This Christmas, take extra care when shopping for toys:

• Buy from reputable retailers: Stick to trusted websites or well-known stores.
• Check for safety certifications: Look for markings like the CE label or UKCA symbol, which indicate compliance with safety standards.
• Read reviews: If a toy seems too good to be true, check what other buyers have said about it.
• Avoid unbranded or generic items: These are often cheaply made and poorly tested.

Every child deserves a safe and happy Christmas. Let’s make sure the gifts under the tree bring joy—not danger. For more information please find the link below:

A Journey Through Time

St Albans boasts a rich tapestry of history that stretches back over 2,000 years. Originally known as Verulamium, it was one of the largest towns in Roman Britain. Visitors can step back in time at the Verulamium Museum, which houses fascinating Roman mosaics, artifacts, and reconstructions of daily life from the Roman era. Nearby, the remains of a Roman theatre—the only one of its kind in Britain—offer a glimpse into the entertainment of ancient times.

The city owes its name to Saint Alban, Britain’s first Christian martyr. The stunning St Albans Cathedral, built in his honor, dominates the skyline with its medieval architecture and serene beauty. With its long nave, exquisite stained glass windows, and peaceful gardens, it’s a must-visit for anyone exploring the city.

• Lighting Diyas: If celebrating Diwali with candles or oil lamps, place them on stable surfaces, out of reach of children.
• Firework Safety: Similar to Bonfire Night, fireworks should be handled by adults, and children should watch from a safe distance.
• Home Safety: If using sparklers or fireworks at home, keep water nearby and make sure children know to stay back.

Here are some top tips to help prepare children for holidays:

1. Share holiday plans with your child’s nursery throughout the year, including overnight stays, weekends away or longer overseas trips so that they can help your child prepare for the experiences.

2. If children are going on a mode of transport such as an aeroplane, spend some time in the weeks ahead preparing them. Point out planes in the sky, explain how aeroplanes work or share books about air travel. This can be replicated for different modes of transport.

5. Give children a blank notebook and pencil to take on holiday and encourage them to record their experiences in their own way, which could include marks, words, drawings, collected items etc. Use this to help children recall and share their holiday experiences. If possible, also share photos of holidays to encourage conversations and to share at nursery when they get back.

6. Families not going away can plan days out at home, visiting local places of interest.  Museums and parks are often free to visit and children can be involved in planning and preparing a family picnic

Reggio Emilia is an educational philosophy and approach to teaching young children that originated in the town of Reggio Emilia in Italy after World War II. It is based on the idea that children are capable of constructing their own learning and that they learn best through exploration and discovery in a supportive and nurturing environment

The Reggio Emilia approach also values the role of the environment in learning. Classroom spaces are carefully designed to be visually appealing, with natural materials and open spaces that encourage exploration and creativity.

Self-regulation in children refers to their ability to control their emotions, impulses, and adapt behaviour to different situations. It is a fundamental skill that gives children confidence to embrace challenges, make considerate decisions, and build resilience as they grow and learn.

Creating a predictable bedtime routine helps signal to your little one’s body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Establish a soothing routine that includes activities like a sleepy snack and/or milk, a warm bath, story time and cuddles. Little ones thrive on consistency, so stick to the same routine every night.

Little one’s day time needs vary by child but pay attention to age-appropriate nap needs and awake windows – and these change regularly from 4-8 months. A four-month-old would typically need around 3.5-4 hours or daytime sleep whereas an 8-month-old around 2-2.5 hours. Bear in mind this is the average, and some little ones will need more or less than this, plus it depends on how much overnight sleep they are having. Avoid danger naps – even a few minutes – or too close to bedtime, as this can interfere with falling asleep at night.

Ensuring good oral hygiene practices in childhood sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we play a crucial role in teaching children the importance of taking care of their teeth and gums. Here are a few key points:

• Start teaching them early
• Brush twice a day
• Make it fun
• Promote healthy eating habits
• Regular check ups at the dentist

Encourage your child to use her imagination and creativity to tell a story. This can be done verbally or through drawings. Ask them questions about the characters and prompt them to develop their stories.

Set up a designated area in your home for your child to create art. Provide a variety of materials such as paints, crayons, and paper. Encourage your child to experiment with different colours and techniques, and let him express himself freely.

In recent years, there have been numerous cases of dodgy recalled children’s toys being sold online, which poses a serious risk to the safety of children. These toys may have been recalled by manufacturers due to defects that can cause injury or harm to children, but they still make their way into the market through third-party sellers.

The problem is particularly prevalent on online marketplaces, where sellers can easily create listings for products without proper scrutiny or regulation.

The Safer Sleep guidelines were developed by the Lullaby Trust, a UK-based charity that promotes safe sleeping practices for babies to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Keeping your child safe online is an increasingly important concern for parents. The internet is a vast and ever-growing resource than can be both educational and entertaining, but it also poses certain risks to children. Here are some tips to keep your child safe while there’re online.

By following these tips, you can help keep your child safe while there’re online, and give them the tools they need to navigate the internet responsibly.

Birdwatching is a fun and exciting hobby, that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, including children!

Not only is it a great way to spend time outdoors, but it also allows children to learn about different types of birds and their habitats.

As children and parents are welcomed to their birthday party, Sagar and Rinu reflect on the community and the business they have built over the last 12 months.

      “We now have the nursery of our dreams – a beautiful environment for young children in the heart of this busy, diverse community.  Supporting our talented team of staff as they nurture and educate the children and building relationships with their families is so satisfying – we love it!” 

So, what was it about Canopy that made Sagar and Rinu feel so confident that this was the right franchise for them?

Firstly, the Canopy brand, values and ethos resonated with them.

We have developed Canopy Children’s Nurseries as a fresh, new nursery concept which nurtures a unique ecosystem for babies and young children to grow, learn and thrive.

Our child-led approach to early years education creates rich environments where our unique pedagogy, ‘The Canopy Code’ can be delivered in a highly engaging way.

Curious explorers, confident communicators, independent learners and inquisitive thinkers are the life skills, attitudes and behaviours we want to nurture in our children, alongside the core EYFS curriculum.

Canopy was developed during lockdown, combining my team’s nursery and franchising experience with a desire to build an exciting and aspirational new brand in the nursery market.

Parents need different things from a nursery now from when I started in this business 17 years ago. Parents today work more remotely and autonomously which results in a demand for more convenient and flexible childcare to fit around their lifestyle.  They expect state of the art security systems and digital technology which facilitates instant two-way communication with their child’s carers and educators. They prioritise nutrition, natural resources and outdoor play, seeking calm, natural environments where their children will be nurtured as individuals to reach their potential.

It is also encouraging to see the growing importance of ethical considerations in parents’ decision-making and this is the area where we are currently focusing our attention, developing a sustainability policy which will embed sustainable practices in all our settings and teach our children how to respect the natural world and each other.

The success of our first franchisees is crucial to demonstrate the strength of the brand and the business model.  As Canopy Wembley Park exceeds performance expectations at the end of its first operating year, the mutually supportive relationship between us continues to strengthen.