Toddler Rooms at Our Nursery in Wirral

Q: What is the staff-to-child ratio in the Toddler Room?

We follow the national EYFS guidance of a 1:5 staff-to-child ratio for toddlers aged 2–3. This means each practitioner cares for no more than five children, ensuring your child receives plenty of individual attention, comfort, and supervision throughout the day.

Q: How does your nursery support toilet training?

Toilet training is a big milestone, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. We follow your home routine to keep things consistent and use positive reinforcement, gentle reminders, and lots of encouragement. Toddlers have easy access to child-sized toilets, with staff close by to help while promoting independence. We adapt to each child’s pace, and our team is always happy to offer tips and guidance when needed.

Q: How do you communicate with parents about daily routines and progress?

We keep parents closely involved through daily handovers and regular updates on meals, naps, activities, and milestones. You’ll also have regular meetings with your child’s key person to review progress and chat through any questions or support needs. We’re always here to talk.

Q: What happens if my child is unwell at nursery?

Your child’s well-being is our top priority. If they become unwell during the day, we’ll contact you immediately and keep them comfortable with a familiar staff member until collection. We follow our own sickness guidelines and policy, and take advice from NHS and Public Health England guidelines for illnesses to keep all children well and minimise contagious illnesses being passed on. With your consent, we can administer medication in line with our policy. All staff are trained in paediatric first aid, and we’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

Q: Do toddlers nap during the day, and where do they sleep?

Yes, toddlers are given the opportunity to nap as part of their daily routine, and we aim to follow the sleep schedule that works best for your child. We provide comfortable sleep mats or beds in a calm, quiet space within the toddler room, where children can rest undisturbed and feel secure. Each child has their own labelled bedding, and sleep areas are kept clean and safe. Our staff monitor sleeping children closely with regular checks to ensure their comfort and well-being. Whether your toddler needs a short nap or a longer rest, we work with parents to support their individual needs and routines.

Q: How is my child’s development tracked?

At our nursery, we closely follow the Early Years Foundation Stage ( EYFS ) framework to monitor and support your child’s development. Each toddler is assigned a dedicated key person who observes, tracks, and celebrates their progress across key areas such as communication, physical development, and social skills. Observations are made during play and routine activities to build a well-rounded picture of your child’s interests and abilities. We use this insight to tailor activities that help them thrive. We also hold parent meetings to discuss milestones, next steps, and how we can support your child together.

At Smarties Nursery in Wirral, our Toddler Rooms encourage independence, imagination, and early friendships—with caring staff, hands-on activities, and plenty of outdoor play every day.

Where Toddlers Learn Through Play and Discovery

Our Toddler Room is designed for children aged 2–3 years—an age full of curiosity, movement, and discovery. With a 1:5 staff-to-child ratio, we offer a safe, nurturing space where toddlers build confidence, develop friendships, and enjoy hands-on learning through purposeful play.

1:5 Staff-to-Child Ratio

Individual attention and nurturing care from experienced early years staff.

Support with Toilet Training

Gentle, coordinated approach in partnership with parents to build confidence and routine.

EYFS-Aligned Activities

All play and routines support the Early Years Foundation Stage learning goals.

Flexible Routines

A day structure that blends familiar rhythms with child-led exploration and discovery.

Parent Partnerships

Daily updates, consistent key person relationships, and open communication to support each child’s needs.

A Rich, Active Environment for Curious Toddlers At Our Nursery In Wirral

Our toddler room is filled with exciting opportunities for hands-on learning and discovery. Through purposeful play and access to a wide variety of resources, children build the confidence, coordination, and creativity they need to thrive.

Tactile exploration helps develop early science skills and fine motor coordination through pouring, scooping, and splashing.

Sand & Water Play

Toddlers act out real-life experiences, build social understanding, and develop language skills.

Small World & Role Play

Messy art and painting sessions encourage creativity, self-expression, and mark-making for early writing.

Creative Arts & Painting

Stacking blocks and building structures support spatial reasoning and hand–eye coordination.

Construction & Building

Indoor and outdoor activities help toddlers develop strength, balance, and early physical confidence.

Movement & Motor Skills

Our garden is always open—whatever the weather—offering space to run, climb, and explore safely.

All-Weather Outdoor Play

Key Person System

Every child is assigned a dedicated key person who builds a nurturing, secure relationship with them.

This consistent bond helps toddlers settle in, feel safe, and thrive emotionally.

Key staff members also maintain close contact with parents, sharing daily updates and developmental milestones.

Toilet Training Support

We work closely with parents to support toilet training at a pace that’s right for each child.

Staff offer gentle encouragement, build independence, and maintain consistent routines, helping toddlers feel confident and proud of their progress.

Social & Emotional Development

At this age, children begin forming friendships, learning to share, and expressing their feelings.

Through group play, role modelling, and one-to-one support, we help toddlers develop empathy, confidence, and emotional awareness.

Building Independence

From choosing their own activities to helping tidy up, toddlers are encouraged to make small choices and explore with confidence.

These early steps in independence help build resilience, pride, and a love of learning.

Communication & Language Growth

Songs, stories, and everyday conversations help toddlers expand their vocabulary and learn to express themselves clearly.

Staff are trained to model language, introduce new words, and support both verbal and non-verbal communication.

Routine & Reassurance

A calm and consistent daily routine provides the structure toddlers need to feel secure.

We keep transitions smooth, allow time for rest, and work around individual needs to ensure children feel settled and confident throughout the day.

Big Development for Little Explorers

At Smarties Nursery in Wirral, our toddler room follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), supporting learning through purposeful play. Every activity is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and help toddlers meet important milestones — all while having fun.

Communication & Language

Toddlers expand their vocabulary through songs, stories, and playful conversations — with staff modelling language and encouraging expression.

Physical Development

With climbing frames, trikes, and outdoor play, toddlers develop balance, coordination, and muscle strength — both fine and gross motor skills.

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

Children build friendships, learn to share, and express emotions. Staff nurture confidence and empathy through warm, consistent care.

Expressive Arts & Design

Messy play, painting, role play, and music sessions help toddlers explore creativity, imagination, and sensory expression in a joyful environment.

Understanding the World

Toddlers learn about nature, people, and places through outdoor discovery, seasonal activities, and imaginative play with real-world themes.

Mathematics

Through counting songs, puzzles, construction play, and comparing sizes or shapes, toddlers begin building early number sense and problem-solving.

Literacy

Books, mark making, and storytelling help toddlers develop early reading and writing interest, setting the stage for future literacy skills.

Our Key Person System

At this stage of growing independence and big emotions, toddlers benefit from strong, trusting relationships with familiar adults. That’s why every child in our Toddler Room at Smarties Nursery in Wirral is assigned a dedicated key person – someone who really gets to know them, offering the comfort and consistency they need to feel secure and thrive.

How it works:

Trusted Relationships: Your child’s key person provides individualised care, helping them feel safe, supported, and ready to explore.
Developmental Tracking: Key people observe play, track progress, and tailor activities to support speech, confidence, physical development, and social skills.
Daily Communication: You’ll receive verbal updates at drop-off and collection, sharing key moments from your child’s day including meals, naps, moods, and achievements.
Consistency from Home to Nursery: We follow your routines and preferences closely—whether it’s comfort items, toileting needs, or how your child likes to settle.

Why it matters

The key person system is at the heart of our home-from-home ethos. It strengthens bonds, creates consistency, and ensures that every child receives the right balance of emotional support, learning opportunities, and loving care.

Supporting You Every Step of the Way

Whether it’s routines or progress updates, our nursery in Wirral is here to support you. Explore our FAQs or contact our friendly team.

Get in Touch With Our Team

What is the staff-to-child ratio in the Toddler Room?

How does your nursery support toilet training?

How do you communicate with parents about daily routines and progress?

What happens if my child is unwell at nursery?

Do toddlers nap during the day, and where do they sleep?

How is my child’s development tracked?