01257 272 515
info@hmchildcare.co.uk
Opening Times: Monday to Friday - 7:00am - 6:30pm

Supporting Independence and Curiosity (2-3 years)

Our three open-plan rooms provide a free-flowing, engaging environment where children can
explore, learn, and grow at their own pace. This flexible setup supports their transition to
preschool by fostering independence, particularly in daily self-care routines.

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Baby
Room

Gentle Beginnings for Your Little One

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Toddler
Room

Exploring the World with Confidence

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Preschool
Room

Ready for School, Ready for Life

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Outdoor
Garden

Learning Through Nature All Year Round

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Our Toddler Room Environment

A Space Designed for Discovery

Our Toddler Room has been thoughtfully created to encourage exploration, independence, and social interaction:

  • Open-plan design with defined learning areas that children can freely access
  • Child-height furniture and resources promoting independence and choice
  • Cosy book corners with a diverse range of stories and comfortable seating
  • Creative zones with accessible art materials and mark-making tools
  • Construction areas with blocks, vehicles, and building resources
  • Role play spaces that change regularly to reflect children's interests and experiences
  • Investigation stations with natural materials and objects to explore
  • Sensory areas for tactile exploration and regulation
  • Accessible toileting facilities to support toilet training and independence
Promoting Independence

Toddlers are eager to do things for themselves, and our environment supports this natural drive:

  • Self-service snack areas where children can choose when to eat
  • Accessible drinking water stations
  • Open shelving with clearly organised resources
  • Picture labels to help children identify where items belong
  • Child-sized cleaning equipment for involvement in care routines
  • Hooks and storage for personal belongings at toddler height
  • Visual timetables to help children understand the daily routine

Our Approach to Toddler Development

Supporting the Unique Toddler Stage

We recognise that toddlers are developing their sense of self and understanding of the world around them:

  • Acknowledgement of big emotions and support with regulation
  • Clear, consistent boundaries that help children feel secure
  • Positive behaviour guidance focusing on what children can do
  • Opportunities for choice and decision-making
  • Recognition of each child's unique personality and preferences
  • Balance between group activities and individual exploration
  • Support for developing friendships and social skills
Key Person Relationship

Each toddler continues to benefit from a key person who:

  • Provides emotional security and reassurance
  • Understands their individual needs and interests
  • Plans personalised learning experiences
  • Supports developing independence while offering a secure base
  • Maintains regular communication with parents
  • Documents progress through observations and assessments
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Early Years Curriculum for Toddlers

Our curriculum for toddlers builds on their natural curiosity and desire to explore:
Communication
and Language
  • Rich language environment with conversation, songs, and stories
  • Support for developing vocabulary through meaningful contexts
  • Small group activities to develop listening and attention skills
  • Daily story times with interactive elements
  • Introduction to simple concepts like colours, numbers, and shapes
Physical
Development
  • Daily opportunities for energetic physical play
  • Fine motor activities to develop hand strength and coordination
  • Support for self-care skills like hand washing and dressing
  • Outdoor play in all weathers with appropriate clothing
  • Dance, movement, and music sessions
Personal, Social and
Emotional Development
  • Support for emerging self-awareness and confidence
  • Guidance with sharing and turn-taking
  • Encouragement of empathy and awareness of others' feelings
  • Development of self-care skills and independence
  • Celebration of achievements and efforts
Additional Areas
of Learning
  • Early mathematical concepts through play and everyday routines
  • Creative expression through art, music, and imaginative play
  • Understanding of the natural world through outdoor exploration
  • Early literacy through mark-making and stories
  • Technology through age-appropriate resources

Daily Activities and Routines

Our toddler room offers a balance of structure and flexibility:
  • Morning welcome and group time to build community
  • Free-flow play periods where children choose from a range of activities
  • Adult-led small group activities based on interests and learning goals
  • Outdoor exploration in our dedicated toddler garden
  • Shared mealtimes focusing on social skills and independence
  • Rest time with the option for sleep or quiet activities
  • Story and singing sessions throughout the day
  • End-of-day reflection and celebration
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Outdoor Learning

Toddlers benefit enormously from outdoor experiences, and our dedicated toddler garden provides:
  • Natural climbing structures to develop gross motor skills
  • Mud kitchen for sensory and imaginative play
  • Growing areas where children help plant and harvest
  • Bikes and wheeled toys to develop coordination
  • Water play opportunities
  • Natural materials for exploration
  • Space for energetic movement and games
  • Covered areas ensuring outdoor play happens in all weathers

Nutrition and Mealtimes

Our approach to mealtimes supports healthy eating habits and social development:
  • Family-style meals where children serve themselves with support
  • Focus on developing table manners and conversation skills
  • Introduction to a wide variety of foods and flavours
  • Support for developing self-feeding skills
  • Recognition of individual appetites and preferences
  • Celebration of cultural diversity through food

Transitioning to the Preschool Room

As children approach their third birthday, we begin a carefully managed transition to our Preschool Room:
  • Regular visits to the new environment with their key person
  • Collaborative activities with preschool children
  • Information sharing between toddler and preschool staff
  • Parent meetings to discuss the transition process
  • Celebration of this important step in their nursery journey

Meet Our Toddler Room Team

Our Toddler Room is led by Charlotte Moulton, an experienced Early Years Level 3 practitioner who has been with Hearts and Minds since 2018. Charlotte specialises in supporting children with additional needs and coordinating parental partnerships. The team includes qualified practitioners who understand the unique developmental needs of toddlers.
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Parent Partnerships

We value close relationships with parents of toddlers:
  • Detailed daily handovers at drop-off and collection times
  • Digital communication app for photos and updates throughout the day
  • Regular parent meetings to discuss development and next steps
  • Home-nursery books to share experiences between settings
  • Open-door policy for parents to visit throughout the day
  • Support and guidance for parents on developmental matters

Book a Visit to Our Toddler Room

We invite you to visit our Toddler Room to see first-hand how we support this fascinating stage of development. Our team would be delighted to show you around and answer any questions you may have.

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