A healthy lifestyle in the early years is about much more than what children eat. It is built through the little things they experience every day: moving their bodies, spending time outdoors, resting when they need to, developing independence, building relationships and learning how to care for themselves.
At The Old Station Nursery, these healthy habits are woven naturally into everyday nursery life.
Young children learn through movement. Whether they are crawling, running, climbing, dancing, balancing, building or simply finding new ways to move around a space, physical activity is naturally woven into nursery life. Our indoor and outdoor environments give children opportunities to develop their gross and fine motor skills in ways that feel like play. As their abilities grow, they can challenge themselves, practise new movements and gradually become more confident in what their bodies can do.
It might be mastering a climbing frame, kicking a ball, carrying a bucket across the garden, joining in with music and movement or carefully navigating an obstacle they have helped to create. These everyday experiences help build coordination, strength, balance and body awareness. For us, keeping active does not need to mean a structured exercise session. It is part of exploring, playing and having fun.
Running, climbing, balancing, dancing, stretching and active play all give children opportunities to develop their strength, coordination and confidence.
Our outdoor spaces give children room to discover, investigate and experience the natural world throughout the year.
Playing and learning alongside others helps children build friendships, communicate their needs and develop a sense of belonging.
Busy little bodies need quieter moments too. Rest, sleep and calm activities form an important part of the nursery day.
Everyday routines give children lots of opportunities to practise doing things for themselves and feel proud of what they can achieve.
Healthy, balanced food supports children throughout busy nursery days, with mealtimes also providing opportunities for conversation, independence and connection.
Fresh air and outdoor play are an important part of nursery life at The Old Station Nursery. Our nurseries have outdoor spaces that children can enjoy throughout the year, giving them opportunities to experience changing weather, seasons and the natural world around them. Being outdoors creates different possibilities for play. There is room to move on a bigger scale, investigate natural materials, get messy, notice wildlife, explore textures and follow children’s curiosity wherever it leads. A puddle can become somewhere to jump. Leaves can become ingredients in an imaginary café. A log can become a balancing challenge. Sticks, stones, mud and water can inspire completely different ideas from one day to the next.
Some of our nurseries also offer dedicated Forest School experiences, giving children further opportunities to build their confidence and connection with the natural world.
Busy nursery days need quieter moments too. Babies and young children all have different needs when it comes to sleep, rest and downtime, so we work with families to understand the routines that help each child feel comfortable and settled.
Throughout the day, children have opportunities to slow down as well as be active. This might mean sleep for younger children, a cosy story, quieter play or simply taking a little time away from a busy activity. Creating space for rest helps children regulate their energy, feel secure and enjoy the rest of their nursery day at a pace that works for them.
Some of the most valuable skills children develop at nursery come from ordinary parts of the day.
Putting on a coat. Washing hands. Choosing an activity. Tidying away resources. Pouring a drink. Finding their belongings. Having a go before asking for help.
These everyday moments give children opportunities to take increasing responsibility for themselves at a pace that is right for their age and stage of development. Our teams are there to provide the right level of support, while allowing children the time and space to try things for themselves. With every new skill comes a little more confidence and that wonderful feeling of: “I did it.”
As children grow, we help them begin to understand the simple routines that help us take care of ourselves.
Personal care, handwashing, toileting, getting dressed, recognising when we need a drink or a rest and becoming increasingly aware of our own needs can all form part of this learning.
These experiences are introduced naturally through the nursery day rather than treated as separate lessons.
By taking part in familiar routines again and again, children can begin to understand why we do them and gradually become more confident in managing them independently.
Food is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but there is much more to nursery food than simply what is on the plate.
Our mealtimes give children opportunities to sit together, talk, make choices and practise their independence while enjoying healthy, balanced food.
We have a dedicated Nursery Food & Menus page where families can find out more about our approach to nursery meals, menus, dietary requirements, allergies, food exploration and how we help children build positive relationships with food.
Feeling healthy also means feeling safe, secure and connected to the people around us.
Nursery gives children many opportunities to build relationships, make friends, take turns, work together and begin to understand their own feelings and the feelings of others.
Our teams get to know each child as an individual, providing encouragement, reassurance and support as they navigate new experiences.
These everyday interactions help children develop confidence, resilience and a positive sense of themselves.
Supporting children’s emotional and social development is also an important part of our My Happy and Healthy Self curriculum, where children explore how to take care of themselves and others.
Early childhood is full of firsts.
The first time a child manages their own coat. The first time they climb a little higher than before. The first friendship they make independently. The first time they remember to wash their hands without being prompted or recognise that they need a quiet moment.
On their own, these moments can seem small. Together, they help children develop the confidence, independence and healthy habits they can carry into the next stage of their journey.
At The Old Station Nursery, we give children the space, encouragement and experiences they need to keep growing into happy, healthy and confident little humans.