When your little one tells you, “I’m bored,” it can be tempting to reach for an activity, put on a programme or think of something to keep them occupied. But sometimes, it’s OK not to have something planned. As parents, there can be a lot of pressure to keep little ones busy, entertained and learning. But children also need time to play freely, make their own choices and follow their own ideas. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) recognises play as an important part of ch

Sharing stories with your little one is a lovely way to spend time together, spark their imagination and introduce them to different people, places and experiences. Children's books can also help little ones see themselves and their families represented in the stories they read, while discovering lives and experiences that may be different from their own. To celebrate Black History Month, we've put together a selection of 11 children's books by Black authors and illustrators

Autumn is here, bringing cooler days, colourful leaves and plenty of new things for little ones to explore. As the seasons change, everyday moments — watching leaves fall, spotting conkers, feeling the wind or noticing the changing colours around us — become opportunities to ask questions and discover something new. Books are a lovely way to introduce these seasonal changes and give little ones a chance to talk about what they see around them. We've gathered 9 autumn books fo

There’s a lot more to baking with toddlers than making something tasty to eat. A bowl of ingredients, a wooden spoon and a little bit of flour can give little one’s opportunities to count, measure, mix, talk, experiment and make choices for themselves. At our nurseries, baking is one of the many everyday experiences we use to help children learn through doing. It might look like we're simply making biscuits or preparing a cake, but there is plenty of learning happening along

Paint-covered hands. Muddy trousers. Water everywhere. Messy play can sometimes look, well… messy. But behind the splashes, squashes and spills, children are busy learning. For young children, messy play is a chance to explore materials, test ideas, use their senses and discover what happens when they experiment. There doesn't need to be a finished picture, a perfect model or a right answer. The learning comes from the process of exploring. What is messy play? Messy play is o

Preparing for a new baby is an exciting time for the whole family, but for an older child, it can also bring a big change. They may be excited about becoming a big brother or sister while also feeling uncertain about what having a new baby will mean for them. It is completely normal for children to experience a mixture of emotions. They may feel proud and excited one moment and jealous, worried or clingy the next. With some preparation before the baby arrives and plenty of re

Supporting your child through difficult times can be challenging, particularly when you're dealing with your own worries at the same time. Family life doesn't always go to plan. Illness, bereavement, relationship difficulties, financial pressures or other unexpected challenges can leave parents feeling overwhelmed — and children can often sense when something has changed. Even when we try to protect them from difficult circumstances, young children can be very aware of the em

Choosing a nursery is a big decision, and one of the questions parents often have is: what does a typical day at nursery look like? While no two days are exactly the same, a familiar rhythm can help little ones feel comfortable and confident. At The Butterfly Patch, we follow children’s interests, so what happens within that routine can change from day to day. Each of our nurseries has its own personality, spaces and approach, but here's an example of how a typical day might

Starting nursery is an exciting milestone for little ones and parents. For many families, it is the first time their child will spend regular time away from home, making it an important step towards developing independence, confidence and new experiences. Every child’s nursery journey is different. Some children settle quickly, while others need a little more time to feel comfortable with a new environment and routine. There are lots of simple ways parents can help their chil