Safer Sleep
We follow current safer sleep guidance to help keep babies and young children safe and comfortable while sleeping. Parents can find further information and practical advice from the NHS and The Lullaby Trust using the resources below. Baby and newborn sleeping advice - Best Start in Life - NHS Safer sleep information | The Lullaby Trust
Nutritional Guidance
Good nutrition plays an important role in children’s growth, development and wellbeing. In 2025, the Department for Education introduced new Early Years Foundation Stage Nutrition guidance, providing updated advice for early years settings on providing healthy, balanced and nutritious food and supporting positive eating habits from an early age.
The guidance covers areas including healthy meal choices, portion sizes, introducing a variety of foods, infant feeding and supporting children with allergies and dietary requirements.
We follow this guidance when planning our menus and food provision, and we encourage children to develop a positive relationship with food through varied, nutritious meals and opportunities to explore different tastes and textures. Parents can find the latest guidance and resources at: Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition - GOV.UK weaning Weaning - Best Start in Life - NHS healthy eating Best Start in Life - Best Start in Life
Screen Time for Under 5s
The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care published new guidance on screen use for children under 5 in March 2026. The guidance encourages families to consider how screen time fits alongside sleep, physical activity, play, learning and opportunities for face-to-face interaction.
Current advice is to avoid screen time for children under 2, other than shared activities such as video calls, and for children aged 2–5, try to keep screen time to around 1 hour a day or less. Where screens are used, parents are encouraged to choose age-appropriate content and, where possible, watch and interact with their child.
We have included the latest guidance below as a useful resource for parents and carers: Baby and toddler screen time guidance - Best Start in Life
Toilet Training
Toilet training is an important developmental step, however every child is different and there is no set age when a child should be toilet trained. We work closely with parents and carers to support children when they show signs of being ready, using a positive, patient and consistent approach.
The Department for Education provides guidance for early years providers on recognising when children are ready and supporting them through the process. Parents can find helpful information and practical advice below. Help for early years providers : Toilet training
Speech and Language
The early years are an important time for children’s speech, language and communication development. Talking, singing, reading and playing together all help children build their communication skills and develop their understanding of the world.
We support children’s communication throughout the day through conversations, stories, songs, rhymes and play, while working closely with parents and carers to share progress and identify when additional support may be helpful.
If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, language or other areas of their development, please speak to your child’s key person. We are always happy to arrange a meeting to discuss your concerns and work together to consider what support may be helpful.
The NHS provides practical advice and activities to help parents support their child’s early learning and communication at home. Useful NHS resource: Early learning and development – NHS