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“Why does my child keep throwing things?” If this sounds familiar, your little one might be exploring something known as the Trajectory Schema  — a fascinating stage in their early learning journey. What Is the Trajectory Schema? The Trajectory Schema is all about exploring movement and direction . Children showing this schema are curious about how things move — whether they’re flying through the air, rolling across the floor, or dropping from a height. It’s their way of inve

We often celebrate how children learn best through play. But have you ever noticed your child doing the same action again and again? These repeated play patterns are called schemas , and they’re an important window into how children make sense of the world. What Exactly Are Schemas? Schemas are natural, recurring behaviours children use as they explore and learn. At first glance, they might look random—like a toddler endlessly dropping objects, wrapping themselves in blankets

Children thrive on predictability. It might not seem exciting to an adult, but for a young child, knowing what comes next  gives them the security and confidence they need to explore and learn. At House on the Dials, our daily routines are gentle, consistent, and child-friendly — helping children feel safe, settled, and ready to learn. Why Routines Matter Imagine starting each day not knowing where you'll be, what’s expected of you, or when your next meal is coming. That’s ho

For many grown-ups, the word “maths” might bring back memories of worksheets and times tables. But in early childhood, maths is something much more playful, natural, and even musical than that! At House on the Dials, we weave maths into children’s everyday play, routines, and adventures—rather than treating it as a formal subject. The wonderful part? Most of the time, children don’t even realise they’re learning maths at all. Here are some of the fun ways we bring numbers, pa

At our nursery and preschool, we embrace the mess—because when little hands get busy, big learning is happening! Whether it’s paint in their hair or sand in their socks, these are signs that your child has had a rich, hands-on day of exploration. It’s all thanks to something we love and encourage daily: messy play . What Exactly Is Messy Play? Messy play refers to open-ended, sensory-rich activities  that let children explore with their hands (and often their whole bodies!).

When you think of literacy, you might picture children reading books or writing letters. But did you know that long before they can do either, children are already developing the building blocks of reading and writing — through play? At House on the Dials Day Nursery and Preschool, we believe that literacy begins long before school — and that play is the most powerful tool we have  to support language, communication, and early reading skills. Here’s how we bring literacy to l

Starting Reception is a major milestone—not just for your child, but for you too! Our preschool staff are already working hard to prepare children for the transition, but there’s plenty you can do at home to support their development and boost their independence.

Healthy eating is crucial for early childhood development. In day nurseries, providing nourishing meals helps lay the groundwork for lifelong healthy habits. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of healthy eating at House on the Dials Day Nursery and explain the rationale behind not serving traditional desserts. The Importance of Healthy Eating in Day Nurseries During the nursery years, children are at a critical stage of growth and development. A balanced diet

Sharing and exploring our feelings with others Transitioning into Nursery can be daunting for many children, but it also offers significant opportunities for emotional growth. In this environment, children confront various challenges that help them manage their feelings and reactions. Teachers play a vital role by fostering a safe space where children are encouraged to express their emotions openly. For example, discussing feelings during story time helps to cultivate empathy

The nursery and preschool experience is not just another step in education; it's a crucial phase in a child's early life. This phase nurtures essential academic skills and plays an important role in social and emotional development. By looking closely at what young learners go through during these formative years, we can better appreciate the value of this early experience. At the heart of our nursery is play-based learning. This method encourages children to explore their su