What Will My Child Learn at Nursery? A Guide for Curious Parents
- Caroline Curtis
- Jul 12
- 6 min read
Sending your child to nursery is a big step – both for parents and for children.
Naturally, parents are curious and would like to know more about what their children are doing when they are away from them.
It’s also natural to wonder about the benefits of nursery education and how nursery prepares children for school.
Children in nursery schools are young and are developing rapidly. This is why a play-based approach to learning and development is best for them.
So, what do children learn in nursery school? Let’s take a look at the structure and routine of a nursery.
The Role of Nursery in Early Development
It is important to remember that a nursery is so much more than just childcare.
At nursery, your child is learning the building blocks for lifelong learning. All based around a structured day, with routine helping them to know what’s coming next and to feel safe.
Nursery provides a safe setting for early social interactions for young children, helping them to develop, grow in confidence, and encouraging curiosity.
Within England, nursery settings must follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – a framework which sets standards that all early years providers must meet. Wales and Scotland follow a similar framework.
EYFS Key Learning Areas in Nursery
The EYFS has 6 key areas of learning. Under each area, the framework sets out the learning outcomes for children.
It is the role of the educational setting to ensure opportunities are provided for the children to achieve such outcomes.
Let’s take a closer look at each area, focusing on what your child will learn at nursery.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Children in nursery are encouraged to be independent, to develop confidence, and feel good about themselves. This can be achieved by asking the children to hang their own bag, to wash and dry their hands etc.
Cooperation is important; this is where children learn to follow rules and routines in their setting. They will learn simple rules such as taking turns, sharing, and independent skills through various activities such as playing games.
Children develop socially, making bonds and building friendships. They will be encouraged to understand and talk about their feelings, and know right from wrong.
Communication & Language
Through simple conversation, storytelling, and role play, children have opportunities to expand their vocabulary.
Nursery rhymes and songs are invaluable in supporting early language development and preparing children for reading and writing later. [1]
Purposeful and sensitive questioning, and well-modelled language from staff, will support children to develop new vocabulary and language skills.
Children will build their listening skills, understand and respond to simple instructions, and are encouraged to ask questions, through a variety of activities such as story time, circle time, songs, and games.
Physical Development
There are 3 areas of physical development that activities within a nursery setting will aim to achieve:
Gross motor skills - includes running, climbing, balancing, coordination, jumping, hopping, skipping, and negotiating space and obstacles safely.
Fine motor skills - includes using a range of small tools, including scissors, paint brushes, and cutlery, as well as pencil grip development, and beginning to show accuracy and care when writing and/or drawing.
Self-care skills - include dressing, washing hands, personal care needs, and making healthy food choices.
Literacy & Numeracy Foundations
Children will have opportunities to develop early reading and writing through a range of activities, including mark-making (drawing shapes in various materials such as sand), letter recognition, and phonics exercises and activities.
They will be introduced to numbers, counting, basic maths concepts, shapes, sorting, and pattern recognition through games and tasks. These may include completing jigsaws, sorting animals into size groups, and shape hunting around the setting.
Understanding the World
Opportunities such as visits to the local village/town, libraries, shops etc, aid in learning about the world around them, nature and seasons. Themes such as ‘All About Me’ and ‘People Who Help’ focus on the importance of family and communities.
There will be opportunities to explore different cultures, traditions, and environments. This can be through song, dance, art, ways of dress, foods and daily routines and celebrations. At Lucky Beans Childcare, we pride ourselves in diversity, understanding and celebrating different cultures around the world.
Expressive Arts & Design
Children will engage in creative play through painting, drawing, music, dance, role and dramatic play, design and technology, and movement.
They are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through these expressions - to be individual and confident.
Preparing Children for School
How nursery prepares children for school, aside from the early years learning goals above, is through practical everyday means.
Routines and everyday practices are set out and followed.
Children will become familiar with group settings, activities, and what is expected, such as washing hands before meals. As we’ve already mentioned, children are encouraged to be independent.
Skills and habits, such as toileting, independent dressing, eating independently etc, are promoted. These developmental milestones are being monitored by the nursery setting, ensuring children are given the chance to develop and grow.
Through activities at nursery, children are developing their listening skills, learn to pay attention, and learn to follow instructions.
A Day in the Life at Nursery
So, what does a day in the life of your child at nursery look like?
The exact nursery activities for toddlers and children will vary from day to day, and month to month. This ensures that activities are fresh and keep children interested and making progress towards their goal.
A typical day at Lucky Beans nursery will follow this pattern: *the structure may alter from time to time
- Drop off after 7:30 with your child’s key person/member of the team. A healthy and nutritious breakfast is provided, with teeth brushing afterwards
- Free play such as sensory activities through tuff trays based on our monthly theme. Children are encouraged to choose their activities independently
- Morning snack, a choice of healthy fruits
- Structured learning activities, including music, as well as extra-curricular activities such as Spanish, tennis, or ballet (some of these are provided by our outside educators)
- 11:45-12:00 Lunch time - All our meals are home-cooked, prepared at one of our Lucky Beans’ settings. We encourage children to have a healthy relationship with food
- More free play
- Afternoon snack
- Outdoor exploration and activities. Our children spend a lot of time outdoors following our forest school ethos. Every site has a uniquely designed outdoor space, including sensory play, gardening, outdoor kitchen, play structures, and much more
- Nap time. Sleep and rest are vital for healthy development. Our nursery settings transform into cosy sleeping spaces, inviting children to rest or nap
- Supper time
- More free play if time allows.
- Pick up time
This type of timetable allows for a balance between structured activities and free time, and exploration. It also allows for ample outdoor play time and real hands-on experiences.
Your child will learn at nursery through engaging activities where they learn through doing.
Supporting Your Child’s Learning at Home
You may want to want to support your child at home, and ensure that you’re reflecting the learning and progress that they’re making at nursery.
You can do this by;
Reading together
Singing songs and nursery rhymes
Colour recognition and naming activities
Counting and simple number work
Sticking to routines
Allowing and encouraging independence
Talking about feelings and understanding how to regulate emotions
Speaking about their day
Nursery provides a vital foundation for your child to develop in all areas – from language and communication to physical skills, from practising routines to social confidence and emotional wellbeing.
It’s a place where children thrive through free play, discovery, and gentle guidance and structured activities.
Want to know more?Why not book a visit, chat to us about our curriculum, or meet with staff to learn more about how your child will learn and grow with us at Lucky Beans?
In our blog section, you’ll find further guides on development, starting at nursery, settling-in tips, healthy eating, and much more.
FAQs:
Q1: What age do children start nursery in the UK?
Children can start nursery as early as 1 year old, but most begin around 2 or 3 years of age. This is unique to every family, depending on their needs and provisions available to them.
Q2: Is nursery just playing or do they actually learn?
Play is the work of children – as Jean Piaget, a famous child psychologist, once said.
Children learn through play. This is why the EYFS framework uses structured play and play-based activities to teach key skills and promote development, making sure that children have chances to meet their developmental milestones in nursery.
Q3: How does nursery prepare my child for school?
Nursery introduces routines, social settings, and early learning concepts.
Together in a setting, with modelled behaviour and encouragement from staff, children build their confidence and develop the skills needed to thrive in the school class environment.
Q4: What if my child is shy or doesn’t talk much?
We know that every child is different, and each child’s learning journey is individual.
Our staff are trained to support children at their own pace, to encourage speech, confidence, and comfort gradually.
Q5: Will I get updates on what my child is learning?
Yes – whether through nursery/school apps and platforms, learning journals, parent meetings, and newsletters, we enjoy the opportunity to keep you updated and to share your child’s progress within the nursery.
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