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Stem Cell Banking for Babies

An Introductory Guide for Parents

Stem Cell Banking for Babies: An Introductory Guide for Parents

Today, we discuss the potential benefits of storing children’s stem cells when they’re born. Rather like the building blocks of life, these are miraculous cells that have the ability to change into other types of cells. This includes blood and platelet cells, bone marrow, muscles, skin, and many other organs in the human body. By harvesting and storing children’s stem cells, they can be available later on for potentially life-saving treatments should the need ever arise. What’s more, the stem cells will be a perfect match for the child and will be immediately accessible. That’s hugely beneficial, in stark contrast to cells from unknown donors, which usually require significant time to search for, often without success. It’s even more of a challenge for children of mixed heritage, where matches on public registers are usually significantly less numerous.

Parents who decide to store their child’s stem cells often consider it rather like an insurance policy for their child’s health, safe in the knowledge that the stored cells will be a 100% match for their child should they be needed. What’s more, they could even be a match, or partial match, for a child’s siblings and other family members. That’s a potentially life-saving lifeline for families to possess.

At the time of writing, and according to experts, it’s believed that some stem cells can remain viable for as many as 27 years¹ if suitably stored. It’s feasible that this timeframe may increase as technology and techniques progress.

When Is the Best Time to Collect a Child’s Stem Cells?

According to experts, the best time to collect a child’s stem cells is when they’re born. They’re collected from blood from the child’s umbilical cord and placenta, where the stem cells are particularly concentrated. The process takes just minutes. And, because the timing is at birth when the baby is going to be separated from the placenta anyway, harvesting the stem cells does not interfere with delivery, is non-invasive, and is free from pain and risk.

What Can Stored Stem Cells Be Used For?

Stem cells are already used, as standard, to treat over 85 conditions and have been used in over 50,000 transplants in recent decades — more than 2000 each year in the UK alone.

Two key types of stem cell are can be collected at the time of birth, each of which has the potential to cure life-threatening conditions:

    1. Hematopoietic stem cells can treat conditions that involve blood. For example, they can repair or even remake white and red blood cells and platelets to cure conditions like leukaemia, anaemia, bone marrow cancers, platelet abnormalities, immune system disorders, and even some tumours.
    2. Mesenchymal stem cells can develop into different kinds of tissue. For example, they can develop into muscle, fat, and bone.

Scientists hope that, as research develops, more and more conditions will be treatable using cord blood stem cells. Conditions like Alzheimer’s, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Type 2 Diabetes, and Osteoarthritis are already among the 300 or so conditions undergoing new clinical trials using such cells.

Collection & Storage

Immediately following birth, the harvested cord blood and, if applicable, a section of the umbilical cord itself, will be placed into a special storage kit designed for the purpose. This is usually then collected by a medical courier and transported to the receiving laboratory. Here, the blood will be processed to separate out the cord stem cells. These are then cryogenically frozen, i.e. at an extremely low temperature, to preserve them potentially for years and years.

Private vs. Public Stem Cell Storage — & Fees

Parents have two key options when it comes to storing their children’s stem cells.

  • The first is a private stem cell bank where, for a fee, a child’s stem cells will be stored and be available only for that child/family. There may be an annual storage fee in addition to the initial up-front price, although some private providers offer the option of a bundled number of years from the outset (we’ve seen up to 25 years). Please note that parents should do their own due diligence when selecting a provider.
  • The second is a public stem cell bank, which is usually free. However, with public cell banks including the NHS Cord Blood Bank in the UK, the stem cells will be available to any patient who needs them. Parents interested in donating can contact the NHS Cord Blood Bank directly or start the process via their antenatal team. Follow the bold blue link for some additional useful information, caveats, etc.

Final Thoughts

Saving your baby’s stem cells is certainly worth considering. Whether you choose a private stem cell bank or a public one, there seems to be no downside to harvesting and storing stem cells. They’re miraculous little things that can transform and even save lives many years after they were collected — incredible! So, if you are planning a family or are already expecting a baby, consider learning more about storing stem cells from your baby once they’re born. You’ll need to plan ahead to make the appropriate arrangements. And, who knows, they could one day save lives!

Little Cedars Day Nursery

A High-Quality Nursery Providing Weekday Childcare in Streatham

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.Little Cedars is a high-quality nursery based in Streatham. Our team of early years professionals delivers a first-class childcare service for babies, toddlers, and children under five. The setting is a warm, safe and nurturing environment that brings out the best in them. Operating on weekdays almost all year round, we are ideally located for families living in Streatham, Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, Streatham Park, Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. We have a good Ofsted rating and support funded places for eligible children and babies.

Start your child’s nursery journey today by contacting the Little Cedars Nursery team — we’d love to receive your nursery application, show you and your little one around, or answer any questions:

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[1] Hal Broxmeyer, Larry Luchsinger, Rona Weinberg, Alexandra Jimenez, Emeline Masson Frenet, Wouter van’t Hof, Maegan Capitano, Christopher Hillyer, Mark Kaplan, Scott Cooper, James Ropa, Abstract 16 Insights into Highly Engraftable Hematopoietic Cells from 27-Year Cryopreserved Umbilical Cord Blood, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Volume 12, Issue Supplement_1, September 2023, Page S18, https://doi.org/10.1093/stcltm/szad047.017

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A Complete Guide to Gentle Parenting

A Complete Guide to Gentle Parenting

In a follow-up to our Rough Guide to Parenting Styles and subsequent Complete Guide to Authoritative Parenting, we now take a deeper dive into Gentle Parenting. There has been much discussion and debate around this style of parenting in recent times, particularly on social media platforms. The style has experienced great popularity among many parents, but has also drawn criticism from others. There has also been some confusion about where it sits in comparison to other similar styles. Is it the same, or different? Well, one could argue that gentle parenting is somewhere between permissive parenting and ‘pure’ authoritative parenting. It has similarities to both, particularly authoritative parenting, and could be described as a softer version, or even a sub-category, of it. Part of today’s guide will touch on such similarities as well as clear differences between the three styles. We’ll also take a look at any benefits or challenges associated with the gentle parenting style. With all that in mind, welcome to today’s Complete Guide to Gentle Parenting.

What is Gentle Parenting?

At the heart of Gentle Parenting is empathy, kindness, respect, and a close bond between a parent and child.At the heart of Gentle Parenting is empathy, kindness, respect, and a close bond between a parent and child. Such connections are given priority over control and obedience, and there are no punishments as such. Instead, gentle parenting uses a type of “positive discipline” where children’s behaviour is guided softly, in a measured way, without fear, threat, or punishment. ‘Gentle’ parents work with children to solve a problem collaboratively while, of course, acting to keep them and everyone else safe.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that gentle parenting gives children no discipline and no boundaries. It gives them both, but they are applied in gentle, empathetic, reasoned, and collaborative ways.

That said, it’s important to understand that gentle parenting is not the same as permissive parenting, where it could be argued that anything goes so long as children are happy. In contrast, with gentle parenting, rules and boundaries are imposed — albeit through empathy, explanation, and sympathetic guidance. Respectful communication, the acknowledgement of children’s feelings — even when behaviours are challenging — and an understanding of young children’s developmental limitations are all part of this. After all, under-fives have ‘big’ emotions and don’t always understand why their feelings are as they are, nor why their emotions sometimes reach a tipping point.

“Every single behaviour communicates some sort of unmet need or underdeveloped skill.” — Kelly Medina Enos, Parenting Coach.

So, with gentle parenting, parents very much tune into children’s emotions and listen carefully to their opinions, needs, and perspectives. They then gently reason with children not so much to tell them what they can’t do, but more to explain what they can do. So, for example, rather than saying ‘No!’ to a toddler trying to climb onto a coffee table, they may instead tell them it’s better to keep their feet on the ground so they don’t fall off and hurt themselves. It works many times because young children often switch off to too many negative commands like ‘Stop that!’ and ‘No’. That said, there are, of course, times when such exclamations cannot be avoided, for example, during times of imminent danger when urgency is paramount so as to keep a child from harm.

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Key Traits of Gentle Parenting

Gentle parenting typically has the following traits:

  • It has a high level of emotional warmth towards the child.
  • Its discipline style is very soft and empathetic.
  • Rules and boundaries exist, but have a high degree of flexibility.
  • Consequences (i.e. threats or imposition of punishments) are usually avoided.
  • There is a high level of connection between the parent and the child.
  • Parents work with the child through collaboration.

How Does Gentle Parenting Differ From Authoritative Parenting?

Gentle parenting shares most of authoritative parenting’s values — kindness, respect, emotional warmth and deep connections between parent and child — and could even be described as a sub-category or variant of that model. However, there are some subtle traits of gentle parenting that separate it a little from the ‘pure’ authoritative parenting model. With gentle parenting, power struggles and conflict are avoided and therefore parents rarely threaten or apply ‘consequences’. In contrast, the authoritative parenting approach to discipline could be described as more clearly structured and firm, although also remaining empathetic. And, while both styles require parents to listen carefully to children and guide rather than forcefully controlling them, gentle parenting allows comparatively more flexibility in the application of the rules, structure, and boundaries. As the name implies, gentle parenting is exactly that — more gentle in its approach — and treats children in the way that we might perhaps have appreciated ourselves when we were children. It should not, however, be confused with permissive parenting, which we’ll compare below.

How Does Gentle Parenting Compare to Permissive Parenting?

While gentle parenting uses a softer approach to the pure version of authoritative parenting, it is by no means as soft as permissive parenting. While all three value kindness, respect, emotional warmth and deep connections, permissive parenting goes further by reducing boundaries and structure almost completely. Happiness is prioritised at the expense of structure and consistency. Indeed, one could argue that, with permissive parenting, anything goes. That is not the case with gentle parenting, which applies structure, rules, and boundaries, albeit in a softly-softly, collaborative way.

“Gentle parenting does not equate to permissiveness. It involves setting clear and consistent boundaries while offering children age-appropriate choices within those boundaries. This fosters a sense of autonomy and helps children learn to make responsible decisions” — PositivePsychology.com

The Benefits of Gentle Parenting

Because so much focus is given to understanding and validating a child’s perspective and emotions, a child raised through gentle parenting will feel more ‘heard’ than with many other parenting styles. They will also be dealing with a parent who is calm, kind, and respectful to them. That is good role-modelling and, as such, is an approach that a child is more likely to adopt.

Gentle parenting usually also results in deep, loving and healthy connections between parent and child — long-term bonds that form a strong and important backbone to family life.

As with ‘pure’ authoritative parenting, children raised via the gentle parenting variant tend to have healthy levels of resilience, self-esteem, confidence, and emotional intelligence. They will feel heard, respected, and understood by parents, with whom they have secure and trusting bonds. Interestingly, they also tend to become higher academic achievers than those brought up with contrasting parenting models.

Challenges Associated With Gentle Parenting

While gentle parenting has become very popular amongst young families in recent years, being a comparatively new term also means that not much academic research exists about it. So, it’s tricky to scientifically compare it to other parenting styles that may have more evidence attached to them — for example, ‘pure’ authoritative parenting, which has been studied for years and is often cited as the ‘gold standard’ of parenting models.

There is also a danger that, if applied too softly, gentle parenting could drift more towards permissive parenting, an indulgent model where anything goes, and happiness is given priority over the learning of rules, self-discipline, self-control, responsibility, and perhaps even accountability.

Another potential challenge for parents switching for the first time to gentle parenting is the possible need for them to adapt their use of language. Initially, for example, it can be tricky to consistently avoid negative commands (‘No!’, ‘Don’t do that!’, ‘Stop!’, etc.) in favour of explaining what a child can do instead. Likewise, it may be difficult, at first, to remember to listen proactively to the child’s perspective and only then show or explain logically what an appropriate behaviour or action might be. Such things are opportunities for teachable moments, though, and are therefore potentially much more powerful than barking orders without explanation or empathy.

Key Takeaways — Which Parenting Style is Best?

Is there a ‘best’ parenting style? Well, each has its own benefits and challenges, and parents may, by necessity, sometimes need to switch between models depending on the situation. Some, however, are clearly better for children than others. Indeed, as we’ve said before, authoritative parenting has, for some years, been seen as the gold standard of parenting styles. And gentle parenting is often cited as simply a softer version of it. By definition, therefore, gentle parenting has significant and proven merits. It’s therefore not surprising that it’s so popular on parent forums and social media. (That is except, of course, when it’s mistaken for permissive parenting, which it is not).

Weighing up all the pros and cons of the various parenting styles, one could easily argue that the sweet spot is close to authoritative and properly executed gentle parenting — there is little doubt that outcomes are very good with each. However, how styles are best chosen or blended by parents will depend on several things. Factors will include the specific situation, the child’s age, their temperament, and, to an extent, how much time a parent has available in that moment. The best styles take time — but are hugely beneficial to the child. There will be a few times, however, when they just won’t cut it, like when a child is about to do something extremely dangerous — an abrupt and authoritarian ‘Stop!’ will always have its place in such urgent situations. There is no doubt that parenting is hard. It is okay, therefore, that it’s most likely to be a balancing act between styles as situations present themselves. That said, parents could do much worse than choosing gentle or authoritative parenting as their core style.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all, and you don’t have to commit to a label. The best parenting style is the one that helps you build a strong, respectful relationship with your child—while guiding them to thrive in the real world.” — WholeMindPsychology.com

Little Cedars Nursery

Your High-Quality Childcare Service in Streatham

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.Little Cedars Nursery provides a high-quality childcare service in Streatham, has a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating, and supports free childcare hours for eligible families. We’re located in Streatham, close to Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, and Streatham Park and also represent a convenient choice for families around Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.

Click an option below to get started on your child’s nursery journey today — we look forward to hearing from you!

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Complete Guide to Authoritative Parenting

Complete Guide to Authoritative Parenting: Its Benefits and Positive Outcomes

Our preceding article explained, in brief, the key differences between commonly discussed parenting styles. Today, we look at one of them, Authoritative Parenting, in much more detail. It’s a style that’s generally well thought of amongst researchers and developmental psychologists, as well as many parents who’ve used the approach. Indeed it is a style that’s often recommended because of the way it balances empathetic nurturing with the application of rules. While it’s important to remember that there is no single ‘best’ parenting style for every situation, authoritative parenting does seem to result in very good outcomes and is thought by many to be the ‘gold standard’ for children and teens. Let’s take a deeper dive.

Alert Alert

It’s important not to confuse authoritative parenting with authoritarian parenting. Despite the similar names, the two styles could not be more different. See our Rough Guide to Parenting Styles for a quick overview of the differences.

The Origins of Authoritative Parenting

The Authoritative Parenting model was originally developed at the University of California in 1966 by Diana Baumrind. That said, it has evolved over the decades since, with backing from developmental research. It’s a style that seems to work well for children of all ages as well as teenagers.

Exactly What is Authoritative Parenting?

The authoritative parenting style uses an age-appropriate — and finely-tuned — balance between responsiveness (towards children) and demandingness (from children).

The Responsiveness Element

The responsiveness element of authoritative parenting refers to the high levels of warmth, empathy, love, and understanding shown to the child by the parent. Authoritative parents are deeply attuned to their children’s feelings, needs, abilities, and perspectives. They gauge such things and weigh up the balance at any given time. Only then do they respond, in a way they feel is most appropriate, having borne the bigger picture in mind.

The Demandingness Element

The demandingness element of authoritative parenting refers to the level of control over and desired expectation from their child. Standards and boundaries are enforced but in a very measured, kind, and thoughtful way. Authoritative parents use a two-way communication approach to makes clear what’s expected from their children. They will discuss and explain things, often in advance. In this way, the child not only knows what to expect, but also understands why it is expected. That’s in stark contrast to some of the other parenting models that expect blind obedience without explanation.

What About Discipline?

Strong assertions of parental power and harsh discipline are seldom, if ever, used with the authoritative parenting style. If they are used, it would tend to be only as a last resort and most likely only in a ‘danger’ scenario. An example would be shouting at a child to stop them running out into a busy road.

Achievements Are Celebrated

As well as thoughtful guiding of children, their achievements, however small or large, are celebrated. In this way, positive outcomes are used to further encourage children to continue using a good approach and appropriate behaviour.

Key Elements of Authoritative Parenting:

  • Warmth and empathy towards the child
  • A firm but fair and nurturing approach
  • The child’s feelings are always considered
  • High levels of involvement by parents
  • The setting of age-appropriate standards
  • A clear structure with well-defined rules
  • Reframing mistakes as learning opportunities

  • Praise and rewards in favour of punishments
  • Where discipline is used, parents explain why
  • Children having some input into goal setting
  • Clear communication from parent to child
  • Encouraging communication from the child
  • The celebrating of the child’s achievements
  • Positive relationships between parent and child

Likely Outcomes for Children Raised Through Authoritative Parenting

Compared to children raised via other parenting styles, children and adolescents raised through an authoritative parenting approach have very favourable outcomes. This has been backed up by many studies. For starters, they usually perform better academically and are well-motivated to succeed. They are often creative, take the initiative, and are highly curious intellectually. They’re self-reliant and independent, with good self-control and a good awareness of appropriate boundaries. Risk assessment is good. They also tend to be happy, have better mental health, and good emotional regulation. They also have good social skills, are respectful to others, and have a healthy level of self-esteem. They have a healthy level of connection to both friends and parents. Studies also find that children raised by authoritative parents are less likely to go on to misuse drugs or alcohol. It’s a comprehensive suite of benefits.

Are There Any Pitfalls of Authoritative Parenting?

There are few, if any, pitfalls to well-executed authoritative parenting. Perhaps the only consideration relates to the amount of focus, effort, and consistency required on the part of the parents. While such a balance is totally feasible in the most part, perhaps on extra-busy, tiring, or stressful days, one could be forgiven for letting things slip a little.

Final Thoughts

Any parenting style(s) may, of course, require continual adjustment because life seldom travels in a straight, predictable line. For example, when it comes to authoritative parenting, sometimes the balance between warmth and expectations may need to tilt more in one direction than the other. This could be because of a specific scenario. One that involves an urgent safety concern would be a classic example. At other times, however, the balance between the two may tilt back the other way because the situation has changed. In essence, it all comes back to the balance between ‘responsiveness’ and ‘demandingness’ that we discussed earlier. Indeed, it is a fine balance, and it’s not always possible to get it 100% right; parenting is challenging and, at the end of the day, we can only do our best in the circumstances that life throws at us.

Little Cedars: Your Childcare Nursery in Streatham

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.Little Cedars is a weekday childcare nursery in Streatham that’s ‘rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. In our wonderful home-from-home setting, we provide high-quality childcare for babies and children under five. We’re located in Streatham, near Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, and Streatham Park and may also suit those living nearby in Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. Free childcare hours are supported for eligible children aged 9 months to 4 years.

Explore a possible nursery place for your child at Little Cedars Day Nursery today. Simple choose one of the following options to get started:

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Parenting Styles – A Rough Guide

Rough Guide to Parenting Styles

Parenting can feel overwhelming at times, especially in the early years when babies, toddlers and preschoolers are growing and changing rapidly. So, it’s natural for parents to self-reflect and ask themselves whether their particular parenting approach is the most appropriate for their child. Are they getting it right? Do they intervene too much, are boundaries too vague, is discipline too lenient, or are they too strict? It’s often difficult to know what’s best. Moreover, what exactly are the differences between gentle parenting, permissive parenting, authoritative parenting and the many other parenting styles? It can be confusing!

In light of such conundrums, today’s guide helps to briefly explain many of the different parenting styles that you may have heard of or read about. These are broad parenting styles that have, over time, been identified by researchers, early years professionals, social media, and the press. They aren’t labels to judge parents by, but helpful ways of understanding how adults can balance warmth, boundaries, involvement and independence to varying degrees. Each combination will affect a child — and outcomes — in different ways. What’s more, your family situation, the child’s age, the stage of their development, and other factors may all play a part in deciding which could be the best fit. Take a look and see which style(s) may be the most appropriate for you and your child.

Authoritative parenting

Authoritative parenting is often seen as a strong foundation for early childhood.Authoritative parenting is often seen as a strong, nurturing foundation for early childhood. It’s balanced somewhere between permissive parenting and authoritarian parenting.

With the authoritative parenting style, parents set age-appropriate rules, while children are encouraged to express their feelings and opinions. Parents remain calm, confident leaders and reason with their children. Such an approach can be particularly reassuring for toddlers and preschoolers, who need adults to set safe limits while they learn to better understand the world around them.

Benefits: Children raised with this approach often develop strong self-esteem, emotional regulation, and resilience. They tend to feel secure, understood, and confident in exploring the world. Evidence also suggests that they are higher academic achievers.

Challenges: This style requires time, emotional energy and consistency on the part of the parent, which can sometimes be difficult, for example, during periods of stress or exhaustion.

Learn much more about authoritative parenting here.

It’s important not to confuse Authoritative parenting with Authoritarian parenting, which we’ll come to next.

Authoritarian parenting

Authoritarian parenting is a style that's highly structured, but low in emotional flexibility.Authoritarian parenting is a style that’s highly structured, but low in emotional flexibility. With this parenting style, parents expect blind obedience without question, don’t often explain the reasons for rules, and are highly controlling.

Benefits: Children may learn discipline and clear rules quickly.

Challenges: This approach can limit emotional expression, independence and confidence. Some children may comply outwardly while struggling internally, for example, with anxiety and low self-esteem.

Gentle parenting

Gentle parenting uses a relationship-led approach that's rooted in empathy.Gentle parenting is rather like a softer variant of authoritative parenting and uses a relationship-led approach that’s rooted in empathy.

Boundaries still exist, but they are maintained calmly and without punishment. Rather than constantly saying ‘No!’ and ‘Don’t do that!’ parents collaborate with children and agree what they can instead do. This can be especially helpful in the early years, when babies and toddlers are learning to understand big emotions that they can’t yet understand or control.

Benefits: Gentle parenting supports emotional intelligence, secure attachment and trust. With this approach, children learn that their feelings are valid, respected, and manageable, whilst being offered age-appropriate choices within clear boundaries set by parents.

Challenges: If boundaries are allowed to become unclear or inconsistently maintained, gentle parenting can be confusing to the child, or unintentionally drift towards permissive parenting.

Learn more about gentle parenting here.

Permissive parenting

Permissive parenting prioritises happiness, but structure and consistency are limited.Permissive parenting (sometimes also known as ‘indulgent parenting’) utilises a loving and warm approach towards children, but is often under-structured due to a reluctance to enforce rules.

The intention is usually to protect the relationship and prioritise happiness, especially during emotionally intense toddler or preschool years. However, this comes at the expense of both structure and consistency, which are limited.

Benefits: Children may feel emotionally supported, have high self-esteem, and feel free to express themselves. They are often also quite resourceful.

Challenges: A lack of clear boundaries can make it harder for children to develop self-regulation. They can therefore become less responsible and lack self-discipline. Limits would otherwise help children feel safe and better understand expectations. Studies have even shown a correlation between a permissive upbringing and sleep problems, as well as somewhat lower levels of academic performance.

Helicopter parenting

Helicopter parenting means that parents are very involved — sometimes too involved.Helicopter parenting means that parents are very involved — sometimes too involved — often micromanaging the child’s every move.

Over-intervention (or ‘over-parenting’) can limit opportunities for problem-solving, independence and resilience in children. In early years settings, children benefit from trying things for themselves and learning through trial and error — with a trusted adult close by to offer guidance if needed, rather than stepping in immediately.

Benefits: Children may feel well-supported and protected.

Challenges: Over-involvement can reduce resilience, independence, problem-solving abilities, and confidence, having reduced opportunities for the child to learn from mistakes. It has also been linked to a feeling of entitlement when children are older, anxiety, depression, and more.

Velcro parenting

Velcro parenting denotes a strong level of closeness, and slow level of separation.Velcro parenting denotes a strong level of closeness and a slow level of separation — a kind of hyper-involvement.

With velcro parenting, the parent seems closely attached to the child in every way — physically, emotionally, socially, and so on.  They will shadow their child’s activities and experiences, getting closely involved at every step.

Benefits: Children may feel deeply connected, nurtured, understood, and emotionally secure in their parents’ presence.

Challenges: This style can unintentionally increase separation anxiety and make transitions harder, particularly when babies grow into toddlers and begin nursery or preschool. Independence and resilience may develop more slowly. Parents may also be adversely affected by this parenting style, particularly if the child has, in turn, become a ‘velcro child’ or baby, leading to separation anxiety.

Uninvolved parenting

Uninvolved parenting is evidenced by low engagement and limited support for the child.Uninvolved parenting (also sometimes known as ‘neglectful parenting’) is evidenced by low engagement, a low level of warmth, and limited support for the child.

This parenting style is sometimes linked to external pressures, stress, or a lack of support. It’s important to note that families that it applies to may need understanding and help, rather than judgement.

Benefits: It seems counterintuitive, as a parent, to think of any benefits of uninvolved parenting for a child. That said, children affected may develop independence, self-reliance and problem-solving skills — purely out of necessity.

Challenges: Children may struggle with emotional security, attachment, behaviour and self-worth due to a lack of parental warmth, support, and consistent boundaries.

Is there a ‘best’ parenting style for young children?

Research consistently suggests that approaches combining warmth, responsiveness and clear boundaries — such as authoritative and well-applied gentle parenting — best support children’s emotional wellbeing and long-term development, particularly in the crucial early years from birth to five.

At Little Cedars Day Nursery, we work in partnership with families, recognising that parenting — especially in the baby, toddler and preschool years — is a journey. By understanding these different styles, parents can make informed, confident choices that support their child’s growth, both at home and in early years settings. We may publish more comprehensive information about each individual style in future blog posts, so do come back to our blog area regularly — new articles are added at least twice every month.

Weekday Childcare at Little Cedars Day Nursery, Streatham

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.Little Cedars is a wonderful Streatham nursery that provides first-class weekday childcare to families with children under five. Perfectly located for those in Streatham, Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, and Streatham Park, we are also conveniently close to those nearby in Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. We support free childcare schemes for eligible children aged from just 9 months and have a  ‘Good’ Ofsted rating in all categories.

Get started on your application today, arrange a tour, or get in touch with any questions — we’re here to help!

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Apply by 31 December for Funded Childcare in January!

Apply by 31 December for Funded Childcare in January!

Today’s post is an urgent reminder: if you want your child to benefit from free, government-funded childcare hours from January, you must apply for the funding no later than 31 December. That’s the case whether you’re a new applicant or an existing one for the types of childcare support that require a code. If you miss the 31 December deadline, you’ll have no code to give your provider — meaning they won’t be able to provide free childcare hours to your child for the whole of that term. So — time is of the essence! Today, we bring you more detailed information and a reminder of how and where to apply, so you’re not out of pocket or without childcare from the term starting this January.

“If you do not apply on or before the deadline, you will not be able to take up your entitlements in that term.” ∞

Which Childcare Funding Schemes Require a Code?

There are several ways the UK Government supports eligible children with childcare funding. Of those, the most popular childcare funding schemes in England that require a code are:

  1. 30 hours of free childcare per week for eligible working families with children aged from 9 months to 4 years inclusive. That’s 1140 free childcare hours per year. (Learn more).
  2. 15 hours of free childcare per week for disadvantaged children, aged 2, from households that receive some additional Government support — e.g., benefits like Universal Credit, JSA, Disability Living Allowance, and others. The 15 hours per week, for 38 weeks of the year, represent 570 hours of free childcare per annum. (Learn more).

Another popular scheme, which provides 15 hours of free childcare per week (570 per year) to all children aged 3 and 4 living in England, is known as the Universal Entitlement. However, this scheme does not require a code.

There are also additional schemes, for example, Tax-Free Childcare and support for student parents.

Confused About Which Childcare Support Your Child is Entitled To?

It can be confusing trying to work out which, if any, childcare funding/support schemes your child may be entitled to. However, the UK Government has a useful online tool that allows you to quickly and easily check what childcare support your child is entitled to. Click the bold blue link and answer a few simple questions. Within just a few moments, the options that apply to you will be confirmed.

“We recommend parents speak with their chosen provider about when they will be able to offer them a place.”  — BestStartinLife.gov.uk

Check if a Childcare Place is Available

You will, of course, need to check whether a funded childcare place is actually available locally for your child. After researching local providers, check with your preferred childcare provider first — or with an alternative if your first choice has no availability for your child. Bear in mind that some providers also have waiting lists, so don’t leave it too late.

“If your chosen provider doesn’t have a place available, we advise that you explore other providers in your local area.”  — BestStartinLife.gov.uk

Apply for Childcare Funding & Your All-Important Code

When you’re confident you know which type of childcare support you are entitled to, and have lined up a provider, you’ll need to apply for the funding and all-important code, where applicable.

  • For childcare support for working parents, apply online on the Gov.uk website in order to obtain your code.
  • For childcare support for disadvantaged 2-year-olds who receive some additional form of support, apply via your local council to get your code.
  • For the Universal Entitlement scheme for all 3 and 4-year-olds living in England, contact your preferred childcare provider directly. No code is required, but you’ll need to provide your child’s birth certificate and sign a form.

You will need to reconfirm eligibility every 3 months, via your Childcare Account, to continue receiving the childcare funding/support. Emailed reminders will be sent to you 2 and 4 weeks before the deadlines for reconfirmation.

The Application Deadline

The deadline for applying for childcare codes is the last day of the month that precedes the start of the term. So:

  • For the January term, apply for your code no later than 31 December.
  • For the April term, apply for your code no later than 31 March.
  • For the September term, apply for your code no later than 31 August.

That said, we urge families to apply ideally at least 6 weeks earlier than the deadline, not least because some childcare providers ask for codes earlier than the deadlines specified above. Applying early will also allow time to iron out any unexpected issues that may arise.

After Applying

After applying, most families find out whether their application is successful right away — and receive their code immediately if so. However, sometimes it takes longer, which is another reason not to leave applications until the last minute.

NOTE: Failure to successfully apply by the deadline will mean that your child is unlikely to be able to receive funding for that entire term.

DON’T FORGET: You will need to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months.

Good luck with your application!

Nursery Places at Little Cedars Nursery, Streatham

Little Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury and Colliers Wood.Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderAre you looking for a childcare place in Streatham? If you have a baby, toddler, or child under five and live nearby, consider Little Cedars Day Nursery in Streatham for your weekday childcare. We are rated as a Good Provider by Ofsted, offer a home-from-home and nurturing environment for your child, and support various childcare funding schemes for eligible families. We also offer a stretched (51-week) provision that spreads free childcare hours over the whole year.  As well as providing a childcare service to families in Streatham, we may also suit those living nearby in places like Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. Choose an option to get in touch today:

Apply for a Place Arrange a Visit or Message Us 020 8677 9675
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A New Approach to Ofsted Ratings: A Guide for Parents

A New Approach to Ofsted Ratings: A Guide for Parents

A new approach to Ofsted ratings officially launched in November 2025, as part of a new Education Inspection Framework. Parents of children attending early years settings, schools, and further education, will therefore soon begin to see the new-style Ofsted ‘Report Cards’ that will be published following inspections. These are designed to replace — and improve upon — the previous one-word Ofsted rating system, which had become controversial∞. Gone will be what became known as the “single word judgements” on settings (previously a choice between Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate). Instead, parents will see a much more detailed ‘Report Card’ that combines at-a-glance headline information with multiple sub-section details. The idea is to give parents a more comprehensive view of how schools and settings measure up across a broad range of performance metrics, as well as providing important context. In essence, parents will be able to easily and quickly identify areas of strength, as well as those that require development. In today’s post, we take a look at Ofsted’s new Report Card and explain how it works.

The New Performance Metrics

The single ‘Overall Effectiveness’ grade has now been retired. Instead, Ofsted will assess settings across a range of key areas and confirm their evaluation of each one separately on the new Report Card. For each, they will use a 5-point scale, with the exception of Safeguarding, which we’ll come to separately in a moment.

The 5-Point Assessment Scale

Example of the new Ofsted report card.Except for Safeguarding, the new Report Card will show Ofsted’s evaluation of each of the assessment areas as one of the following:

  • Exceptional — the highest quality provision (indicated in blue);
  • Strong standard (indicated in dark green);
  • Expected standard (indicated in bright green);
  • Needs attention (indicated in orange); or
  • Urgent improvement (indicated in red).

The Report Card will use colour-coding, as indicated above in brackets.

Key Areas of Assessment

For Early Years Settings

For early years settings, Ofsted will evaluate the following areas of provision:

  • Safeguarding,
  • Inclusion,
  • Curriculum and teaching,
  • Achievement,
  • Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines,
  • Children’s welfare and well-being, and
  • Leadership and governance.

For Schools

For schools* inspected by Ofsted, they will evaluate a slightly different list of key areas:

  • Safeguarding,
  • Inclusion,
  • Curriculum and teaching,
  • Achievement,
  • Attendance and behaviour,
  • Personal development and well-being, and
  • Leadership and governance.

* Early years and/or sixth form education will also be assessed if schools provide them. In parallel to the above, independent schools will also continue to be assessed against the ‘independent schools standards’.

For Further Education & Skills Providers

The list of key areas of assessment for further education settings and skills providers is longer still. As today’s guide pertains to younger children, however, such a list can be viewed separately here.

Safeguarding

Because the safety and welfare of children is paramount, Ofsted’s assessment of a setting’s Safeguarding features separately in the new Ofsted Report Card. That’s for all types of settings, whether they’re early years providers, schools, further education, or skills providers.

How will that look? The new Report Card will show the result for the assessment of Safeguarding clearly as either Met (with a green tick) or Not Met. More detail will be available by opening a drop-down ‘show/hide’ selector and sub-link (shown below).

Ofsted's assessment of Safeguarding features separately in the new Ofsted Report Card.

More Details on the Ofsted Report Cards

As well as assigning a finding of either Met or Not Met to the Safeguarding element and rating each of the other key areas using the 5-point scale, Ofsted will provide extra narrative to explain each of the findings in more detail. In tandem with this, additional commentary will provide contextual information, such as any relevant SEND, demographic, or other factors that may explain the story behind the grades. Additional narrative providing an overview of what it’s like to attend the setting will also be included. These expandable narrative sections will be displayed below the more prominent colour-coded assessment grid and Safeguarding section.

Ofsted will provide extra narrative, via expandable sub-sections, to explain each of the findings in more detail.

Final Thoughts

The new Ofsted report cards intend to give families both an at-a-glance snapshot and more comprehensive details that outline strengths — and any areas that require development — for educational settings like nurseries, schools, colleges, etc. By showing their evaluation of a whole raft of key areas in this way, Ofsted is aiming to give parents a clearer picture of each setting. That’s in stark contrast to the historical “single word judgements” that we’ve been used to – until now. It does make sense — after all, no single word can ever tell the whole story or sum up a unique and complex service.

Not everyone is convinced the changes go far enough. However, Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector for Education, Children’s Services and Skills, has said that the new system should be fairer and better for parents, while also providing tangible and financial support to any settings in difficulty. The government expects the new system to raise standards for children, which is incredibly important — and what it’s all about at the end of the day. Learn about the new education inspection framework in more detail here.

Little Cedars Nursery – a Good Provider

Looking for a High-Quality Nursery/Preschool in Streatham?

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.We haven’t yet been graded using the new Ofsted rating system, so we don’t yet have one of the new-style ‘report cards’. However, Ofsted rated us as a Good Provider in their most recent report, so you know your little one is in safe hands if you send them to Little Cedars Nursery, Streatham. If you’d like to explore a possible nursery or preschool place for your child at this wonderful setting close to Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, Streatham Park, Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood, get in touch — or start your application today. We’d love to show you and your child around and answer any questions. We also support funded childcare places for eligible families.

Apply for a Place Arrange a Visit or Message Us 020 8677 9675
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Sleep Consultants for Babies and Toddlers: A Parent’s Guide

Sleep Consultants for Babies and Toddlers — A Parent’s Guide

When bedtime has become a battle, a sleep consultant can offer support.Sleepless nights are something most parents expect when a new baby arrives. But sometimes those broken nights can stretch on for months, through into toddlerhood, or even beyond. For affected families, bedtime can become a battle every night, and soon the exhaustion can build up and take its toll. High-quality sleep is important for little ones too, of course, so solving sleep problems will benefit the entire household. For parents who have perhaps tried everything without success, a sleep consultant can step in to offer support and professional guidance.

At Little Cedars Nursery, we often hear parents sharing stories of early morning wake-ups, tricky nap times, or little ones who seem determined to party at midnight. It’s important to know that these challenges are common, and they don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Sometimes, though, an extra helping hand can make all the difference. So, with that in mind, welcome to today’s guide to sleep consultants.

What Exactly is a Sleep Consultant?

A sleep consultant is someone who works alongside parents to help babies and young children develop healthier sleep patterns.

Some consultants have backgrounds in health visiting, nursing, or childcare, while others have trained through specialist sleep programmes. Because there isn’t formal regulation for the specialism in the UK, approaches can vary. In view of this, it’s advisable to ask about their experience and methods, and seek any recommendations from friends and family, before choosing your child’s sleep consultant.

What Does a Sleep Consultant Do?

A sleep consultant works with families to understand a child’s sleep patterns and suggest gentle, practical ways to improve things.A sleep consultant works with families to understand a child’s sleep patterns and suggest gentle, practical ways to improve things. They spend time learning about a child’s routine, feeding habits, daily schedule, and sleep environment before creating an improvement plan that feels realistic for the child’s family. The idea isn’t about handing parents a rigid set of rules, but about working together to find an approach that feels the most suitable and fits in with the family’s values.

When Might a Family Consider Using One?

Every child has ups and downs with sleep, and many phases resolve themselves. But if night waking is relentless, naps are a constant struggle, or early mornings begin long before dawn, it can start to impact the whole household. Parents sometimes seek help when they feel they’ve tried everything themselves — advice from books, friends, or online forums — but nothing seems to have worked. A consultant offers not just ideas, but reassurance and encouragement, which can be just as valuable as the plan itself.

What to Expect

Working with a sleep consultant often begins with a thorough conversation about your child’s routine.Working with a sleep consultant often begins with a thorough conversation about your child’s routine — what time they go to bed, how they fall asleep, how they feed, and what happens during the night. From there, the consultant will create a personalised plan that involves tailored changes. These might be small adjustments, such as introducing a calmer wind-down before bed, or they could involve gradually teaching your child to settle with less help. It may also include strategies for how you respond when your child wakes in the night.

Putting the plan into practice takes consistency and patience, which is why many consultants often stay in touch for several weeks, checking in by phone, video call, or messages. That ongoing support can make the process feel less daunting and also help keep families on track.

Different Approaches to Sleep

Not every consultant works in the same way. Some focus on gentle, responsive methods where parents stay close, offering comfort and reassurance as children learn to settle more independently. Others place more emphasis on the rhythm of the day, with carefully timed naps, bedtime routines, and adjustments to the sleep environment. A few use more structured behavioural strategies, for example, where parents slowly reduce how much they intervene at bedtime.

Most UK-based consultants tend to favour family-friendly, gentle approaches rather than anything that involves leaving babies to cry alone for long stretches of time. Still, it’s important for parents to ask about this in advance and choose someone whose philosophy feels like the right fit.

Practical Considerations

A one-off initial consultation can often be an affordable option that will allow families to explore the possibilities.Costs for hiring a sleep consultant vary. Depending on the consultant contacted, a one-off initial consultation can often be an affordable first step — and one that will allow families to explore the potential of proceeding with a full plan. However, a full package with several weeks of guidance can often be several hundred pounds. In-home, overnight support is potentially at an even higher end of the scale — but, again, it varies from consultant to consultant. Many families find that online or phone-based support from a sleep consultant is more affordable, and sometimes just as effective.

There are also free options to explore, of course. Health visitors sometimes run sleep workshops or offer individual guidance, and charities such as the Lullaby Trust provide excellent advice including important resources on safe sleep. Many parents also find comfort via parenting groups, where they can share experiences and discover new ideas.

Our Perspective

Struggles with sleep are common.At Little Cedars Nursery, we understand that sleep — or the lack of it — has a huge impact on family life. Sleep consultants may not be a quick fix, but for families who are reaching their limit, they can offer a real lifeline. Success usually comes from finding someone whose approach aligns with your parenting style, sticking with the plan for long enough to see improvements, and feeling supported along the way.

Sleep challenges can feel overwhelming, but whether you decide to invest in professional help or draw on free resources and community support, the most important thing is remembering that you’re not alone. With time, consistency, and sometimes a little outside help, things really can get better. And remember: struggles with sleep are common and don’t make you any less of a wonderful parent. And, who knows, perhaps in a year or two when you’ve come out the other side, people may come to you for advice!

Little Cedars Nursery, Streatham

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.Little Cedars is a high-quality nursery in Streatham, near Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. Graded as a good provider by Ofsted, we ensure that babies and children under five have the very best start in life in a warm, caring, home-from-home environment. We also support free childcare schemes for eligible children aged from 9 months to 4 years — great for working parents!

If you would like to learn more about Little Cedars Nursery or visit in person for a guided tour, please get in touch. You can also ask any questions or start the process of enrolling your child using the options below:

Apply for a Place Arrange a Visit or Message Us 020 8677 9675
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How to Handle Toddler Tantrums — A Parent’s Guide

How to Handle Toddler Tantrums — A Parent’s Guide

Tantrums are a common part of life with toddlers and under-fives.Tantrums are a common part of life with toddlers and under-fives, but when they happen, they can be very challenging! Whether it’s a meltdown at dinner time or a dramatic on-the-floor outburst in the middle of the supermarket aisle, they can test even the most patient of parents and carers. However, it’s important to understand that tantrums aren’t a sign that something is wrong — they’re actually a normal, healthy stage of child development.

Today’s guide aims to offer practical, reassuring advice on how to understand and respond to tantrums, without resorting to shouting or feeling like you’re failing as a parent.

Why Toddlers Have Tantrums

Young children can be overwhelmed by big emotions because their brains are still developing, but they haven’t yet mastered language, impulse control, and emotional regulation.In their early years, children are still learning how to manage big emotions. There’s a mismatch, though; their brains are developing rapidly, but they haven’t yet mastered language, impulse control, or emotional regulation. So, when they’re tired, hungry, overstimulated, or frustrated, it can all become too much for them. That’s when the crying, kicking, shouting, or collapsing to the floor can occur and, considering they’re such small people, it can be quite something!

Tantrums aren’t usually “naughty” behaviour. They’re expressions of overwhelming emotion. A toddler might not be able to say “I’m frustrated because I wanted the red toy, not the blue one,” but they can certainly show it.

What to Do in the Moment

Stay Calm & Composed

When a tantrum starts, staying calm is key.When a tantrum starts, staying calm yourself is key. Your child will take emotional cues from you, their trusted adult. If you can remain steady, even if you’re feeling flustered inside, you send the message that you’re in control—and that they’re safe.

Acknowledge Your Child’s Feelings

Try getting down to your child’s level and speaking softly. In the scenario quoted above in green, you could say, “I can see you’re really upset,” or “You’re feeling angry because you wanted something else.” Validating and labelling their emotions lets them know you understand, even if they still can’t get what they want. It also helps them understand and name what they’re feeling.

Make Allowances When They’re Overwhelmed

Make allowances when little ones are overwhelmed by big emotions.Avoid reasoning or explaining too much during a tantrum. When a child is overwhelmed, they’re unlikely to take much in. It’s often best to wait it out and stay close so they know they’re not alone. For some children, a gentle touch or hug might be helpful. Others may need a bit of space before they’re ready for comfort.

Focus on Your Child — Not Onlookers

If you’re in public and feel pressure from onlookers, try to block it out. What matters most is your child’s emotional development — not what strangers might think.

After the Storm

Once the tantrum has passed, your child might need a cuddle, a drink, or just a few quiet moments. Talk gently with them about what happened. This isn’t a time for lectures, but a moment to reconnect and help them feel secure again.

Perhaps say something like, “That was upsetting for you. Next time, let’s try using words to tell me how you feel.” Over time, this builds emotional awareness, communication skills, and trust.

Preventing Tantrums (When You Can)

While it’s impossible to prevent every tantrum, there are ways to reduce how often they happen.

  • While it’s impossible to prevent every tantrum, there are ways to reduce how often they happen.Offering limited choices — like “Would you like to wear the red jumper or the blue one?” — can also give them a sense of control without overwhelming them.
  • Being aware of your child’s triggers, such as tiredness or hunger — and planning accordingly — can make outings smoother and transitions easier.
  • Routine helps young children feel secure, so sticking to regular mealtimes and bedtimes can also make a big difference.

The Bigger Picture

It’s easy to feel judged, tired, or helpless when dealing with tantrums, especially during a long day or out in public. But every time you respond with calm, connection, and consistency, you’re helping your child build the tools they’ll need to manage emotions as they grow. Tantrums may not disappear overnight, but with understanding, patience, and time, they’ll become less frequent — and far more manageable.

Little Cedars Day Nursery in Streatham

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood.We hope today’s post was useful to parents and carers of children under five. Little Cedars is a childcare nursery in Streatham, near Streatham Hill and Streatham Common and close to Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. We provide little ones with a fabulous start to their early years learning and development, and a warm, caring, nurturing environment that brings out the best in them. We’re recognised by Ofsted as a good provider and support free childcare hours for eligible children aged from 9 months to 4 years, including stretched provision over 51 weeks of the year — great for working parents.

If you would like to apply for a nursery place for your child at Little Cedars Day Nursery in Streatham, please click the ‘Apply for a Place’ button below to get started. Alternatively, select one of the other options to get in touch or arrange a guided tour:

Apply for a Place Arrange a Visit or Message Us 020 8677 9675
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Apply Now for the ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Scheme for Working Families – for Children 9 Months+

Apply Now for the ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Scheme for Working Families – for Children 9 Months+

[May 2025]: Applications are now open for the final “30 hours” expansion of the Government’s free childcare scheme for working families. The new, expanded childcare hours are for eligible children, aged 9 months up to 3 years by 1st September 2025, attending nursery from that month. It doubles the previous number of hours available under the scheme, potentially saving eligible families as much as £7,500 per annum per child. The extended childcare hours will also allow parents — particularly mothers — improved potential to get back into work or take on more hours. Either would increase both household income and the greater economy. Most importantly, though, increasing access to high-quality early years childcare will give children the best start in life, enabling them with the skills and tools necessary to thrive once they leave early years settings to begin school.

Don’t delay — if your child is eligible, you can now apply for the September 2025 term but you only have until the 31st of August in which to do so. That deadline will be here before we know it, so act quickly if you want to benefit from the expanded childcare funding from September 2025.

The changes will make a “massive difference to children and working parents”— Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary.

Here’s a snapshot:

  • Who can apply? Eligible working families with a child aged 9 months up to 3 years by September 1st 2025.
  • How many funded hours will be available? 30 hours per week over 38 weeks per year term time (1140 childcare hours over the year).*
  • When can families start to apply? From 12th May 2025 for a September ’25 term start.
  • When is the application deadline? Apply no later than 31 August 2025 if you want your child to start nursery in the September 2025 term.
  • What About Children Aged 3 and 4? 3-and-4-year-olds of eligible working families have been able to access the 30 hours of free childcare per week (1140 hours per year) since it was phased in late last year (September 2024). Previously, only half those hours had been available under the scheme for this age group.
  • Does the funding cover everything? No. The government funding does not cover additional items like extra childcare hours over the allowance or nappies, meals, and the cost of trips. Your chosen provider will be able to provide more details specific to their particular setting. To clarify for government-funded places at Little Cedars Day Nursery, meals, other consumables, and extra hours will need to be paid for separately.
  • What if we’re not a working family? If you’re not a working family that’s eligible for the new 30 hours extension, it’s worth noting that all children who live in England already qualify for 15 hours per week (570 childcare hours per annum) under their ‘Universal Entitlement’. That is a separate scheme that’s explained here, does not require parents to be working, and is not means tested.

* Some settings may allow some flexibility, for example, by spreading out the same number of annual hours over more weeks of the year. For the academic year 2025-26, Little Cedars will accommodate families in this way via a 51-week provision starting in September 2025. Click here to learn more.

This is a plan “to break the unfair link between background and opportunity across this country, which starts by ensuring our children start school ready to learn.” — Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary.

Eligibility

The key rules around eligibility for working families state that both you and your partner if you have one must:

  • Click the link below for an overview of the 30 Hours childcare funding scheme available to eligible children, from 9 months of age, from September 2025.Work at least 16 hours or more per week at the National Minimum Wage∞ or more;
  • Earn an adjusted net income∞ of less than £100k per annum;
  • Have a National Insurance number.

If the above factors do not apply to you, you may still be eligible for childcare funding if you are disabled, a carer, on maternity/paternity/adoption leave, or receive certain benefits or assistance from the government. Check your eligibility more comprehensively in Step 1 below. More details and an excellent overview are also provided in an official video provided by the Department of Education (viewing time: 2½ minutes).

To-Do List

  1. First, check that your child is eligible via the Childcare Choices website.
  2. If eligible, apply for the funded childcare on the Government website by 31 August 2025 if you want your child to start in the September 2025 term. If applying for a different term, you will need to apply during the term preceding it (terms begin on the 1st of January, April and September). Once approved, you will be issued with a code that your childcare provider will require in order to access the funding.
  3. Contact your preferred childcare provider at any point to check if they have a place available for your child under the scheme. Be aware that some have waiting lists.
  4. Log into your Gov.uk childcare account every 3 months to ensure your code is kept up to date. You need to reconfirm your details and check for continued eligibility in case your circumstances have changed.

You will not be able to receive the funded childcare without a valid code!

Funded Nursery Places at Little Cedars Nursery, Streatham

Little Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury and Colliers Wood.Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars Day Nursery is a wonderful childcare setting in Streatham, close to Tooting Common, that offers a first-class service to local families and their children. The setting supports most government-funded childcare schemes and thereby provides affordable childcare for Streatham, Furzedown, Tooting and Balham families. Through the government funding schemes, free childcare is available to eligible children aged from 9 months to school age and this includes a number of places available under the extended ’30 hours’ scheme for working families. It’s the perfect way to give children the best start in life while also allowing parents, especially mothers, to rejoin the workplace after maternity leave, boost working hours if they want to, and elevate household income.

Begin your application to Little Cedars Nursery, Streatham, come for a visit with your child or send us your questions today. We can’t wait to meet you!

Apply for a Place Arrange a Visit or Message Us 020 8677 9675

Little Cedars Nursery in Streatham is rated as a Good Provider of childcare and early years education by Ofsted. It may also be a convenient choice for families living nearby in Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury and Colliers Wood.

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National Children’s Gardening Week: 24 May – 1 June 2025

National Children's Gardening Week: 24 May – 1 June 2025

National Children's Gardening Week is designed to inspire children's curiosity around growing plants and gardening-related activities.National Children’s Gardening Week is a wonderful annual event that’s designed to inspire children’s curiosity around growing plants and gardening-related activities. It takes place during what is typically a warm period of the year. That’s important because it means seeds and plants will grow faster and need minimal protective measures from inclement weather. Speedy growing results will appeal to little ones!

We encourage children large and small to get involved in the event, which begins later in May. At the time of writing, there is plenty of time to prepare if families want to source things like seeds, seed trays, and eco-friendly compost, and to find out about any related events in their neighbourhoods. Today’s guide explains more about the event, the reasons for it, the benefits of taking part, and the kinds of gardening-related activities little ones can take part in. National Children’s Gardening Week is always an incredibly worthwhile, educational, and fun week — so don’t miss out!

When is National Children’s Gardening Week 2025?

National Children's Gardening Week takes place in a traditionally warm week towards the end of May.National Children’s Gardening Week coincides perfectly with the Spring Bank Holiday and May half-term school holiday, taking place from the 24th of May to the 1st of June 2025. It’s usually a lovely warm week and is perfect timing for children to make the most of the event and to maximise the many benefits of spending time around nature.

“Children love growing plants and love being involved in the garden but they’re often impatient, wanting to see instant results. National Children’s Gardening Week aims to capture children’s enthusiasm at a time when results are immediate.” — Event Organiser.

Why Children Should Take Part in the Event

The organisers of the event put it perfectly:

“The aim of National Children’s Gardening Week is to inspire children’s curiosity, whilst the warm weather is a great time to see speedy results of seed sowing, planting and other gardening activities.”

The gardening-related activities also draw little ones closer to nature, which is well known to boost children’s health and mental well-being, improve learning, motor, and social skills, and much, much more. Learn more about the benefits of nature to children here.

National Children's Gardening Week raises money to support children in hospices through the national charity Greenfingers.National Children’s Gardening Week also raises money to support children in hospices through the national charity Greenfingers. They create inspiring gardens and beautiful outdoor spaces where hospice children with life-limiting conditions can play, rest, relax, and spend time with family and friends. Such outdoor spaces allow affected children to spend quality time away from the bedside in well-designed outdoor areas where they can enjoy all the benefits of fresh air and a natural environment.

What Kind of Activities Can Children Take Part in?

Young children are naturally drawn to the activities that involve flowers and plants.Children and families can take part at home as well as in participating schools, childcare settings, community groups, ‘outdoorsy’ retail outlets and even some National Trust properties.

Commercial participant examples include places like formal gardens and garden centres. Such venues may lay on things like seed giveaways, bee hunts, bug hunts, garden treasure hunts, nature trails, recycled garden installations and lots of other activities to inspire gardening in children. They may include gardening-inspired activities like leaf printing, rock painting, plant colouring sheets, flower drawing competitions, vegetable planting classes, sunflower seed planting, and many more. Children will have lots to choose from, making for some seriously fun and inspiring trips during the week. Check out related activities in your local area in the run-up to the start of the event.

At home, there are a myriad of ways to take part in the event. Suggestions include:

Children will love the results when they grow a wildflower meadow.Sowing Wildflower Seeds

Sowing wildflower seeds can be super-easy for even the youngest children and, in fact, you can read our detailed children’s guide to growing wildflowers here. What’s more, pollinators like bees and butterflies will love the resulting flowers!

Growing Herbs

Herbs are easy to grow or indeed regrow.Herbs and some vegetables can be grown from seeds, cultivated, and harvested from simple flowerpots or yoghurt pots. They can also be ‘re-grown’ through various devious means that will fascinate children including under-fives. We wrote a whole post about that too, so take a look — it’s quite ingenious, is incredibly educational, and results in free food! What’s more, it can be done indoors. Learn more about how children can grow food at home, for free, here.

Grow Some ‘Egg Heads’ with Cress Seeds

Another 'indoor gardening' activity is growing these comical 'egg heads'.Another ‘indoor gardening’ activity is growing these comical ‘egg heads’. Grown simply from cress seeds, they can be grown in egg shells as shown, or another alternative would be yoghurt pots. When the cress is ready to be harvested and used in salads or as a garnish, the little characters can have a haircut! Here’s our guide that explains what to do.

Bee-Friendly Gardening

World Bee Day arrives on the same date each year — the 20th of May.Another activity that children can get involved in for National Children’s Gardening Week is to create bee-friendly gardens. Our recent post about World Bee Day explains how to make a bee oasis (from where bees and pollinators can get a refreshing drink) and a bee-friendly garden. Check out those and some other bee-friendly activities here.

Make Free Compost

Guide children in setting up a compost bin or, in its most basic form, it could take the form of a simple pile in the garden.Plants love compost and so do minibeasts. So, another wonderful activity for children in National Children’s Gardening Week is to make homemade compost. Our dedicated guide to composting for kids explains everything children need to do for this hugely worthwhile, ecologically sound, and educational activity.

Flower Pressing

Pressed flowers are a wonderful way for children to save flowers semi-permanently as keepsakes or to use as part of an art activity.Once the flowers are blooming outside, children can experiment with pressing flowers. Pressed flowers are a wonderful way for children to save flowers semi-permanently as keepsakes or to use as part of an art activity.

TIP: highly-coloured flowers work best and smaller ones are also likely to flatten more easily and dry more quickly.

Once picked, flowers can be placed, ideally so they don’t overlap, between absorbent paper like newsprint, blotting paper, or tissue paper. Place this between the pages of a thick book or sketch pad that has an extra weight on top. Leave somewhere dry for a couple of weeks or so and they will flatten and dry, ready for use as a bookmark or as part of a creative art piece.

Make a Magical Fairy Garden

A whimsical and magical-looking fairy garden made from moss, pebbles, and sticks.The youngest children will love this activity! Children will need some scavenged moss, pebbles, sticks, seashells and perhaps small pieces of driftwood from a beach. Children can then use these to transform the soil in a large pot or on top of a log into a whimsical and magical-looking fairy garden. Children can let their imaginations run riot and create things like a fairy house made of sticks and driftwood, fairy lawns made of moss, and garden paths made with pebbles that form stepping stones. They could even include a fairy pond made with a small mirror, tin foil that covers the discarded lid of a jar, or real water in a mini flowerpot drip tray. Such fairy gardens can look truly magical!

The Activity Ideas are Endless!

We’ve highlighted just a handful of activity ideas that will fascinate, enthral and educate children this National Children’s Gardening Week. However, we’ve only scratched the surface and many more activities are possible with a bit of imagination. To give you some more ideas, check out these gardening-related activities for children and some eco-friendly gardening activities for kids here. Whatever activity they take part in, we wish every child a very enjoyable, fulfilling, and educational gardening week!

Little Cedars Day Nursery

the Natural Childcare Choice for Streatham Families

Ofsted rates Little Cedars Day Nursery as a Good ProviderLittle Cedars is a nursery & preschool offering high-quality childcare in Streatham, near Tooting, Tooting Bec, Tooting Common, Tooting Broadway, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury and Colliers Wood.Families can rest assured that children at Little Cedars Nursery in Streatham get ample opportunities to be around nature. The setting has outdoor areas where children can grow plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables. Doing so is something that they love and learn so much from. It teaches them new skills, hones motor skills, helps them develop a sense of responsibility and empathy, and teaches them about the world they live in. It’s just one small part of the comprehensive early years education they receive at Little Cedars Nursery. Here, we do everything we can to help them become the best versions of themselves. We give them the very best start in life, enabling them to be ready to thrive from the moment they leave us to begin school. If you’re interested in your child joining Little Cedars, please choose a contact option below to get started.

Get started on your child’s nursery application today, arrange a guided tour, or ask a question:

Apply for a Place Arrange a Visit or Message Us 020 8677 9675

Little Cedars Nursery is a ‘Good Provider’ and supports childcare funding for eligible children and babies from just 9 months of age. The nursery is in Streatham close to Tooting Common, Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury and Colliers Wood.

For the sake of their safety and well-being, young children should be supervised, and activities should be overseen by an adult whenever appropriate, especially outdoors.

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