At Wellies Day Nursery, we are proud of our outdoor spaces, designed to inspire imagination, creativity, and active play. 

Our outdoor facilities provide children with opportunities to: 

 

Outdoor play is a vital part of preschool development, and Spring gives us the perfect backdrop to make the most of it. Fresh air, open space, and natural resources all support children’s wellbeing and learning. 

 

Spring offers a rich, ever-changing environment that naturally supports children’s development across all areas of learning. At Wellies, we use the outdoors as an extension of the classroom, where children can learn through real experiences rather than just observation. 

By engaging directly with nature, children begin to: 

 

Our activities are carefully planned but remain child-led, allowing children to follow their interests. One day this might mean digging and planting seeds, learning patience as they wait for growth. Another day, it could be lying on the grass watching clouds, or hunting for worms and mini-beasts in the soil. We also encourage responsibility by teaching children how to care for their environment by watering plants, respecting living creatures, and understanding the importance of looking after the world around them. 

 

These meaningful, hands-on experiences help children develop confidence, independence, and a genuine love for learning. 

Twice a year, the clocks change, while adults may feel a little groggy, for young children it can feel like their whole world has shifted! 

As we move into British Summer Time (BST) in March, the clocks go forward by one hour. That means lighter evenings, brighter mornings, and sometimes a slightly tricky adjustment period for little ones. 

At Wellies Day Nursery, we know how important routine and sleep are for children’s wellbeing. Here’s our practical guide to help your family transition smoothly. 

 

In March, the UK switches from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to British Summer Time (BST). At 1:00am, the clocks jump forward to 2:00am. 

For children, this can mean: 

 

The good news? Most children adjust within a week with a little gentle support. 

 

 

At Wellies Day Nursery, children’s mental health is at the forefront of our teaching and learning approach. From 9th–15th February 2026, we will be proudly supporting Children’s Mental Health Week, using this important time to focus on connection, communication and wellbeing across our nursery community. 

Children’s Mental Health Week is an opportunity to highlight how meaningful connections with family, friends and peers play a vital role in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing. Feeling connected helps children develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging, all of which are essential foundations in the early years. 

 

Positive mental health is closely linked to feeling connected to others. When children feel secure in their relationships, they are more likely to express their emotions, explore confidently and build healthy social skills. 

 

At Wellies Day Nursery, we encourage children to connect with others in meaningful and rewarding ways. Connecting with peers not only supports social development but also helps to reduce negative impacts on mental health, such as feelings of loneliness or isolation. Through everyday interactions, children learn how to build friendships, show empathy and develop an understanding of the world around them. 

 

 

If you’re a working parent looking for information about free childcare or help with childcare costs, we can help explain. The government’s Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme can make nursery fees more affordable. Wellies Day Nursery is a fully registered provider, so your family can benefit from this scheme. We completely understand that the free childcare funding system can feel daunting, confusing, or even overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time applying. Please don’t worry. 

We are always here to help explain the process, guide you through the steps, and support you with any questions you may have. Our team deals with funded hours regularly, and we’re more than happy to assist wherever we can. 

We’ve put together this easy guide to help you understand what the scheme offers and how you can apply. 

 

 

At Wellies Day Nursery, December is one of the most magical times of the year. The festive season gives us endless opportunities to enhance children’s learning through sensory play, helping little ones explore the world through sight, smell, taste and touch. This month is filled with glowing lights, comforting seasonal scents, festive flavours and hands-on creative experiences that support early development. 

November is a wonderful time to snuggle up with a cosy blanket, turn the pages of a favourite book, and let imaginations run wild. At Wellies Day Nursery, we’re celebrating Nursery Rhyme Week. It's the perfect opportunity to share our love of stories, songs, and rhymes with our youngest learners. 

For children aged one to three, stories and rhymes are much more than just fun. They help little ones make sense of the world around them, develop early language skills, and build the confidence to communicate and express themselves. 

 

Even before children can read or speak clearly, stories and rhymes play a vital role in their development. Listening to rhymes helps children hear the rhythm and melody of language, which supports early speech and listening skills. Sharing stories together also creates moments of comfort and connection. Those quiet times spent reading with a familiar adult help children feel safe, calm, and loved. 

Stories and rhymes encourage focus too. Their repetitive nature helps little ones learn to follow along, anticipate what happens next, and take turns joining in. They also spark imagination. When children hear about a talking pumpkin or a spider climbing up a spout, they begin to explore ideas, feelings, and possibilities, all through the power of words. 

Starting nursery, or even returning after a break, is a big milestone for young children and their families. It can bring a mix of excitement, pride, and sometimes a few wobbles along the way.  

 

At Wellies Day Nursery, we understand that parents want to know how to help their child feel happy and secure at drop-off. One of the most effective ways to do this is through consistent routines. 

 

With autumn now here, another change is approaching: the clocks go back on 26th October. For many families, this seasonal shift can affect bedtime, naps, and daily rhythms. With World Mental Health Day taking place on 10th October, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how small steps, like strong routines and calm transitions, can support both children’s and parents’ wellbeing. 

In this blog, we’ll share tips on helping your child settle into nursery, managing separation anxiety, and keeping routines smooth when the clocks change. 

September is Baby Safety Month. 

A time dedicated to raising awareness about protecting our little ones as they grow, play, and explore. At Wellies Day Nursery, safety is not just a focus for one month; it’s woven into our daily routines, our environment, and our staff culture all year round. 

We know that parents entrust us with their most precious treasures, and that trust is built on knowing we keep children safe in every way possible, physically, emotionally, and developmentally. 

 

Here’s how we make safety a top priority at Wellies. 

 

At Wellies Day Nursery, we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start in life—and we’re proud to see the government’s renewed focus on doing the same. As part of National Wellness Month, it’s the perfect time to share how our nursery supports wellness and learning in the early years, in line with national priorities. 

July is Wild About Wildlife Month, a vibrant celebration of the beauty and vital importance of wildlife in our world — and at Wellies Day Nursery, we embrace it every single day. 

 

Nestled in the heart of the countryside, Wellies offers an unrivalled outdoor learning environment: fields of wildflowers, woodland edges, and even glimpses of deer, hares, foxes, and flocks of birds that roam just outside our windows. Children are able to explore and ask “What’s that?” — building curiosity and connection with nature.