EVENTS & GALLERY

Can pulling a silly face really support big learning? This week, our All About Me activities explored PSED through mirrors, emotions, body awareness, families, Golden Rules and plenty of laughter. From recognising feelings to learning about kindness, sharing and belonging, we looked at how Personal, Social and Emotional Development grows through everyday nursery experiences.

Starting nursery, moving up to preschool, returning after the summer or beginning big school can all bring big feelings. We explore why separation anxiety and uncertainty are a natural part of transitions, how familiar routines and trusted relationships help children feel secure, and the practical ways Fun Box supports both children and parents as they settle into something new.

As the summer holidays came to an end, we celebrated the final week of the 2025–2026 academic year in true Fun Box style! The children explored our local area with maps and small-world play, enjoyed their very own New Forest Show with garden show jumping, practised washing and hanging socks, and investigated a citrus and herb sensory tray. We also said goodbye to our last school leavers and welcomed some of our newest children as they began their settling-in sessions. A lovel

Exploring Our Local Area gave our Preschool children many opportunities to discover the world all around them. From New Forest sensory trays and bug hunts to a picnic by the duck pond and a visit to our local ASDA, the week was full of real-life learning. The children explored natural materials, practised balancing, noticed buildings, investigated fruit and vegetables with their senses, spotted numbers and even helped choose and buy their own snack. Everyday places became exc

Creativity in young children begins long before crayons and paint. Through sensory play, unusual materials and open-ended experiences, babies and toddlers collect the knowledge they later use to imagine, experiment and create. From jelly and Crazy Soap to bubble wrap, splat painting and even tyres, discover how simple opportunities to explore can build confidence, problem-solving, language and creative thinking – and why the process often matters far more than the finished re

Trying to understand funded childcare can leave parents with more questions than answers. This article explains which support may apply to your family, how many hours you could receive, when funding starts, which deadlines matter and what you need to do next. From the Working Families Entitlement to Universal Funding and support for eligible two-year-olds, we have brought the key information together in one clear, friendly place—without the jargon. No paperwork maze—just the

A Goodbye Poem for the Class of 2026 who are leaving Fun Box Day Nursery to start school.

Going on holiday with children can be magical, memorable and just a little chaotic. From emergency toilet stops and endless snacks to new foods, music, maps, water play and imperfect family photos, our mini travel consultants share their funniest holiday advice. We also include practical guidance on water safety, sun protection and food hygiene, helping families enjoy their well-earned break safely—and return home with plenty of stories, sandy shoes and special memories to tr

Hot summer nights can make bedtime a challenge for everyone—but especially for babies and young children. ☀️🌙 In this article, we've combined a little Fun Box humour with trusted safe sleep guidance from the Department for Education, The Lullaby Trust and other leading organisations. Discover our children's tongue-in-cheek "expert" tips for keeping cool, alongside practical, evidence-based advice to help your little one sleep safely during hot weather. 💙

What do sea creatures, shells and coral reefs have to do with learning? 🐠🌊 This week, our nursery was transformed into an underwater world as the children's curiosity led us beneath the waves. From fishing for numbered fish to creating colourful coral reefs and exploring sensory rock pools, every activity helped develop language, creativity, mathematical thinking and imagination. Discover how everyday experiences can inspire meaningful learning through play. 🐚💙

This week's heatwave certainly kept us on our toes! 🌞 While many adults were searching for ways to escape the heat, our children were doing what they do best—learning through play. One of the biggest hits this week was, unsurprisingly, water! Water play isn't just a fantastic way to help children cool down during hot weather. It also supports almost every area of their development. As children pour, splash, experiment, measure and explore, they're building their language, ma

Explore how fathers and other positive male role models influence children's development

Could emotional literacy be more important than ABCs? 🤔 This week, inspired by The Colour Monster, we explored feelings through stories, play, art and conversation. Emotional literacy helps children recognise, understand and talk about their emotions, laying the foundations for confidence, friendships, resilience and school readiness. Discover why learning the language of feelings may be one of the most important skills children develop in the early years. ❤️

When parents think about maths, they often think about counting. But the most important early maths skills children need before school are often hidden within everyday play. From spotting patterns and recognising shapes to measuring, comparing and problem-solving, young children develop mathematical thinking through hands-on experiences. Discover how this week's activities at Fun Box are helping children build strong foundations for future learning through play, exploration a

As temperatures rose this week, our children enjoyed water fights, ice rescues, fishing games and water wheel experiments while learning how to stay cool and safe. In this article, we explore why babies and young children are more vulnerable to hot weather, the signs of overheating and dehydration, and practical NHS-backed advice for keeping children safe this summer. Plus, discover how water play supports learning, wellbeing and child development.

What does Elmer the Elephant teach children about emotional regulation? At Fun Box Day Nursery, we explored how stories, play and supportive relationships help children recognise, express and manage big feelings safely. Through colourful Elmer activities, emotional literacy games, messy play and storytelling, the children developed confidence, communication and resilience while learning that all feelings are welcome and that they do not have to manage them alone.

School readiness is about far more than numbers and letters. 🌱 This week at nursery, the children explored maps, music, independence and sensory play while building confidence, communication and curiosity through everyday experiences. From creating passports to cutting strawberries independently, discover what school readiness really looks like — and why some of the most important learning happens in the smallest moments of all.

A story of how our little nursery went to space this week - explore space activities for toddlers with Fun Box

Confused about the new zero screen time advice for under-2s? In this article, we explore what the guidance really means, how strictly parents need to follow it, and why balance matters more than perfection. We also share practical alternatives to screen time, from repetitive play for babies to story-based activities for toddlers and preschoolers, showing how simple everyday experiences can support healthy development, communication, creativity and learning.

This article explores what to expect from speech and language development from 0–4 years, offering reassurance, practical guidance, and simple ways to support your child at home.