Skip to content

Reading Corner

Our Blogs

Welcome to our Reading Corner. Here you’ll find our latest blog posts and articles on early years education, parenting advice, and how we do things here at Tommies.

New Ofsted Report Cards: What Parents Need to Know About Ofsted Nursery Grades

In November 2025, Ofsted fundamentally changed how it reports inspection findings for nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, and all education providers across England. If you have a child in early years care or are researching nursery options, understanding the
Read More

What Do Children Do at Nursery? First Steps Room (1-2 Years)

What Do Children Do at Nursery? First Steps Room (1-2 Years) What Do “First Steppers” Actually Do at Nursery All Day? Several years ago, we made the decision at multiple nurseries where we had the space, to
Read More

What to Expect When Visiting a Nursery

Choosing a Nursery: What to Expect When Visiting a Nursery When the time comes to choose a nursery for your child, you will probably want to shortlist a number of day nurseries to visit. Most parents consider
Read More

Understanding Early Years Nursery Assessments

Understanding Early Years Nursery Assessments How Are Early Years Nurseries Assessing Children? Assessing young children, especially those under 5, may seem unusual at first. However, in nurseries and other early years settings, early years assessments are conducted
Read More

What Do Children Do at Nursery? Baby Room (0-1 Year)

What Do Children Do at Nursery? Baby Room (0-1 Year) What Do Babies Actually Do at Nursery All Day? If you’re a parent of a baby under 12 months old, you might have wondered exactly what your
Read More

When to Apply for a Primary School Place

When to Apply for a Primary School Place For many parents, the idea of applying for a primary or junior school place once seemed far off. Perhaps it still feels like yesterday you were welcoming a new
Read More

Parent Wellbeing: Simple Ways to Care for Yourself

Parent Wellbeing: Simple Ways to Care for Yourself The transition from life without children to life with children is arguably one of the greatest you’ll make in adult life. So many parents can vouch for this. But
Read More

Early Years Funding Made Easy with ‘Funding Loop’

Early Years Funding Made Easy with ‘Funding Loop’ If you’ve previously had a child at a Tommies nursery, you may already be familiar with ‘Funding Loop’. If not, this guide explains what Funding Loop is and the
Read More

6 Simple Ways to Keep Your Under 5 Safe Online

Six Simple Ways to Keep Under-5s Safe Online The use of technology across our society has increased dramatically, and young children are using devices at an increasingly early age. As parents and carers, the big question on
Read More