News blog for Little Cedars Day Nursery, Streatham. Latest posts etc.

Activity Ideas for Children, Learning through play, Nature, Nature Activities, Outdoor Play, Parenting

Why Children Belong in Nature — Inspiring Quotations Every Parent Should Read

There’s something magical about seeing a child run through long grass, gather conkers in autumn, or pause wide-eyed at the sight of a beautiful butterfly on a flower. At Little Cedars Nursery, we know how valuable these moments are — nature has always been the greatest playground, the richest classroom, and the most inspiring storybook. Indeed, research consistently shows that children who spend time in nature benefit in countless ways, from improved concentration and physical health to emotional wellbeing and creativity.

But beyond the evidence, there’s also inspiration. Generations of writers, educators, and parents have tried to capture in words what nature gives to children. With that in mind, we’ve gathered together some of our favourite quotations, each one a reminder of why the great outdoors is such a vital part of childhood — take a look.

18 September 2025/by Mark

Child Behaviour, Early Years, Infants, Learning & Development, Parenting, Tantrums, Toddlers, Under-5s

How to Handle Toddler Tantrums — A Parent’s Guide

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.

31 August 2025/by Mark

Activity Ideas for Children, Children, Health & Wellbeing, Learning through play, Parenting

The Benefits of a Digital Detox & Why Families Should Try It

In today’s world, electronic screens are everywhere — from TVs and smartphones to tablets and games consoles. Even our youngest children are growing up in increasingly digital environments. While technology brings many conveniences, intentionally unplugging can offer profound benefits for little ones and their families. Whether it’s for a day, a weekend, a holiday, or even longer, the value gained from a ‘digital detox’ may surprise even the most dubious amongst us. Today’s post investigates.

19 August 2025/by Mark

Children, Learning & Development, Parenting, Reading, Storytelling, Toddlers, Under-5s

Why Re-reading the Same Book is So Good for Young Children

If you’ve ever found yourself reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar or The Gruffalo for the fifteenth time in a week, you’re not alone. Many parents and carers will notice that young children latch onto a particular story and insist on hearing it again and again, often word for word, and with little patience for alternatives. It’s a scenario that plays out in homes and nurseries everywhere — a favourite book that’s already been read countless times, yet you hear another heartfelt plea of “Again!”

At first glance, this devotion to a single story might seem puzzling. As adults, we crave novelty and variation, and it’s tempting to encourage children to explore new titles or gently steer them towards something ‘different’. But this desire for repetition is not only entirely normal for infants, toddlers and preschoolers — it’s actually a sign of healthy development. In fact, there’s a great deal happening beneath the surface every time your child requests a beloved book for the umpteenth time.

In today’s post, we’ll explore why children are drawn to repeated readings, what they gain from the experience, and how supporting this instinct — both at home and in the nursery setting — can help lay the foundation for a lifelong love of language, stories and learning.

31 July 2025/by Mark

Childcare, Childcare Funding, Free Childcare, Little Cedars Day Nursery, Nursery, Streatham

51 Week ‘Stretched’ Childcare Provision for 2025-26 Funded Places

At Little Cedars Nursery in Streatham, government-funded childcare hours for eligible children will be ‘stretched’ over 51 weeks of the year, starting from the 1st of September 2025. It means that, if your child is eligible for government-funded childcare hours at Little Cedars Nursery, they will be able to use them over virtually every week of the academic year starting in September 2025. In practice, that’s childcare provision every week, apart from the Christmas/New Year week, bank holidays, and three inset days. That aligns funded childcare provision with the standard working weeks that Little Cedars Nursery operates. It will provide more consistent childcare to families over virtually the entire year. This will alleviate the stresses associated with accessing funded childcare, especially during school holidays, which are not usually funded in the more standard 38-week model. Read on to learn more.

20 July 2025/by Mark

Summer Nature Hunt Activity for Children – with Free Poster!

Activity Ideas for Children, Flora and Fauna, Learning through play, Nature Activities, Under-5s

Summer Nature Hunt Activity – with Free Poster!

Summer is in full swing from late June until late September*. It’s a wonderful season that brings with it many amazing things for children and families to look out for in nature. Indeed, that’s what today’s suggested activity is all about. We’ve created a free-to-download poster that highlights 20 things from nature that children, including under-fives, can look out for when they’re outdoors^†. Whether it’s in gardens, on walks with family members, at the park, or out in the countryside, summer’s natural wonders are incredibly abundant when you take time to look.

How many of the wonderful flora and fauna can your child spot? Some, like bees and butterflies, will be super-easy to spot. Others, like sunbathing birds and — for the very lucky few — slow worms, may be a little harder to discover. Searching is part of the fun, though, and this nature-based activity is a great way to get little ones to open their eyes to the natural world around them whilst also enjoying exercise and fresh air. It’s a great opportunity to encourage little ones to spend time outdoors, close to nature^† — which is so incredibly good for them! Why not download the free Summer Nature Hunt activity poster today and see what you and your little one can spot?

30 June 2025/by Mark

Activity Ideas for Children, Early Years Education, Indoor Activities for Kids, Learning through play, Mathematics, Parenting, Preschoolers, Under-5s

Number & Counting Games for Preschoolers

Concepts involving numbers and counting can sometimes be tricky for some preschoolers to grasp. Making sense of such concepts is important, though, because many aspects of children’s day-to-day lives will require an increasing understanding of numbers as time passes. Whether it’s knowing if a quantity of something is more or less than something else, how much of an ingredient is required in a mixture, or what change to expect from a purchase, children will need to grasp number-based concepts — and understand their real-world applications. What’s more, they’ll need to do this sooner rather than later if they’re to thrive, not least when they leave early years settings to begin school.

Early parental help can significantly boost children’s understanding of numbers, counting, and maths terminology. One of the key ways to help preschoolers is through number and counting games. What’s more, by using games and playful challenges, learning number and counting concepts will be fun! That fun element will be a key to both success and enjoyment. Indeed, learning through play is, as we know, the very best way for young children to learn. With that said, let’s take a look at some examples of games and fun challenges that under-fives can take part in. With supervision and guidance from adults, these are a great way to boost comprehension of number-based concepts in little ones — and support the EYFS curriculum.

20 June 2025/by Mark

Activity Ideas for Children, Children, Learning & Development, Nature Activities

‘Leaf Art’ Activities for Kids — Creative Fun, Inspired by Nature

With warmer weather and plants and trees flourishing wherever we look, it got us thinking about some creative children’s activities, inspired by nature. One simple starting point is the humble leaf, which can lend itself to a surprisingly wide range of creative activities for children to enjoy. Such activities will not only draw children’s attention to nature, which is incredibly good for them, but also help young children develop new skills, stretch imaginations, and boost creativity. Today’s activity ideas are also so simple that they will be suited to children under five (under adult supervision)* as well as older children. Take a look — and have fun!

30 May 2025/by Mark

Our Blog.

Why Children Belong in Nature — Inspiring Quotations Every Parent Should Read

How to Handle Toddler Tantrums — A Parent’s Guide

The Benefits of a Digital Detox & Why Families Should Try It

Why Re-reading the Same Book is So Good for Young Children

51 Week ‘Stretched’ Childcare Provision for 2025-26 Funded Places

Summer Nature Hunt Activity – with Free Poster!

Number & Counting Games for Preschoolers

‘Leaf Art’ Activities for Kids — Creative Fun, Inspired by Nature

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