STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) might sound more suited to secondary school than story circles and sandpits. But in reality, STEM learning begins long before children enter formal schooling. And in an era of persistent inequality, it’s about more than enrichment, it’s about equity. Here’s the thing, STEM isn’t a subject you “get to” […]
September might still feel far off, but in the nursery world, it’s the big reset. Children move on to school, new families start, and some spaces suddenly become free. The good news? There’s still time to fill them… if you focus your marketing now. And no, that doesn’t mean shouting ‘Spaces available!’ into the Facebook […]
In the earliest years of life, food does far more than satisfy hunger. It plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s long-term health, development, and relationship with food. That’s why the latest updates to the EYFS nutrition guidance matter so much, particularly its firm, no-nonsense stance on sugar: Sugary foods and drinks should not […]
This week, the Education Secretary has once again placed “school readiness” at the forefront of the early years conversation. The rhetoric is familiar, concerns about children unable to sit still, follow instructions, or manage basic self-care. But beneath these headlines lies a deeper issue, one where young children, particularly those with special educational needs and […]
“We need to… but we just don’t have time right now.” Sound familiar? If you’re a nursery leader or manager, chances are those words have come up recently, especially when it comes to CPD. With staffing gaps, looming inspections, piles of paperwork, and the daily juggle of nursery life, professional development can feel like something […]
As Early Years professionals, our shared commitment is to create environments where every child feels safe, valued, and able to thrive. With the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for safeguarding coming into effect in September 2025, safeguarding practices are evolving to place even greater emphasis on everyday culture, team confidence, and the wellbeing […]
There’s something magical—and a little bit wild—about turning two. It’s the year of “me do it!”, where fierce independence shows up side by side with the need for reassurance. One moment they’re charging ahead; the next, they’re back in your arms. Two is full of contradictions, big emotions, and even bigger developmental leaps. People talk […]
Why is it still such a surprise to see a man working in a nursery setting? Despite the strides we’ve made in promoting gender equality, the early years sector continues to be one of the most gender-skewed professions in the UK. With men making up just a small percentage of the workforce, many children will […]
At Mini Minds Matter, our personal mission is to develop children’s emotional intelligence to promote a healthy relationship to emotions. These skills are impactful alone, but become even more useful during times of transitions and uncertainty. Starting school can feel daunting for children – and they are not alone! It is intimidating to enter new […]
Children experience space and time differently from adults. Their interactions with an environment are shaped by what they see, hear, and feel—but also by what they have learned to notice or ignore. From birth, children are constantly filtering sensory input, making sense of the world around them. When designing learning environments, the most important question […]
Walk into any nursery across the country, and you’ll see them—the boys who burst through the door full of energy, curiosity, and endless questions. The ones who struggle to sit still, who turn everything into a game, who climb before they calculate the risk. And too often, you’ll also hear the words that follow them: […]
Nurseries are busy places, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of just ‘getting through the day’. As Early Years professionals, we rightfully focus on creating a nurturing environment for the children in our setting, but do we also focus on nurturing our staff? Embedding a supportive coaching culture into our nurseries can really […]