Some first-time parents may be unaware of all the ways in which nurseries and pre-schools nurture and benefit little ones. Some may, perhaps, initially think of them simply as a crèche or playgroup where someone will look after their child, feed them, entertain them and keep them safe while parents/carers are at work. Nurseries and pre-schools do all of those things, of course. However, they’re much, much more than that and benefit little ones in a myriad of additional, often profound ways. Today we’ll take a look at just some of the many ways in which a good childcare service will benefit babies, toddlers and preschoolers in both the short and long term — beginning in the most crucial time in their early years learning and development.

Provision of a Good Early Years Education

As well as looking after little ones in their parents’ absence, good childcare settings will provide babies and children with a good early years education in a vast number of different areas. Examples include an introduction to reading, writing, phonics, arithmetic, knowledge of the world immediately around them, the planet, nature, different cultures, the arts, technology plus a huge array of additional topics. This is all incredibly important and will set them on a good path and one that is based on good educational foundations. It’ll also give them hunger for further learning as they grow and that will help them enormously when the time comes for them to transition to school.

Enhancing Children’s Communication & Language

Good childcare settings like nurseries and pre-schools will also help immensely with children’s communication and language skills. A good childcare provider will encourage little ones to listen, comprehend and engage with both their peers and the early years practitioners around them. By getting actively involved with conversations, they’ll enhance language skills, improve comprehension of topics being discussed, and be more able to communicate going forwards.

Improving Children’s Social Skills

Social skills will benefit greatly when under-fives attend a good nursery or pre-school. With enhanced language and communication skills (see above), children will naturally become more self-confident and able to feel they can speak up, take the initiative and engage confidently with both peers and adults. This naturally leads to the making of new friends and even a deepening of existing friendships. With all the different activities on offer at good childcare settings, children will have a natural propensity to play together and often build long-term friendships.

Part of improving social skills is also, of course, the learning of appropriate ways to behave, react and to treat others. Good early years practitioners will help to guide children along appropriate behavioural paths as part of their stewardship. The children will learn from this and such skills will stand them in good stead as they go through life, interacting with others with mutual respect, while minimising potential areas of stress or conflict.

Stronger Soft Skills

Good childcare settings will enhance other soft skills in the children too. For example, children will become better problem-solvers, having been guided by early years practitioners in areas like critical thinking, risk assessment and decision-making. Teamwork, a healthy degree of independence and even leadership skills will also be nurtured along the way. These are all great skills for children to have and to take with them when they leave early years childcare for school when they’re five.

Better Physical Skills & Mobility

Babies, toddlers and children who spend time at good nurseries and pre-schools will also find that they improve in terms of physical skills. With all the different activities, games, facilities and guidance on offer at well-equipped nurseries and pre-schools, infants will learn to hone fine and gross motor skills and improve aspects of movement including balance and coordination. Good childcare settings will also help in terms of the various senses. Sensory stimulation is, indeed, a very important part of children’s learning and development in their early years.

Happier Children who Have Fun

Children attending good early years settings will also be happy children. With learning mainly achieved through play, it’s naturally going to be a fun environment for them. With games, play equipment, learning activities, creative opportunities and interactions with friends, they can’t help but enjoy the whole process. Nurseries and pre-schools are inherently fun places to be. What’s more, children are learning through play all the time, even if they don’t consciously realise it.

Preparedness for School — & Life

All in all, attending a good nursery and/or pre-school will help prepare children for school — and for life in general. These are life skills and represent the foundations that will allow them to thrive going forwards. They’ll become more rounded individuals, with an enhanced set of personal, physical and cognitive skills and such things can only boost their success in life, as individuals and members of society. A 2011 study by the OECD found that children who had received a good early years education were the equivalent of a year ahead in performance terms by the time they were 15. Other studies have shown that a good early years education will ultimately help with the potential for upward social mobility too. That’s all incredible when you think about it.

A Nursery Place for Your Baby, Toddler or Under 5 Child in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex

At Tic Toc Nursery, we fully understand the important impact that an outstanding childcare service can have on young children’s lives. These are their most formative years and we do everything we can to help them absolutely thrive, becoming the best versions of themselves and giving them the tools to succeed long after they’ve left us at the age of five. If you are looking for the best childcare service for your baby or under-five child in the Clayhall/Ilford area of Essex, do consider Tic Toc Nursery. Better still, come and visit the nursery/pre-school with your child and you’ll soon see why Tic Toc Nursery could be an excellent choice. Our nursery and pre-school is located in Clayhall, Ilford (IG5), Essex, also being close to Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford or Fulwell Cross. Make contact with us to learn more, to ask any questions or simply to request a nursery place for your child.