsted graded us in their latest report (April ’23):

Overall effectivenessGood
The quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood

We’ll take a closer look at some of these below.

2. Children are Happy at Leaps & Bounds

Ofsted also confirmed that children are happy at Leaps & Bounds, commenting in their latest report that…

“Children settle quickly and are happy as they join their friends in play and learning.”

3. Parents are Happy Too

During her most recent inspection of Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, the Ofsted inspector asked for the opinion of parents. Here’s what she found:

Parents report that they are happy with the nursery.”

4. Open Early until Late

Leaps and Bounds Day Nursery is open from early in the day until late in the afternoon. Opening at 7.30am and closing at 6.15pm means that parents/carers are less likely to have trouble getting to and from their places of work in time to drop off or pick up children.

5. Free Childcare Supported

All Government childcare funding schemes are supported at Leaps & Bounds for eligible families. This includes the free ‘15-hours’ and ‘30-hours’ childcare schemes for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds as well as valid childcare vouchers, tax-free childcare, student childcare schemes and many more (subject to eligibility etc.).

6. Forest School

We run our own Forest School in Edgbaston, Birmingham. As well as being a fun place to be, the outdoors will give children a sense of adventure.Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is pleased to be able to include Forest School sessions for its children as part of our curriculum of educational activities. This allows children to get outdoors in local, natural spaces where they can enjoy and learn from everything that nature has to offer. Nature is incredibly beneficial to children, so this is doubly important. And remember: not all childcare nurseries and early years settings offer Forest School.

7. A Warm, Welcoming & Nurturing Environment

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is a warm, home-from-home environment. Here, every child is welcomed, valued and nurtured as a unique individual. We bring out the very best in each child and, during their time with us, give them all the tools, knowledge and encouragement they need to absolutely thrive. Ofsted recognised this through the following comments from their latest report in April 2023:

“Staff are warm and nurturing. They provide kind words and reassurance to children throughout the day. Regular praise helps children to become confident and motivated to learn.”

8. Free Guided Tours

If you’ve not yet enrolled your child at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, why not take up the offer of a free introductory tour? Bring your child along, so you can see how well they’d fit in. We’ll show you both around and answer any questions, without obligation or pressure. Then, if you decide to enrol your child, we’ll do everything we can to help them settle in.

9. Competitive Pricing

At the time of writing, the cost of half-day sessions is just £35 for an afternoon session, £38 for a morning session and £55 for a full day. That decreases, pro-rata, if your child attends full-time Monday to Friday. For a week it costs £230 — the equivalent of just £46 per day, which is very competitive. Prices are correct at the time of writing (June 2023), but please check our Fees page for the latest figures.

10. Discounts Available

Various potential discounts are available for childcare at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery. These include the following:

  • A 10% discount is available if your child already has a sibling at the setting.
  • A 10% discount is available for NHS staff (N.B. valid NHS ID will be required).

11. High-Quality Teaching

Our talented early years practitioners offer high-quality teaching.Our talented early-years practitioners offer high-quality teaching. This is backed up by Ofsted who, in their latest Ofsted report, said, “The quality of teaching is good. Staff are skilled and use children’s interests to challenge what they know and can do … Staff pose questions that help children to begin to problem solve.”

12. A Well-Organised Curriculum

Ofsted recognised our well-organised curriculum and made the following comment in their report:

“The curriculum is well organised. It builds on the experiences children hold and what they need to learn next to be successful.”

They added that staff, “target children’s individual learning so that children make the best possible progress from their starting points. Children gain a range of skills that they practise and build on. This prepares them well for their next stage of learning.”

13. Bespoke Learning and Development for Every Child

A bespoke learning and development plan is developed for every child – after all, each one is unique. A custom plan will bring out the best in them, helping them to achieve personal bests in every area. This is achieved through cooperation between staff, room leaders, each child’s ‘Key Person’ at the setting, parents/carers and any external specialists should their expertise be required (see below).

14. Good Support for Special Needs &/or Disabilities

There is good support for children with special educational or developmental needs at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery. Ofsted agrees with this, concluding that…

“Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support. Staff work with external agencies and parents to provide care and education that is specific to each child’s needs.”

15. A Strong Relationship with Parents

Ofsted’s most recent report backed our strong relationship with parents through comments including, “Staff speak to parents daily and share information about what their children learn and the activities they are involved in.”

They go on to say, “A range of home resources helps parents talk about any changes in their lives, such as the arrival of a new baby, with their children. This strong partnership helps to strengthen children’s emotional well-being and security.” The resources referred to include a smartphone app, which allows our childcare professionals to keep parents up-to-date in real time about what their child has eaten, when they’ve slept at the nursery and what activities they’ve been taking part in during the day. It’s a great way to keep in touch and to ensure all parties involved in the child’s care are on the same page.

16. Great Facilities & Equipment

Leaps & Bounds is purpose-built for childcare and early years learning and development, with a wide variety of equipment, facilities, and resources.The setting at Leaps & Bounds is purpose-built for childcare and early years learning and development. It is extremely well-equipped, both indoors and outdoors, with a wide variety of equipment, facilities and resources to suit babies and children aged up to five. Inside, there are several light and spacious age-specific rooms, along with a separate communal room accessible to all. Outside, there are two well-designed and highly interactive play areas which offer children boundless opportunities for learning through play. Learn more about our facilities here.

17. Separate Areas for Different Ages

Designating separate rooms for each age group really helps children to focus on age-specific play and learning activities. With that in mind, we have separate rooms and resources for babies, including a tranquil sleep area, a separate room for infants aged 14 months to 2 years, another for toddlers aged 2 years to 38 months, and a preschoolers room for children aged 38 months plus.

18. Good Support for Language & Literacy

There is a sharp focus on improving children’s speech at the nursery. Ofsted comments: “New words are introduced and a wealth of books are used to tell stories and provide children with information to support an enjoyment of literacy.”

19. Good Support for Children’s Emotional Well-being

Ofsted made a series of flattering comments about support for children’s emotional well-being at the nursery. These included the following: “Staff provide good support for children’s emotional well-being. Children begin to recognise different emotions and show empathy for others” … “Children build lovely friendships with each other” … and, “Children cooperate well in activities. They learn to take turns and to share with others.”

20. Appreciation of Different Cultures

Children are also encouraged to appreciate different cultures and communities. Ofsted recognised this with the following: “Children develop their understanding of the wider communities as they talk about what happens during Ramadan and Eid” … “Staff introduce [words] in a different language so that children begin to understand the importance and value of people who are the same and who are different.”

21. Fresh, High-Quality Meals & Snacks

Healthy food, snacks and drinks are included in the nursery's fees and special diets are catered for.Food, healthy snacks and drinks are included in the nursery’s fees and special diets are catered for, for example, vegetarian or vegan options. The nursery has a 5-star food hygiene rating and food is freshly prepared by an award-winning early-years catering company. Only the most fresh, locally sourced and nutritious ingredients are used.

22. Extra Classes & Activities

At Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, we also offer extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, and physical sessions. An example is Rhythm Time, which is an award-winning music class that helps children develop social skills, confidence, speech, coordination, and creativity. Another is Active Adventurers, where children enhance fundamental movement skills through multi-sport sessions with a focus on motor skills, balance, coordination, and body awareness. More information about our extra-curricular activities is available on our About Us page.

23. Holiday Club During School Holidays

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery also caters for older children during school holidays. The extremely popular ‘Holiday Club’ caters for children aged from 5 to 10 and offers fun and stimulating activities for the children. It costs only £25 per day (8am to 5pm). For a full week (Monday to Friday inclusive) it’s just £120; the equivalent of £24 per day. Prices are correct at the time of writing (June 2023) but check our Fees page for any later updates.

24. Excellent Safeguarding Protocols

As recognised by Ofsted in their latest inspection and report, Leaps & Bounds Nursery has an effective approach to safeguarding. Training and supervision programmes are in place to enable staff to keep children safe while at the nursery and to ensure any concerns are mitigated. The relevant safety checks are all in place too and staff are first-aid trained. CCTV cameras are installed to monitor child safety throughout the nursery, in the reception area and the outdoor areas. Good protocols are in place concerning picking up children, so that only the ‘right’ person can do so. Learn more about our safeguarding commitments, protocols and measures here.

25. Open 51 Weeks of the Year

We’re open all year apart from 1 week between Christmas and New Year and during public holidays.

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood & Harborne B16

Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.

Childcare Places with a Good Provider in Edgbaston, Birmingham

So, for a good, reliable, welcoming and nurturing nursery/preschool in Edgbaston or Birmingham, do consider Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery. To start exploring the possibility of your baby, toddler or preschooler joining our wonderful childcare setting in the near future, please select an option below:

Please note: although we are located in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, we may also be conveniently close for families requiring a high-quality nursery or preschool near Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick.

 

40 British Birds for Children to Look Out For — Free A3 Poster Download Included

There’s no better time for little ones to take an active interest in nature than spring, summer and autumn. Not only is nature good for children, but it also teaches them an incredible variety of things about the natural world, the flora and fauna within it, and even about their own place in the world. Nature is healthy, healing, exciting and a huge adventure, especially for the young. With all this in mind, today we publish an A3 poster showing 40 birds that children in Britain can look out for and learn to identify. It’s an activity that will cost them nothing, open their eyes to nature and help them get to know some of the wonderful creatures within it. If they print out and display the poster, they’ll soon get to know the names of birds that they may see out the window, in the garden, in the park/countryside, or even on their way to nursery or school. The poster can also be viewed on electronic devices like tablets, smartphones and computers, all in beautiful detail (try zooming in for a closer view). We suggest children tick off each type of bird as it’s seen and set themselves a challenge to see how many they can spot over the course of the year.

Download the Free British Birds Poster

Right-click the preview image below — or this link — to save the poster to your device before printing it out for your child. Alternatively, left-click either option to view the poster on screen (N.B. availability of this function may depend on your device and browser settings).

40 British Birds for Children to Look Out For — Free Poster Download

The poster shows 40 different birds that are mostly fairly common in Britain from spring onwards. For instance, birds like robins, dunnocks, bluetits, pigeons and blackbirds will probably be spotted in no time at all, even in built-up areas. However, the poster also includes several species that children and adults alike may want to look out for simply because they are more rarely seen. Examples include colourful bullfinches, shy goldcrests and firecrests (the latter is featured in the main picture) as well as birds of prey like sparrowhawks and red kites. The latter can often be seen in the sky on car trips through countryside or even above motorways. It will take an eagle eye, if you excuse the pun, for children to spot some of those more shy birds, but they’re out there in more wild locations like parks and open countryside if children are patient and keenly observant. Some will require patience, in other words, and that’s also another good skill for children to learn. Children generally love the idea of nighttime birds like owls too (we also think they’re fascinating), so we’ve included 3 types of owls even though they may only be seen rarely, perhaps at dusk or in the headlights of the car at night. Children can certainly listen out for owls, though, particularly if they live in areas with countryside, outbuildings and trees in the vicinity.

We may produce additional posters for children in future if this one proves to be popular. For example, we may create a separate waterfowl poster, perhaps one for butterflies and moths, and maybe even one for British snakes and reptiles. So, watch this space!

Other Ways to Identify British Birds

The RSPB also has online tools to help children and adults identify specific types of bird.Our poster only includes 40 popular birds out of potentially hundreds that can be found in the UK. With that in mind, here are several other ways for children to identify wild birds, perhaps with the help of a supervising adult:

Forest School at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, Edgbaston

We run our own Forest School in Edgbaston, Birmingham.As well as being a fun place to be, the outdoors will give children a sense of adventure.Nature is one of our focuses at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery in Edgbaston. Children get to enjoy and learn about nature through our Forest School. There, children enjoy time spent in a natural environment where they can explore and learn about the natural world under supervision. We also have our own seed and plant-growing area at the childcare setting, allowing children to grow herbs, plants and vegetables and learn cultivation and nurturing skills.

Nursery & Pre-school Places in Edgbaston, Birmingham

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood & Harborne B16Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.Are you looking for a good nursery or preschool place in Edgbaston, or near Birmingham? Consider Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery if so. We accept all recognised Government -funded childcare places and would love to show you and your little one around. Please get in touch to register your baby or child for a place, ask questions or arrange a guided visit. Many thanks — we look forward to meeting you!

Leaps & Bounds Nursery is located in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, close to Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick.

Signs of Spring for Little Ones to Discover.

There’s no better time to start spotting the signs of the changing seasons with your children than whilst on the journey to nursery. Spring arrives on the 20th of March* each year in the UK and is a wonderful antidote to the cold winter months and short, dark evenings. It’s a time when you know warmer weather will soon be on its way. Evenings are getting slowly longer too. Best of all, a myriad of little miracles are starting to happen around you, as flowers and shrubs reawaken and plants can be seen shooting up from the ground. Many birds will also return to the UK from their foreign travels around springtime, often having travelled thousands of miles to get back to the UK. So, why not make your child’s journey to and from nursery a bit more exciting — and educational — by encouraging them to spot and identify some of these natural delights. Below are a few plants and creatures for children to keep an eye out for around the end of winter, signalling the welcome start of springtime …

Snowdrops in spring

Snowdrops

Snowdrops flower early in the year and quite literally look like little drops of snow. Like the crocus, which is shown in the main image at the top, snowdrops are one of the very first flowers to bloom in the first part of the year. When you see them first start to shoot and bloom, you and your children can be sure that spring is just around the corner. Soon there will be flowers, buds and shoots everywhere, as spring finally arrives and everything starts to reappear after the cold winter months. Children will be able to spot snowdrops often in small bunches of about 10 or so stems, in gardens, parks and wooded areas. They’re delightful little flowers, perfectly formed to visually appeal to little ones. Teach your child to admire them, but not pick them, as they are poisonous if consumed. In any case, they’ll be there for all to admire when left alone, so that they can grow and flourish. Learn more about snowdrops here.

Springtime daffodils in bloom

Spring Daffodils

There are many different types of daffodil for children to look out for.Daffodils are a classic sign of spring in the UK with their bright, blooming buds breaking through the gloominess of winter. Daffodils begin to grow and flower during the month of February and should be in full bloom throughout March and all the way into May.
On your walk to nursery with your children, perhaps ask them how many different types of daffodils they can see. Many people will be growing them in their gardens and in flower pots on balconies and windowsills. And, of course, many flourish in open countryside along hedgerows and often in shaded woodlands. See if your child can spot yellow, trumpet-like flowers, yellow petals with an orange inner, daffodils with white petals or the tiny daffodils called tête-à-tête. As with snowdrops, be aware that daffodils are poisonous if consumed, so it’s best to teach children not to pick them, which will also allow others to enjoy them as they pass. Where else to see daffodils.

A robin singing in early spring

Birdsong

Winter can be cold, dark and desolate. However, a sure sign that spring is on the way is birdsong. As the mornings get lighter, birdsong starts earlier. This can be made up of robins, blackbirds, wrens and other birds native to the United Kingdom. The beauty of such sounds is often overlooked, so when you first step out of your door on the way to nursery, get your children to stand still for fifteen or twenty seconds to listen to the birds, counting how many they can hear if they are able to. Even better; see if they can gradually work out what type of bird is making each of the sounds. Visiting the RSPB’s interactive birdsong identifier is a fabulous place for children to start learning about this wonder of nature.

A bumblebee on pussy willow

Bees

Bees are incredibly important for pollinating plants across the world. They’re also incredibly cute — especially bumblebees! As spring begins and flowers start to blossom again, the UK sees an increase in the number of bees in gardens and the countryside. This increase continues throughout the summer and autumn. On your walk to nursery throughout spring, you and your little ones may see Tree Bumblebees, which can be easily spotted by their distinct colouring. Whilst a regular garden bumblebee has bright yellow areas, a Tree Bumblebee has a tawny head and upper body, a black lower body, and a white tip/tail.

It’s important to teach little ones that bees are friendly when left in peace (many do not even have stings) and must be protected in order to keep ecosystems functioning and growing. And, of course, they should be protected and nurtured because they’re simply adorable little creatures. Learn more about bees here.

Tadpoles

Frog Spawn & Tadpoles

Frog spawn.If you live near a park with a pond or happen to have one in the back garden, a definite sign of spring arriving is the presence of frog spawn. Initially, this can look like hundreds of little black dots sitting on the surface of the water. If your little one keeps an eye on these over the course of March (under supervision, for safety, of course), they will see these dots gradually turn into tadpoles, which will get bigger and bigger. A fun activity for your children is to get them to look at the frogspawn twice a week, under supervision, and to draw it on a piece of paper. Then, once the tadpoles have turned into frogs, they can look back at their own artwork to see the journey of spawn to fully-fledged frog! Alternatively, if your children aren’t at drawing age, you can take a photo on your phone each week and then compare them together once the tadpoles have grown. It’s a great way for them to learn about nature and life itself.

Pussy willow buds

Budding Trees

A very easy-to-spot sign of spring is buds on trees. Buds are often growing flowers or leaves which will come into bloom across spring and summer. Whilst on your walk to nursery, get your children to look up at any trees that you pass to see if there are any buds on the branches. If there are, a fun challenge could be to check that same tree every week and count how many weeks it takes to bloom. There are some very interesting buds and blooms for children to look out for, for example catkins, which have dangling yellow fronds and pussy willow, which has beautifully soft ‘fur’ on its buds. Indeed, the soft hairs are there to protect and insulate the buds from cold, since they bloom so early in the year. Many people liken the soft pussy willow buds to tiny cats’ paws. Both varieties are sure to delight and fascinate young children!

Yellow catkins

The above signs of spring are just a few that you can spot whilst on your journey to nursery or pre-school. Learning about and appreciating nature are excellent ways of enriching the lives of your children and may spark an interest in wildlife and plants as they grow up. Nature will teach them so much and benefit them in so many ways — educationally, cognitively and spiritually.

Nature & Forest School at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, Edgbaston

We run our own Forest School in Edgbaston, Birmingham.As well as being a fun place to be, the outdoors will give children a sense of adventure.Children learn about and enjoy nature at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery. As well as having our own seed, herb, plant and vegetable area for the children to enjoy and learn from, we have our own Forest School in Edgbaston near Birmingham. There, children are able to spend time in natural open spaces like woodlands, where they will learn and benefit from nature in so many ways. As well as being educational, spending time in a natural environment is very good for children, as many studies have shown.

Nursery & Pre-School Places in Edgbaston, near Birmingham

Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery is in Edgbaston, near Birmingham, Ladywood, Bearwood & Harborne B16Are you looking for a good nursery or pre-school place for your baby, toddler or child under five in Edgbaston or near Birmingham? Get in touch with us, if so, and we’ll be happy to show you and your little one around, so you can see how well they will fit in. We support all Government-funded places, including their ‘free hours’ schemes for eligible children aged 2 to 4. We’re also located near Ladywood, Bearwood, Harborne and Smethwick, so may be conveniently located if you live or work in any of those places nearby. Please choose a button below to get started:

* Spring starts on 20th March according to the astronomical calendar. There are other definitions of the start of spring, but the astronomical calendar is the most commonly recognised by the general public. In contrast, the meteorological calendar, for example, has the seasons starting on the first of the month in March, June, September and December, rather than 20 or more days in.

Home Learning Activities to Help Under-5s: Activity Ideas for Parents
There are lots of activities that children can do and benefit from at home.When it comes to the learning and development of children, a good parent-nursery partnership is absolutely vital to maximising their short- and long-term success. In the mid-term, it also ensures they’re ‘school-ready’ by the time they leave our care. We therefore work together with parents¹, in close partnership. By doing so, children will receive a consistent, ‘joined-up’ approach to the tailored curriculum and the shared goals that we create for each of them. Sharing goals for children both at home and in the nursery will ensure the strengthening of strong areas as well as bolstering any weaker areas that children may find challenging.

With this in mind, today we outline a variety of activity ideas that all parents can undertake with children when at home. Such ‘home learning’ activities will support the progress of children’s learning and development while at home, whilst also supporting the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum that children are working to at the nursery/pre-school.

Home Learning Activities — for 2-Year-Olds

‘Creative Table’ Activities

These creative activities can span a variety of art and crafts undertaken using a surface that is easily cleanable, for example a small table.

  • Why not get the paints out. Your child can enjoy using and mixing a variety of colours and, as well as being a creative opportunity, this can be a colour learning exercise too. Perhaps draw shapes for your child to paint and then your child can learn the different shape words as well.
  • Reading is one of the most important and impactful activities that parents can help children with.Play dough will be a popular choice for little ones, especially if shape cutters and a rolling pin are brought into the activity. Play dough is entertaining to use, it’s creative and children will learn about colours, shapes and three-dimensional form as they go along.
  • Another variation of this type of activity might instead use cookie dough that can later be eaten once cooked (under supervision). Animal-shaped cutters and suchlike will also make this activity more fun.
  • Potato stamping is another good table-top creative activity although, for safety, Mum or Dad will need to do the cutting part. Children will enjoy stamping different shapes and colours onto paper or card, perhaps forming repeat patterns or little scenes.

Beneficial outcomes: These activities help children to use their imaginations, they boost creativity skills and may even expand children’s knowledge of language and vocabulary. They will also help children to hone finer motor skills and coordination.

‘Simon Says’ Activity

By the age of two, most toddlers will have heard the song Heads, shoulders, knees and toes and, like that song, the ‘Simon Says’ game will help them to remember the correct identification of parts of the body. For example, tell them Simon says “touch your toes”. Then, ensure they do so or, of course, correct them if they get it wrong. The command could also be some other alternative like “jump up and down” or “clap your hands” or even “sit on your bottom”.

Beneficial outcomes: This type of activity helps not only with memory skills, but also with motor skills, coordination and balance. They may even learn some new words and boost their vocabulary.

‘Stop and Go’ Activity

Challenge children to find specific things when outdoors in nature.This can be played inside or outside where the child has a bit of space, for example a long hallway would be perfect. Let your child pretend they are walking of perhaps even driving. Give the commands “Stop!” and “Go!” and perhaps even “Freeze!”. They’ll probably find this highly amusing, particularly if you give them feedback and encouragement. Another twist on this activity would be for them to do the activity whilst dancing. You could then abruptly stop the music and shout “Stop!” and so on.

Beneficial outcomes: This activity encourages children to use their listening skill and also their balance skills. At the same time, it’s also huge fun for toddlers! And, if they go for the dancing version of the activity, it’ll help with coordination and general fitness too.

Dressing Up Activity

Playing at dressing up can conjure up all sorts of scenarios and characters — from spacemen, fire fighters and nurses to princesses or your child’s favourite characters from television or books. Perhaps your child has just read about a fireman and it’s fresh in their memory. Dressing up and re-enacting a part of the book will boost your child’s memory while also letting them develop a few moments of creative acting.

Perhaps say to your child, “What would you like to be today?”. Help suggest ideas if they struggle at first and work with what materials you have to play with. It does not have to be a full-blown costume, just a hat will often do — your child’s imagination can do the rest. Children will love dressing up and will find this activity huge fun.

Beneficial outcomes: This activity can boost their imaginations as well as their planning and creativity skills.

Finding Hidden Objects

A fun activity for children is finding hidden things either inside the home or out in the garden.This hidden objects activity could involve hiding almost anything for the child to find. You could start off in one room only to make it easier initially. Show your child the object before hiding it. Once they start looking for it, you could use words like near, far, yes, no, warmer, colder and so on. Once they have mastered finding one object, perhaps add more for them to find. Then perhaps reverse roles and try to find objects the child has hidden for you. Ensure they also use the clue words like warm and cold etc. You could even set up some kind of reward to make it more exciting. For example, if they ‘win’ they could get a treat of some kind, like a funky sticker or trip to the swings.

Beneficial outcomes: This activity helps to improve children’s listening and (if roles are reversed) speaking skills, vocabulary, problem-solving skills and also gets them to use their imaginations.

Home Learning Activities — for 3-Year-Olds

Now your child is a bit older, you can move onto more challenging home learning activities.

Paper Plate Painting

Paper plates can be used in a variety of creative ways, e.g. to stick together to make three-dimensional shapes and also for painting. Circular plates give children a brilliant opportunity to paint a sun or face. A face can perhaps be happy or sad and why not add some cut up wool, glued on for hair, and buttons as eyes. Children can be as creative as they like.

Safety Note: Ensure your use non toxic glue and paint and that your 3 year old is supervised at all times due to the small parts they are playing with.

If your are able to have a walk with your child in the country or maybe even the park, why not suggest a list of ‘treasure’ that your child needs to find.Beneficial outcomes: Arts and crafts are said to use multiple areas of children’s brains and encourage the use of fine motor skills. They also stimulate the imagination and boost creativity.

Nature Treasure Hunts

If your are able to have a walk with your child in the country or maybe even the park, why not suggest a list of ‘treasure’ that your child needs to find. These can be as simple as a mossy stick, a pretty leaf, an interesting pebble, a fragrant flower, a pine cone, acorn, conker, and so on.

Beneficial outcomes: This activity will bring out the adventurer in children. It’s also a lovely way of getting fresh air and getting back to nature. It’s also a simple learning activity of what we can find in nature if we look.

Sandpit Treasure Hunts

You can also use a sandpit for a child's treasure hunt.Similarly, children will love looking for — and finding — ‘treasure’ hidden in a sandpit or sand box. Bury some pretend treasure in the sand and then let your child rummage through the sand to discover the hidden objects. You could make it more challenging by saying, for instance, that there are 5 treasures in the sand. Encourage your 3-year-old to count them as they come out as well saying what they are. You could also do this activity with the child blindfolded, so they have to feel the objects and guess what they are once found.

Beneficial outcomes: This is primarily a sensory activity and, as we all know, sensory activities are really good for children in their early years. These kinds of activities will stimulate children’s senses of touch and sight as well as encouraging movement and coordination. More sensory-based activities for preschoolers can be found here.

Making Bird Feeders

There are lots of different ways to easily make bird feeders at home.Not only is this a fun activity for your child, but it also helps the local wildlife. There are lots of different ways to easily make bird feeders at home. Just one easy example is to find a pine cone, coat it in smooth peanut butter then roll it in bird seed. Once coated, hang it outside using a piece of string. If possible, hang your bird feeder within easy view of a window where your child can watch, but also follow the advice given in the bold link above in regard to the safety of the visiting birds.

Beneficial outcomes: With this activity, children will practise their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as well as learning about nature and a healthy dose of empathy. If successful, children will love this activity and the positive outcome for visiting birds.

Home Learning Activities — for 4-Year-Olds

Now our little ones are bigger and more able, they can get involved in some more advanced home learning activities. Here are a few ideas to get them started.

Reading

This is such a beneficial activity for children — reading is one of the most important and impactful activities that parents can help children with. Read with your child so that they can learn from you. When your child listens to you reading, point at the words and explain some of the rules around words, spelling and how to read. If there are pictures, show the appropriate word with the picture and sound out the letters. You could also talk about the book afterwards, asking questions like, What happened? or Was that funny, sad, happy? etc. Practise acting to the characters in the book, perhaps making the sounds or faces that the characters would make.

Beneficial outcomes: This task will be both fun and highly educational for the child. Reading with under-fives has a whole host of benefits (follow the bold link in the paragraph above), including boosting language skills, boosting literacy, stimulating the imagination and creativity, preparing children better for school and more. Also, mastering reading helps in all other areas of the EYFS curriculum and is one of the best ways to help children maximise their potential in life.

Gardening

Get your child to help with pulling up weeds, or planting new seeds and plants.Get your child to help with pulling up weeds, or planting new seeds and plants. Give them set instructions or a demonstration to follow and ensure you stress the importance of caring for the plants and seedlings.

Beneficial outcomes: As well as being a healthy outdoor activity, your child learns about nature, seasons, the flora and fauna in the garden, and the process of growing living things. It also teaches them about the importance of nurturing the seedlings and plants and caring for their wellbeing. It teaches them about the growing process, responsibility and empathy and will also encourage a healthy love of nature — and brand new skills, of course.

Baking

Baking cakes, biscuits, cookies and breads under supervision will be a fun and educational activity for 4-year-olds.Baking cakes, biscuits, cookies and breads under your supervision* will be a fun and educational activity for 4-year-olds. What’s more, they’ll end up with something they can actually eat! During the process, try to explain the importance of measuring, doing things in the right order, waiting the right amount of time and so on. Ask them at the end about it, to ensure they have grasped the concepts.

* Under supervision for safety and teaching purposes.

Beneficial outcomes: With this activity, children will catch on to the concepts of measuring out, following instructions and the benefits of completing tasks in a carefully-planned and well-executed way. As well as practising their motor skills and coordination during the preparation processes, it will stimulate their brains in terms of logic, planning, attention to detail, following instructions, creativity and more.

Our Partnership With Parents

We are keen to provide guidance and support to parents in regard to their child’s education while at home, so that we’re all pulling in the same direction. So, if you are a parent of a child at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery in Edgbaston, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more ideas, insights, resources and ideas for activities that will help in your child’s progress.

Likewise, we also value the unique perspective that parents bring, fully appreciating that they will have special insights about their own child. For this reason, we more than welcome feedback from parents. We can then use this to inform our planning and support for each child’s individual growth even more optimally. That’s real teamwork and, together, we’ll all be striving for the same goals for children under our care.

Nursery & Pre-School Places for Children Under 5 in Edgbaston, Birmingham

Are you looking for a nursery or pre-school place for your child in Edgbaston or near Birmingham?

Leaps & Bounds nursery & pre-school is in Edgbaston, Birmingham B16, near Harborne, Ladywood, Bearwood & Smethwick

We offer not only weekday childcare but also a complete early years education for children under five. We even support free, funded places for those eligible for free childcare through Government schemes. Leaps & Bounds Nursery and Pre-school is located in Edgbaston (B16), near Birmingham, but may also suit those living or working nearby in Harborne, Ladywood, Bearwood or Smethwick. To request a guided tour of the nursery or to register your child for a place at the setting, please get started using an appropriate button below. We’re also on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

1. Parents is used on this site as a short-hand placeholder for parents, guardians, caregivers etc.

Seasonal Allergies in Under-Fives - A Rough Guide

Seasonal allergies: how to recognise symptoms, causes and how to treat them.In our last post all about food allergies, we also briefly touched upon seasonal allergies in young children. Today, we take a closer look at those and explain how to recognise their symptoms, what causes them and perhaps most importantly, how to treat them. Also known as “Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis” and, in the case of pollen allergies, “Hay Fever”, seasonable allergies can be miserable for children affected. It’s therefore important to alleviate any symptoms, or at the very least find workarounds, wherever possible. Doing so will make affected children more comfortable and able to breathe more easily.

What are the Causes of Seasonal Allergies?

As the name suggests, seasonal allergies are more prevalent at certain parts of the year than others, usually being worse during spring, summer and/or autumn. They are caused by an allergic reaction to such things as tree pollen, grass pollen, weed pollen, dust mites, mould and pet dander, Seasonal allergies can be caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, dust mites, mould and pet dander.which are present in the air that the child breathes. The child’s immune system treats such allergens as invaders, defensively reacting to them by releasing the protein histamine into the bloodstream as part of its wider physiological response. It is this specific protein that triggers the unwelcome symptoms experienced by the child.

Children can be more prone to seasonal allergies if they have a family history of allergies.

What are the Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies in Children?

Itchy ear canals is one less common symptom of a seasonal allergy.The symptoms of seasonal allergy are similar, but not identical, to what we often refer to as having ‘a cold’. The most common symptoms of a seasonal allergy include nasal congestion, a clear, runny nose, an itchy nose, throat and/or roof of the mouth, sneezing and a ‘postnasal drip’ (dripping of mucus from the back of the nasal cavity directly into the throat). The latter can also cause persistent coughing, perhaps accompanied by wheezing and shortness of breath. Although similar to a cold in many respects, the symptoms of seasonal allergy are different in that they do not include a fever, any cough is usually a ‘dry’ one and nasal congestion is clear and watery rather than thick and cloudy as you might expect if the cause was a cold. Another difference is that a seasonal allergy may persist for weeks or even months, unlike a cold, which generally goes within a fortnight or so.

Sometimes seasonal allergy symptoms go on to trigger asthma for those who suffer from it. Children with eczema may also find symptoms worsening when they also have a seasonal allergy.

If a child develops shortness of breath or tightness in their chest, seek urgent medical advice in case the cause turns out to be something more serious than a seasonal allergy. It’s always best to be cautious with the health of little ones.

Children's eyes can also become red, puffy or watery during an episode of seasonal allergy.Children’s eyes can also become red, puffy or watery during an episode of seasonal allergy. They may also exhibit dark circles under their eyes and little ones may also seem more irritable, restless and generally fatigued. Another symptom often seen in children with a seasonal allergy is breathing with their mouth open — simply because their noses are so congested. Children with the disorder may also have trouble sleeping, develop headaches and even get itchy ear canals.

What is the Prevalence of Seasonal Allergies in Babies & Young Children?

Seasonal allergies can develop at any age.Although seasonal allergies can develop at any age, it’s important to stress that they are very rare among babies and infants aged up to 12 months. The earliest that seasonal allergies tend to start, if at all, is once children reach the age of 1 to 2. At that age, the seasonal allergen itself is most likely to be an indoor allergen like dust mites, mould or pet dander rather than outdoor allergens such as pollen or grass. If a child is going to develop a seasonal allergy, it’s much more likely to begin between 3 and 5, although most young children who do develop seasonal allergy may only start noticing symptoms as they get closer to the age of 10. Others may develop it as late as 20.

How Do You Treat the Symptoms of a Seasonal Allergy in Infants?

It’s important to try to relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies in babies, toddlers and children as it’s an unpleasant affliction to live with and can also lead to ear and/or sinus infections if left untreated.

Medical Treatments

GPs, paediatricians and allergists/immunologists can all help to professionally diagnose and treat seasonal allergies. Treatments prescribed by such medical professionals may include child-safe antihistamines, nasal, oral or ocular (eye) sprays and/or even allergy shots, however the latter are seldom prescribed for the very young. Children whose eyes suffer particularly badly around pollen may even be advised to wear goggles when venturing outdoors, to keep the pollen out.

How Parents/Carers Can Help at Home

There are also things that parents/carers can do to help little ones overcome the symptoms of seasonal allergies. The most powerful and obvious one is to keep little ones away from the sources of the allergens that affect them. Keeping track of pollen counts (often given along with the weather reports on TV) and keeping children indoors on days when the count is high is going to help. Keeping pollen out of the house is also key. Hence, vacuuming thoroughly with a vacuum that has a HEPA (high efficiency particulate arresting) filter, keeping windows closed, taking shoes off when coming indoors, regularly dusting, washing sheets, blankets, clothes and curtains etc. and showering/bathing children who’ve been outdoors will all help to reduce pollen, dust mites and other allergens within the household. Drying washing in a dryer, instead of drying it naturally outside, will also help to limit the amount of allergens around affected children. Children’s hair will also trap allergens, so this should also be washed regularly to remove such allergens. Some air conditioners have pollen filters that can help to reduce the number of allergens and dust in the air, as do some free-standing air purification machines.

If the problem is pet dander, pets may also need to receive regular baths or showers.If the problem is pet dander, pets may also need to receive regular baths or showers (where appropriate and safe for them to do so) to remove dander from their fur or feathers — perhaps once a week. If the child’s allergy to dander is severe, it may even mean that pets and children need to keep to their own areas around the home, and children taught not to cuddle or stroke them.

If dust mites are causing the allergic reaction in your child, consider switching pillows and blankets to synthetic materials or even use specialist fabrics and airtight covers that block the passage of dust mites in bedding. Regularly wash bedding, pillow cases and even soft toys on a hot setting and tumble dry rather than exposing them to pollens on an outdoor washing line. Carpeting and rugs can also be a host for dust mites so consider switching to another type of flooring that can be cleaned more thoroughly, e.g. laminate flooring. Specially-treated mop heads can even be sourced to clean them. Putting smaller items in the freezer for several hours each week will also kill dust mites, particularly if followed up by a hot wash and tumble dry afterwards.

Mould is also a common allergen.Mould is also a common allergen. Try to keep children away from it anyway (it’s not healthy) and, better still, eradicate it completely. Any leaks, plumbing or drainage issues should therefore be fixed, including outdoor defects if present, as they might otherwise allow the ingress of moisture to the indoors. Dehumidifiers will help to remove moisture from the air indoors, and adequate ventilation around the home will help to stop any mould taking hold (that’s if ventilation is practical, should the child also be allergic to pollen). Extractor fans in bathrooms, showers and kitchens will also help to vent moist air to the outside. Anti-mould paint, grout and sealants are available too, for problem areas like bathrooms, although bathroom and shower walls, tiling, shower curtains or screens etc. will be less likely to become habitats for mould if they’re squeegeed and dried after use. Drying damp towels and flannels in tumble driers will also help, rather than leaving them lying around. Also be mindful not to over-water houseplants, which should be kept away from affected children, and ensure any firewood is stored outdoors. Lastly, keep washing machine doors ajar when not in use and regularly clean the door seals as these can otherwise harbour mould.

We hope that this rough guide to seasonal allergies in under-fives has been useful to parents and carers of little ones.

Please feel free to share this guide on social media and to bookmark it in your browser.

A Nursery Place at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery, Edgbaston, Birmingham

Are you looking a nursery or pre-school place for your child in Edgbaston — or near Birmingham, Harborne, Ladywood, Bearwood or Smethwick?

Leaps & Bounds nursery & pre-school is in Edgbaston, Birmingham B16, near Harborne, Ladywood, Bearwood & Smethwick

Leaps & Bounds Nursery is rated as a Good Provider of childcare by Ofsted.Please get in touch if you are looking for a high quality childcare place for your baby, toddler or under-five child at Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery and pre-school in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Our wonderful weekday childcare service is also convenient if you live/work near Harborne, Ladywood, Bearwood or Smethwick. Come and see the nursery in action and bring along your little one – we’ll be happy to show you around and to answer any questions. We’ll also be happy to clarify any free childcare options for 2-year-olds, 3 & 4-year-olds, students and more. Please choose a button below to get in touch or to get started with a place for your child: