Entries by Mark

, , , , ,

Rainy Day Activities for Children

Rainy Day Activities for Children: Fun Indoor Ideas for Kids

Today we are outlining some fantastic rainy-day activities that will turn an otherwise dull day into an exciting adventure for children. When the weather keeps little ones indoors, it can sometimes be a challenge to keep them entertained without resorting to screen time. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun and engaging rainy-day activities to spark their creativity, encourage movement, and keep boredom at bay — take a look! Perhaps bookmark this post so you have these exciting activity ideas ready for when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

, , , , ,

Winter Nature Hunt Activity – with Free Reference Poster for Kids

Winter Nature Hunt Activity – with Free Reference Poster for Kids

Today, we publish a free reference poster for children and families to download and use as the basis of a fun, nature-based, winter treasure hunt. It’s mid-winter right now, temperatures are low, and daylight hours are short. Families could therefore be forgiven for staying home in the warm rather than venturing out. However, if the right clothing and footwear are worn and children are supervised, there are treasures to be found and fun to be had outdoors — even this time of year. With that in mind, today’s post is here to introduce little ones to a wonderful outdoor activity that’s free and easy for them to take part in during the winter months.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” — Alfred Wainwright, walker and author.

, , , , ,

Food Safety & Hygiene Around Children — a Guide for Parents

Food Safety & Hygiene Around Children — a Guide for Parents

Today's post outlines various ways in which parents can stay on top of hygiene and safety around the preparation of food.With all the food and feasting associated with Christmas, it got us thinking about food hygiene and safety for children. Aside from keeping alert to possible allergens, parents need to be careful to ensure families remain safe from illnesses caused by food hygiene mishaps. After all, such illnesses can be particularly dangerous to little ones, who are fragile, but can be largely avoidable when good hygiene measures taken. With that in mind, today’s post outlines various ways in which parents can stay on top of hygiene around the preparation of food for their children. And, of course, such measures will keep adults safer too.

, , , , , , , , , ,

The Magic of a Storytelling Nook for Under-5s

The Magic of a Storytelling Nook for Under-5s

A storytelling nook at home is something that children, particularly under-fives, will find magical. It’ll particularly come into its own once winter arrives, being somewhere warm and cosy that children can nestle with a parent, carer, or older sibling. There, they can enjoy high-quality shared moments together. In a corner dedicated to the task, an adult and child can read and share stories, steer clear of inclement weather, and escape on an unlimited number of imaginary adventures. Through the power of the written or spoken word, children’s imaginations can be taken to a myriad of destinations, situations and climes. Sharing stories in such a way will be a truly precious part of their childhood, particularly if undertaken regularly. What’s more, reading with children is proven to benefit little ones enormously. With all this in mind, today’s post outlines how to set up a storytelling nook at home and make it successful for your child.

, , , , , , , ,

The Dangers of Kissing Babies

The Dangers of Kissing Babies & How Parents Can Protect Them

The natural instinct of many adults is to kiss the new baby of a friend or relative. Yet many are unaware of how potentially dangerous kissing an infant baby can be. Indeed, in the worst scenarios, the child could be permanently damaged or even lose their life. As many adults are simply unaware of such dangers, today’s article exposes the risks that a simple kiss can represent to a newborn or infant baby and why it’s essential for parents to take precautions to protect them.

“A nationwide survey of 2,300 new and expectant parents … found that 54% would let friends and family kiss their newborn baby, unaware of the risk of serious infection.” — The Lullaby Trust

, , , , , , , , ,

Deadlines for Free Childcare Codes (Time-Sensitive!)

Deadlines for Free Childcare Codes (Time-Sensitive!)

There are three possible deadlines when applying for free childcare funding for working families and that’s true whether you are applying for the ‘15 hours’ scheme for children aged 9 months to 2 years (inclusive), or the ‘30 hours’ scheme for children aged 3 and 4. And, with a child’s exact age affecting which term they can begin using the free childcare, correct timing of applications is crucial. If you apply too late, you won’t receive your childcare code in time for your child to start in the term you had envisaged. Applying too early is also not a viable option. Put simply, timing misjudgements could leave you and your child high and dry.

With all that in mind, today’s post outlines the application timing requirements for these key childcare funding schemes for working families. It also serves as a reminder that those who want their child to start childcare next term have very limited time left to apply — and receive that all-important childcare funding code.

, , , , , , , , , , ,

38 Weeks, 42 Weeks & All-Year-Round Childcare in Streatham

38 Weeks, 42 Weeks & All-Year-Round Childcare Options in Streatham
At Little Cedars Nursery in Streatham, we offer a range of three main options for weekday childcare and early years education. Some families require all-year-round childcare for their under-five child. Others may prefer (or, if funded through Government schemes, only be eligible for) “term-time” cover over 38 weeks of the year. Between those two options, Little Cedars Nursery also now offers a ‘midway’ solution that provides childcare cover for 42 weeks. In today’s post, we clarify how the options work and differ over the course of the year, including in calendar form so that parents can see the differences graphically. See our overview below and click the calendar image for a larger view. If you have any questions, use one of the contact options at the end of today’s post and we’ll be happy to help.

, , , , , ,

Top Tips for a Successful Primary School Application

Top Tips for a Successful Primary School Application

If you're the parent of a 3-year-old child, or one that's just turning 4, choose your 3 preferred primary schools now and submit your application by mid-January.Are you the parent of a 3-year-old child, or one that’s just turning 4? If so, you need to choose your 3 preferred primary schools now and submit your application for them at the latest by mid-January of the coming year. It’ll be here before you know it! Whether you want your child to begin school at the age of four or five, you have limited time left for your application. With that in mind, today’s post outlines our top tips for a successful primary school application for your preschooler. Read on to learn how to maximise your potential success in achieving a school place that’s best for your child.

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Free Childcare for Children from 9 Months – Now Available in Streatham

Free Childcare for Children from 9 Months – Now Available in Streatham

Childcare funding is now available for eligible children from just 9 months of age.Last year, we announced some radical new childcare funding plans outlined in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s 2023 Spring Budget. Today, we’re happy to confirm that one of the schemes went live this month (September 2024), meaning several hours of free childcare per week are now available for eligible children and babies as young as just 9 months of age. It will be a great help for eligible families, whose children may now be able to benefit from free childcare hours from 9 months of age right up until they start school. In today’s post, we’ll explain the rules around eligibility, exactly how many free childcare hours babies and children can get, and some of the measures we’ve put in place at Little Cedars Nursery to deliver the expanded childcare service to eligible Streatham families.

, , , , , , , , , ,

‘Leaves’ Nature Hunt Activity – with Free Poster

'Leaves’ Nature Hunt – Children's Activity with Free Poster

September marks the start of autumn, which lasts 3 months and brings with it a stunning transition. Green leaves we’ve seen on trees over the summer will gradually change to autumn colours like brown, copper, yellow, beige and even shades of red and purple. This dramatic season of change is a wonderful opportunity to draw children’s attention to the incredible spectacle that takes place every year at this time — as well as to the wonders of nature more generally. Let’s not forget that nature is incredibly good for little ones too, so inspiring them to take an interest in spending time around nature will be beneficial to children in a myriad of ways. With that in mind, today’s post includes the release of a free ‘leaves’ reference poster for families to print out and use as the starting point for one or more nature/autumn-themed children’s activities.