Child Development | Little Mowgli Nursery
At Little Mowgli, we are committed to fostering the holistic development of children aged 0–5, focusing on their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth. Our deep understanding of child development enables us to create nurturing environments that support each child’s unique journey. This page provides an in-depth look at how we promote wellbeing and growth, showcasing our expertise in helping young learners thrive.
Key Development Areas: Physical, Social, Emotional, and Cognitive
Child development in the early years is multifaceted, encompassing four key areas: physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. Each area is interconnected, forming the foundation for a child’s overall growth and future success.
- Physical Development: This involves the growth of gross and fine motor skills, coordination, and overall health. For infants, this might include reaching and grasping objects, while for preschoolers, it could involve running, climbing, or using tools like pencils. At Little Mowgli, we provide activities such as outdoor play, dance, and sensory tasks to strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and encourage healthy habits.
- Social Development: Social skills help children interact with others, form relationships, and navigate group settings. Early social development includes sharing, taking turns, and expressing needs. Our group activities, such as collaborative games and role-play, foster cooperation and communication, helping children build friendships and develop empathy.
- Emotional Development: Emotional growth focuses on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and confidence. Young children learn to identify their feelings, manage frustrations, and develop resilience. At Little Mowgli, we create a warm, supportive environment where children feel safe to express themselves, supported by caring staff who model positive emotional responses.
- Cognitive Development: This area encompasses thinking, problem-solving, and understanding the world. From recognising shapes to exploring cause-and-effect, cognitive growth is critical for academic readiness. We engage children with puzzles, storytelling, and exploratory activities that spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking.
By addressing all four areas, we ensure a balanced approach that nurtures the whole child, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of later years.
Milestones by Age Group
Children develop at their own pace, but there are general milestones that guide our understanding of progress. Below is an overview of key developmental milestones by age group, which we use to inform our planning and observations at Little Mowgli:
- 0–12 Months: Infants focus on sensory exploration and motor development. Milestones include smiling, reaching for objects, and beginning to babble. Socially, they form attachments with caregivers, while cognitively, they start to recognise familiar faces. Our staff engage infants with sensory toys, music, and gentle interactions to support these early stages.
- 1–2 Years: Toddlers become more mobile, with milestones like walking and stacking blocks. Socially, they begin parallel play and show preferences for certain people. Emotionally, they may experience separation anxiety, while cognitively, they start using simple words and following basic instructions. We offer activities like toddle groups and simple puzzles to encourage independence and language development.
- 2–3 Years: At this stage, children refine motor skills, such as kicking a ball or drawing lines. Socially, they engage in cooperative play and start sharing. Emotional milestones include expressing a wider range of feelings, while cognitively, they begin sorting objects and understanding routines. Our educators facilitate group games and storytelling to build these skills.
- 3–5 Years: Preschoolers develop more complex skills, like hopping, cutting with scissors, and dressing themselves. Socially, they form friendships and negotiate during play. Emotionally, they gain confidence and manage emotions better, while cognitively, they recognise letters, count, and ask “why” questions. We provide structured activities like early literacy sessions and creative projects to support this growth.
These milestones serve as a guide, but we celebrate each child’s individual progress, ensuring no child feels pressured to meet rigid benchmarks.
How Staff Observe and Support Development
At Little Mowgli, our trained educators play a pivotal role in observing and supporting child development. We use a combination of formal and informal observation techniques to monitor progress across the four key areas. These observations help us understand each child’s strengths, interests, and areas for growth, allowing us to tailor our approach accordingly.
Daily interactions provide rich opportunities for observation. For example, an educator might note how a child shares toys during playtime (social development) or solves a puzzle (cognitive development). To support growth, our staff design activities that align with each child’s needs. For instance, a child working on fine motor skills might engage in threading beads, while another developing social skills might join a group storytelling session. We also encourage child-led play, allowing children to explore their interests, which promotes independence and confidence.
Our low staff-to-child ratios ensure that every child receives personalised attention, enabling us to respond promptly to their evolving needs.
For more information about our approach to child development, visit www.littlemowgli.com or contact our team today.
Overview of EYFS Framework
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a UK-wide framework that sets the standards for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to five years old. It provides a structured yet flexible approach to early education, ensuring that children receive high-quality care and learning experiences that promote their growth.
The EYFS is built around seven key areas of learning and development, divided into prime and specific areas. The three prime areas are:
Developing listening, understanding, and speaking skills.
Encouraging movement, coordination, and healthy habits.
Building self-confidence, relationships, and emotional resilience.
Introducing early reading and writing skills.
Exploring numbers, shapes, and problem-solving.
Discovering people, communities, and the environment.
Fostering creativity through art, music, and imaginative play.
The EYFS framework emphasises a balance between adult-led and child-initiated activities, with play at its core. It also highlights the importance of ongoing observation and assessment to track progress and tailor support to each child’s needs.
At Little Mowgli, we embrace the EYFS as a guiding principle, ensuring that every activity aligns with its standards while remaining engaging and fun.
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Real Reviews, Real Experiences
My two children aged 4 and 2 have settled in perfectly, they really have enjoyed attending. They both come home telling me all about the activities they have done that day. The smooth transition by the staff with settling in days at the nursery put me at ease and now they both attend two full days a week.
My 3-year-old recently started attending, and the transition has been smooth and reassuring. The staff are friendly and attentive. It’s been lovely to see my little one settle in so quickly and happily. Highly recommend to any parents looking for a safe, nurturing environment
My little brother has just started nursery and we was soo worried on how he would settle in but honestly he has loved every minute of being at nursery and always has a lot to tell us upon returning home I would highly recommend mowgli nursery
My nephew has recently joined the nursery and he has settled in so well he absolutely loves the team who look after him he’s always asking to go to nursery soo that’s a change keep up the good work Mowgli nursery and thankyou for being so welcoming and being courteous to our cultural needs
Brilliant nursery, my Niece and Nephew absolutely love coming here! Staff are so welcoming and nurturing and they have plenty of activities for the children throughout the day. Would recommend to others looking for a homely, safe setting to send their little ones!
I recently had a look around the nursery with a view to putting my x2 children in with me only working around the corner.
To say how pleasantly surprised i was with there facilities and organisation is a understatement, The children are booked in for the start of July, Im Really looking forward to seeing them develop here.
Such an amazing nursery with great access to the outdoor area. The children are made wonderfully healthy food with caring staff around them. The children even get access into Jungle World playarea, which is a highlight for them all. Would definitely recommend.
We Serve Families Across...
Little Mowgli Nursery welcomes children from across Leyland and nearby areas such as
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