FAQ's

Bank holiday policies vary by nursery. Most nurseries in the UK close on bank holidays to give staff time off, though some remain open to support working families. At Little Mowgli Nursery, we recommend contacting us directly to confirm our specific bank holiday schedule and any planned closures throughout the year so you can plan accordingly.

For the universal 15 hours of funded childcare, simply contact Little Mowgli Nursery directly. We'll help claim the funding from your local authority. If you're a working parent seeking 30 hours, you'll need to apply for an eligibility code through the government's Childcare Choices website first. It's best to start looking 6-12 months before your child turns three.

We develop language and literacy through daily storytelling, conversations, singing, and play-based learning in our Tigers and Giraffes rooms. Our team encourages children to express themselves, ask questions, and explore books in our nature-inspired setting. We create rich language experiences that support communication skills, vocabulary building, and early reading readiness through engaging activities tailored to each child's interests.

‍

A nursery practitioner cares for children's daily needs while planning engaging activities that support their development. They create safe, stimulating environments, build trusted relationships with children and families, and work within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. At Little Mowgli Nursery, our practitioners foster curiosity and independence, helping each child grow at their own pace.

‍

An early years practitioner is a qualified professional who works with children from birth to five years old, supporting their learning and development. They plan age-appropriate activities, observe children's progress, and ensure each child's physical and emotional needs are met. At Little Mowgli Nursery, our team creates a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

‍

Outdoor play helps children develop physical strength, coordination, and motor skills through running, jumping, and climbing. It also supports mental wellbeing, reduces stress, and encourages resilience. At Little Mowgli Nursery, we believe time spent outdoors in all weathers is essential, helping children build curiosity, social skills, and a strong connection to nature.

Help your child build independence by practising dressing themselves, using the toilet, and eating with cutlery. Read together daily, encourage them to recognise their name, and talk about feelings to build emotional readiness. At Little Mowgli Nursery, we support school preparation through our play-based curriculum, helping children develop confidence, social skills, and a love for learning.

‍

Most children begin preschool or nursery around age three, often when they become eligible for government-funded hours. The exact start date depends on when your child turns three. They can usually access their funded place from the term following their third birthday. Contact Little Mowgli Nursery to discuss the best timing for your child.

‍

Babies can start nursery from as young as a few months old, with many settings accepting children from around six months onwards. The decision depends on your family circumstances, such as when you're returning to work. At Little Mowgli Nursery, we care for children from infancy through to preschool age in our two dedicated rooms.

In the UK, we don't typically use the term "kindergarten." Children usually start in Reception class at age four or five, the September after their fourth birthday. This is part of primary school and follows the Early Years Foundation Stage. Before Reception, children often attend nursery or preschool from around age three.

‍

The first step in teaching a preschooler to read is to read to them! Start them off with stories, songs and sounds.

Set up a time each day to read together, pointing to words and talking about pictures.

Play around with phonemic awareness by emphasising the sounds letters make, not what they're called.

Play games together to identify letters which make specific sounds, or the first letter in familiar words.

Celebrate their achievements; it's the little things that count – their name, simple sight words.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, Leyland, we run fun, phonics sessions, story and sharing times and provide quality sensory materials to support early literacy in a stress-free, happy environment.

Don't rush it. Slow and steady is the way to go. And most importantly, make it fun to develop a lifelong love of reading.

The EYFS Statutory Framework recognises three prime areas that are the bedrock of early education. They are as follows: 

• Communication and Language – Listening, understanding and speaking. 
• Physical Development – Coordination, movement and self-help skills. 
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development – Confidence, making relationships and self-awareness.

The prime areas support all future learning, in literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design.

Little Mowgli Nursery bases our daily planning on the above, to ensure each child is emotionally, socially and academically flourishing.

Applying for a nursery is easy: 

• Research nurseries and visit to see the setting and meet the team.
• Check availability and funding options, e.g. 15- or 30-hour free childcare entitlements. 
• Complete an application form, usually available online or at the nursery.
• Submit required documentation (e.g. child's birth certificate, ID and any medical information).
• Attend settling-in sessions to ease your child into the setting.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, you can apply directly online or in person at our Leyland location. Our admissions team will take you through each step and help you access any government funding you are eligible for.

‍

Attendance at a nursery in the UK is not mandatory.

However, it is of great importance for socialising, communication skills, and readiness for school.

Children who have attended a nursery find it much easier to adapt to their reception class as they are already used to being in a group, to a routine, to learning through play.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we work with parents to establish the best schedule (full-time or part-time) for each child.

Playing outside is crucial for a child's physical, emotional and social development. Running, jumping, climbing and balancing all help to develop coordination and strength. Group games also foster teamwork and communication skills. Being in the fresh air and surrounded by nature can also increase concentration and reduce stress. At Little Mowgli Nursery, time spent learning outdoors is just as important as time spent in the classroom. We have secure garden areas where children can roam freely, take risks in a safe environment and develop a love and respect for nature. Using outdoor games helps to build creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills, which are essential for life but can't always be learned in an indoor environment.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the UK framework that sets the standards of learning, development, and care for babies and children from birth to 5 years in nurseries and preschools.

The EYFS sets requirements for early years providers to ensure that children have a safe and stimulating environment where they can learn and develop, whatever their background or ability.

The seven areas of learning in EYFS combine play and exploration with adult-guided and child-initiated activities.

Little Mowgli Nursery Leyland follows the EYFS principles in an attempt to help children to develop naturally with curiosity, independence and emotional well-being.

Mixing structured learning with free play, we at Little Mowgli Nursery aim to help children develop a strong foundation for starting primary school as well as future learning.

Keeping communication open and positive is key to your child's happiness and progress.

Tell us vital information (sleeping patterns, allergies, likes/dislikes) when enrolling.

Daily handovers, parent-teacher apps or diaries for updates on meals, naps and achievements

To raise concerns, schedule a private conversation - don't disrupt busy drop-off times

Inquire about your child's strengths and support needs at home, fostering trust and continuity.

Here at Little Mowgli Nursery, we prioritise parent partnerships with daily feedback, regular progress reports and an open-door policy for communication

If you want to be a nursery teacher in the UK, you will usually need to hold at least a Level 2 qualification in Childcare. There are a number of routes into early childhood education, including college study or even apprenticeships. Most practitioners continue their study through to Level 3 and beyond. It is essential to also have achieved a GCSE in English (or an equivalent level qualification).

Practitioners also need a current DBS check and safeguarding training, as well as excellent communication skills.

Some people choose to study Early Childhood Studies at university, which can also lead to management or nursery teaching assistant positions.

It is essential to be passionate about child development, patient, and creative.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, we employ qualified practitioners who are constantly furthering their training through EYFS-compliant workshops to provide the highest learning experience for children.

‍

Teaching a preschooler to read involves fostering a love of language, not pushing phonics too hard.

Begin by reading aloud every day, pointing to the words as you read. Discuss pictures, ask questions, and encourage your child to guess what comes next.

Engage in sound-recognition games (e.g., identifying words that start with the same sound) and introduce phonics through songs or rhymes.

Label everyday household items "door," "cup," "chair" to link words with objects.

Above all, ensure reading is enjoyable. Short, fun sessions are key to preschool attention spans.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, our educators seamlessly blend story time, sensory play, and interactive phonics to help children discover the joy of reading naturally.

In the UK, most children start nursery at some point between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, depending on their family circumstances and the child's individual development.

Little Mowgli Nursery admits babies from as young as six weeks old. We offer gentle routines and care, along with age-appropriate play. A little early experience of a nursery routine can help children to gain social skills and confidence and to learn independence before starting school.

Signs that your child is ready include a natural curiosity about other children, some simple communication, and the ability to spend some time away from their parents.

There is no "right" age to start nursery, as every child is different – but a good experience at nursery can set the scene for a lifetime of learning.

‍