Tag Archive for: free childcare hours

Leaf Nature Hunt Activity for Kids – with Free Reference Poster
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Leaf Nature Hunt Activity for Kids – with Free Reference Poster

Leaf Nature Hunt Activity for Kids – with Free Reference Poster

Summer and autumn are wonderful times for children to experience nature in its full glory.Summer and autumn are wonderful times for children to experience nature in its full glory. At such times, the natural world is brimming with colourful flora and fauna, and it’s a spectacular feast for their eyes and senses. Outdoors, little ones can learn an enormous amount about the natural world around them, enjoy some fresh air and freedom – under supervision, of course — and reap the many, profound benefits that nature will provide. With this in mind, today’s post focuses on the rich variety of leaves that children can be encouraged to look out for in a leaf nature hunt activity.

Children under five will enjoy the simple activity of discovering leaves of different colours, shapes, and sizes — many are beautiful and incredibly intricate.We’ve generated a free reference poster for the activity, which is available for download today. The poster features 16 leaf varieties that children can look out for as part of their leaf-spotting challenge. Those under five will enjoy the simple activity of discovering leaves of different colours, shapes, and sizes — many are beautiful and intricate if they take the opportunity to take a closer look. Older children can be challenged to take things further by learning how to recognise and name the different types. Our free reference poster will help. Take a look below and download a free leaf reference poster today. And be sure to visit this blog area again soon, as we’ll follow up with some creative leaf art activities in the near future. Happy foraging!

Grab Your Child’s Free Poster!

Click the preview image below to either download or view the leaf reference poster in high resolution. On most devices, a right-click is the correct approach if you’d like to save the poster file. (It’s an Acrobat PDF that’s less than 2MB in size, so it should not take long to download, even on a mobile device). We recommend printing it from the Acrobat file using your highest-quality settings and paper. It will print in high definition up to A3, but children may also find an A4 or A5 leaflet size print-out beneficial during their outdoor leaf hunt. Use the little tick boxes to mark each type of leaf as it’s successfully discovered.

Download your free 'Leaf Nature Hunt' activity poster and reference sheet.

Points for Children to Note

Encourage children to take a deep, close-up look at the leaves. Many are quite beautiful and incredibly intricate up close. For example:

  • Take time to encourage children to take a good look at the beauty and structure of leaves up close.Point out the huge variety of different shapes, sizes, and textures of leaves in the natural world.
  • Draw children’s attention to the stalk (a.k.a. ‘petiole’), central midrib, and veins that support the structure of each leaf.
  • Suggest your child holds the different leaves up to the light, so they can see the fine filigree of miniature channels (called venules) that transport moisture and nutrients to all parts of a leaf.
  • Children can note the different types of seeds that grow with the various leaves. From conkers, acorns, and hazelnuts to winged seeds like those on a sycamore or acer, nature really is miraculous when you think about it.
  • A special mention goes to lime leaves. From mid-summer to autumn, they feature quite beautiful seed clusters that are both functional and highly decorative. See the example on the 3rd row, 2nd from the right, on the reference poster.
  • Oak leaves feature their wonderful acorn sprigs in summer and early autumn. These are also rather gorgeous if you take time to admire them. However, always ensure babies, toddlers, and young children are kept safe from the potential choking hazard represented by the acorns themselves.
  • Ivy leaves look quite unique once their distinctive flower clusters appear. These are much-loved by pollinators and will usually attract a wide variety that includes hoverflies, honeybees, butterflies, and many more.
  • Ivy is also one of only four featured leaves that are evergreen. Others on the poster are holly, laurel, and rhododendron. These are a good opportunity to teach children the difference between evergreen and deciduous, particularly come autumn.

In their own way, many leaves are every bit is stunning as flowers for those who take a moment to examine them closely. Encourage little ones to take the time to ponder the fabulous fine details!

Ash or Elder? Hazel or Lime?

There are a few leaves that may, at first, seem a little tricky to tell apart. Ash leaves, for example, are similar to elder. However, there are significantly more ash leaves on each stem than there are elder leaves. While elder typically has between 5 and 7 ‘compound’ leaves per stem, ash usually has up to 15. Ash leaves also have a subtle sheen, while elder leaves are more matte in comparison.

Another pair that can be easily mistaken for one another are hazel and lime, particularly before the seeds/flowers have appeared. Hazel, however, is very matte in finish, while lime is shinier.

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More Free Stuff!

Today’s leaf reference poster is just one of a series of free activity posters available to children at this website. Why not check out — and download — some of the others for your child today? Others include a Spring Nature Hunt activity poster, an Autumn Nature Hunt poster, a British Land Mammals poster, a Minibeast spotting poster, a Bird-spotting poster, and a Butterfly spotting poster packed with beautiful butterflies. Visit the links and download for free.

More children's activity posters are available free from this website.

Little Acorns: Your Padiham Nursery

A High-Quality Childcare Nursery in Padiham, Lancashire

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is in Padiham, Lancashire, near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham, and Wood End. Ofsted rates Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham, as a Good Provider of childcare in all categories.We hope you and your little one(s) enjoy the leaf nature hunt and that the reference poster is useful. We like to encourage families to enjoy the natural world, as we know how hugely beneficial nature is to children. During their time at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, children also get to enjoy nature in the nursery’s garden. It has its own nature zone where little ones can look for flora and fauna and enjoy outdoor play in a safe and secure environment.

Little Acorns Nursery supports free, funded childcare hours for eligible children aged from 9 months to 4 years. The setting is recognised by Ofsted as a good childcare provider. To explore the opportunity of sending your baby, toddler, or preschooler to Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, get in touch today:

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822

We are a nursery in Padiham (BB12) in Lancashire, providing high-quality weekday childcare to local families in Padiham as well as Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham, and Wood End.

 

Safety Notes

Children, particularly the youngest, should, of course, be accompanied and supervised outdoors by a responsible adult. There are many hazards out there! Adults should therefore be vigilant at all times, do their own risk assessments, and educate children about safety outdoors. A few examples of possible dangers include berries, fungi, nettles, prickly thorns, etc., so teach children not to touch them. Encourage little ones not to collect anything that may be a choking hazard to babies and toddlers (acorns, for example) or that may be poisonous or toxic. Keep children away from physical hazards, including ponds, lakes, steep drops, traffic, roads, strangers, etc. With the right supervision, children will have fun, learn a lot, and stay safe.

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Ofsted: Little Acorns Nursery is a ‘Good Provider’ - it's Official!
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Ofsted: Little Acorns Nursery is a ‘Good Provider’ – It’s Official!

Ofsted: Little Acorns Nursery is a ‘Good Provider’ - it's Official!
Ofsted rates Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham, as a Good Provider.We’re delighted to announce that Ofsted has published a stunning report for Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham. It’s now official that this excellent Padiham childcare setting is a ‘Good Provider’ — in every category! What’s more, the Ofsted inspector published some wonderfully positive comments about the nursery, staff, and quality of care as part of the report. Their findings are a testament to the high quality of the setting, the professionalism of its early years practitioners and leadership, and the positive impact the nursery has on babies and children in its care. Today, we take a deep dive into the details.

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• Overall effectiveness: Good
• The quality of education: Good
• Behaviour and attitudes: Good
• Personal development: Good
• Leadership & management: Good

Little Acorns Nursery Padiham - Ofsted Report May 2025.

A Welcoming, Safe & Secure Environment for Children

In her report, the Ofsted inspector recognised the warm, welcoming, safe and secure nature of the setting and early years practitioners:

“Staff work closely as a team to provide a welcoming environment for the children. They develop strong relationships with children and their families [and] show respect to the children […] This helps children to feel safe and secure.” — Ofsted.

Such a positive environment and approach by staff is clearly being reflected in the children:

“Children develop strong bonds with each other. They show kindness as they say to their friends, ‘Shall I help you?’”— Ofsted.

Independence & Self-Confidence in Little Ones

The inspector also had positive comments about children learning new skills, gaining in confidence, and becoming more independent — important for when they transition to school. Helped by “high aspirations for what children can do,” Ofsted follows up by saying “The expectations are well sequenced throughout the nursery, helping to build on children’s skills over time.”

Ofsted remarked that “From babies upwards, they encourage children to have a go” and, as a result…

“Children demonstrate high levels of confidence and self-esteem.” — Ofsted.

The Nursery’s Approach to the Early Years Curriculum

The Ofsted inspector seemed particularly impressed with the nursery’s approach to the early years curriculum, remarking that:

“Leaders have designed an aspirational curriculum that is implemented in a well-sequenced way throughout the nursery.” — Ofsted.

Targeted staff training, focused on the needs of the children, was also seen to be part of this success, with the Ofsted inspector commenting that it “has positively impacted on the implementation of the curriculum.” Indeed, the success of such an approach was seen to be working well right across the nursery, boosting children’s learning:

“Leaders and staff are aspirational for what all children can achieve, and they support all children to make good progress in their learning.” — Ofsted.

Assessment of children’s progress was also highly praised:

“Leaders have implemented clear assessment procedures to monitor the impact of the curriculum on children’s progress. They respond swiftly when they identify that children may benefit from extra help in their learning.” — Ofsted.

What About Children with SEND?

The approaches outlined above were seen to apply well to children who may need extra support and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities:

“Appropriate referrals are made and additional funding is used to support individual children’s needs.” — Ofsted.

Parents spoken to by the Ofsted Inspector also appreciated the nursery’s approach to extra help for children, including those with SEND:

“Parents who have children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) talk positively about the nursery’s commitment to multi-agency working. These positive links help all children, including children with SEND and those who receive additional funding, make good progress from their starting points.” — Ofsted.

Children’s Communication & Language

Ofsted recognised the nursery’s approach to boosting children’s language and communication skills in their report too. The inspector commented on our staff:

“They place high importance on supporting children’s communication and language skills” … and … “use their interactions to promote and extend children’s language.” — Ofsted.

Children’s Learning Steps

Ofsted’s inspector praised Little Acorns’ staff in their approach to learning steps, commenting:

“Staff have a clear understanding of each child’s next steps in learning. They plan engaging experiences that children enjoy.” — Ofsted.

The inspector went on to say that such activities and experiences help to “build on children’s knowledge” and then gave some examples.

Reading & Writing at Little Acorns

The Ofsted inspector commented favourably about the way in which staff at Little Acorns Nursery support the learning of the skills necessary to read and write. Children are also encouraged to develop a natural and active interest in books and reading. The inspector wrote, “Children are provided with the opportunities to develop the skills they will need for later writing” and “Leaders value the importance of providing lots of opportunities for children to enjoy stories. They provide a wide range of books for children to explore.”

Coordination and dexterity were noted to be an important part of these successes:

“Staff support children’s hand-eye coordination superbly” — Ofsted.

Ofsted recognised that staff “Staff support children’s hand-eye coordination superbly. They have consulted with the local schools and used this to enhance the curriculum to ensure children develop the dexterity needed to support later writing.”

Behaviour & Emotional Regulation at the Nursery

During their visit, Ofsted recognised that children behaved well and that their emotional regulation skills were being nurtured appropriately by the nursery’s practitioners:

“Children behave well. They listen to staff and join in with the daily routines. Staff use opportunities during children’s play to label and encourage children to talk about their feelings.” — Ofsted.

Healthy Lifestyles & Good Choices

The Ofsted inspector noted in her report that:

“Staff introduce opportunities to teach children about healthy lifestyles.” — Ofsted.

She pointed out that “Children benefit from many experiences to play outside in the fresh air and by walking in the community.”

Also, in regard to healthy eating, she remarked: “Staff talk to children at mealtimes about the impact of food on their bodies. Children are beginning to know how to keep their bodies healthy. They talk about the need to keep their bodies hydrated and check that their friends have also had a drink of water.”

Ofsted also recognised that children’s kindness is reflected in their treatment of the environment:

“Children show consideration for the environment as they are encouraged to recycle food after mealtimes.” — Ofsted.

Effective Safeguarding

One of the most important things at any nursery is, of course, to keep children safe and well. Little Acorns Nursery scored well in this regard too, with the Ofsted inspector reporting that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective” and:

“There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children’s interests first.” — Ofsted.

Good Provision

It’s wonderful that Ofsted has recognised the hard work and professionalism at Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham. It’s clear that it’s benefiting children and enabling them to be as school-ready as possible by the time they leave us around the age of five. And, if there are areas we can still improve on, we will implement such measures without delay — all with a view to making children’s experiences at the nursery simply outstanding!

A Nursery Place for Your Child at Little Acorns

High-quality childcare in Padiham — for babies (3m+) and children under 5

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is in Padiham, Lancashire, conveniently near to Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End.Ofsted rates Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham, as a Good Provider of childcare – in all categories.If you like the sound of the Ofsted inspector’s comments and need high-quality weekday childcare in Padiham, Lancashire, get in touch. You can register for a place, request a guided tour with your child, or ask us any questions. We’re here to help and would love to meet you and your child! We also support free, government-funded childcare places for eligible children as young as just 9 months of age.

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822

Little Acorns Nursery is located in Padiham (Lancashire), so is just a stone’s throw away for families living in Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. If you need weekday childcare, come and see us – we’d love to meet you!

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Applications Now Open for ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Scheme — for Children (9m+) of Working Parents

Applications Now Open for ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Scheme — for Children (9m+) of Working Parents

Children of eligible working families will be able to receive 1140 hours of free childcare per year from September 2025.Attention working families: applications are now open for eligible children, aged from only 9 months, to receive 1140 hours of free childcare per year from September 2025. What’s noteworthy is that this will be the first time such young infants and toddlers can access so many free hours. It effectively doubles the number of free childcare hours previously available to those under 2 via the scheme. The new, extended funding is for eligible working families, who now have until the 31st of August to apply if they would like their child(ren) to start in the September 2025 term.

This will be the first time that eligible babies (9m+) and children aged up to 2 will have access to so many free hours!

Read on to learn more about what’s available through this newly extended funding scheme, eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and more.

Don’t Miss the Deadline!

The application deadline for the September 2025 term is the 31st of August.

If this deadline is missed, parents must apply for a later term.*

* Under the rules of the Government funding scheme, terms officially start on the 1st of September, January, and April respectively and applications for each need to be made before the end of the preceding term. Childcare providers cannot provide funded childcare places without a valid childcare code from the outset. It’s therefore advisable to apply in good time and avoid leaving applications to the last minute.

Children who start early years education early are more likely to attend higher education and earn more during adulthood.

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Benefits of the Scheme

This newly-extended scheme will be profoundly beneficial to parents, children, the business world, and the economy.This newly extended scheme will be profoundly beneficial to parents, children, the business world, and the economy. Let’s take a look:

This particular childcare funding scheme is for working parents. If eligible, it may save them as much as £7,500 in annual childcare costs for each eligible child in their household. The extended childcare hours are likely to be welcomed by families, particularly mothers who have recently been on maternity leave and wish to get back into the workplace — or otherwise extend existing working hours. By doing so, they can help increase household income, help businesses grow by filling vacancies, and even boost the U.K. economy as a whole.

Studies show that starting a high-quality childcare nursery or preschool before the age of 2 improves children’s cognitive, language, social and emotional development.

As you can see in some of the quotations above and below, children will benefit hugely if they start at nursery/preschool young; a good early years education has been proven to boost children’s prospects far into the future.

All in all, this newly extended childcare funding will be a win-win for everyone!

Beginning childcare before the age of 3 is proven to boost academic achievement and reduce behavioural problems far into the future.

Learn more about the profound benefits of starting nursery young and a good early years education here.

How Can the ‘30 Hours’ be Taken?

For those eligible, the 1140 hours of free childcare are most commonly taken as 30 hours per week over 38 weeks of the year. That’s usually term-time, i.e. mirroring typical school terms. That said, many nurseries, preschools and childcare providers allow some flexibility. For example, they may allow families to spread the free hours out more thinly each week so that they extend over more weeks of the year, perhaps including school holidays. However, the availability of such options will vary from childcare setting to childcare setting, so check with your specific provider.

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Who is Eligible for ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Funding?

The funded childcare is for children of working parents with earnings within the specific range.The funded childcare is for children of working parents with earnings within the specific range outlined below. Under this scheme, children receiving the free hours from the September 2025 term must be aged no less than 9 months old on 1st September 2025 and free funding for those who remain eligible is available right up until school age.

The key eligibility rules for the extended funding hinge mainly on parents’ household income:

  • The child(ren)’s parent(s) and partner if they have one must earn no more than £100,000 per annum.
  • The minimum they must be working is the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or more. (Since April 2025 that’s equated to about £195 per week for those aged 23 and over, £160 per week for those aged 18 to 20, and £120 per week for those below 18).
  • They must also have an NI number.

With that said, there are other circumstances where families may still be eligible for free childcare funding even if they don’t fit the key criteria outlined above. Examples may include those on maternity, paternity, adoption, or sick leave and foster carers. More detail about eligibility rules for working parents is available here. Those who are not eligible as working parents but are disabled or receive certain Government benefits/assistance may be eligible for free childcare under one or more alternative funding schemes.

How to Quickly & Easily Check Your Eligibility for ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Funding

The fastest and easiest way to check your eligibility for any of the schemes is to visit this page and enter some simple details (you do not need to register to use the interactive funding calculator). Within just a few seconds, you’ll know which childcare funding scheme(s) your child may be eligible for!

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How to Apply for the Funding

If you’d like to proceed, apply on the Government’s official website here. Don’t forget that the application deadline for the September term is the 31st of August immediately preceding it. Good luck!

Possible Caveats

Note that some childcare providers may only have a specific number of funded places available. Note, too, that the funding does not usually cover extras, e.g. nappies, the cost of any outings, food, and extra hours. So, it’s best to contact your chosen provider for clarification on all such details.

Reconfirm Eligibility Quarterly

To continue receiving your funded childcare, you’ll need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months. You should do this via your Government Childcare Account and failure to do so is likely to mean you’ll miss out on continued free childcare for your child — so it’s very important.

Nursery Places at Little Acorns in Padiham, Lancashire

The best start in life for babies and children under 5

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is in Padiham, Lancashire, conveniently near to Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End.Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham is highly-regarded and attracts wonderful feedback, 5-star ratings, and great reviews.As our families regularly confirm, Little Acorns in Padiham is a highly-regarded childcare nursery that attracts wonderful feedback, 5-star ratings and reviews. We strive to help every child flourish, become the best version of themselves, and feel loved and valued. If you’d like to enquire about a possible nursery place for your baby or child under five at this wonderful nursery in Padiham, please get in touch. Families living nearby in locations like Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End may also find Little Acorns Nursery convenient for their childcare requirements. Please choose an option below to begin your child’s exciting journey with Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham:

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822
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Fabulous Reviews & Ratings for Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham
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Fabulous Reviews & Ratings for Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham

Fabulous Reviews & Ratings for Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham

Parent feedback is one of the best ways for parents to gauge the quality of childcare provision when selecting a nursery for their child. Getting the choice right is incredibly important too; after all, it’s a major part of setting up children’s learning and development foundations. With that in mind, have you ever checked out the reviews, ratings and testimonials for Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham? If not, take a look below. We highlight some of the wonderful feedback received from parents of children under our care. It’s full of 5-star ratings and glowing comments and, needless to say, staff at Little Acorns Nursery are delighted! We’d like to thank each and every parent who has left such positive feedback; it’s hugely appreciated. When such positive feedback arrives, it makes our day, so a big ‘thank you’ goes out to all our parent reviewers. Take a look at some of the wonderful things parents past and present have said about Little Acorns Nursery below.

How is Little Acorns Nursery Rated by Parents?

• The nursery scores 5 stars out of 5 on Google.
• It scores 10 out of 10 on DayNurseries.co.uk
• 24 out of 24 ratings are full marks – no exceptions!

Details are correct at the time of publishing (late March 2025).

Below, we highlight just some of the wonderful feedback from parents. Every one of them also scored the nursery 5 stars out of a possible 5, with no exceptions — perfect feedback, in other words. At the end, we include a link where you can read the full versions if you’d like to see significantly greater detail.

“The best nursery around”

“Impressive nursery… Highly recommend”

“Couldn’t recommend this nursery enough.”

“Fantastic nursery.”

“IMPRESSIVE! Wow just where to begin about this amazing nursery.”

“I would not go anywhere else for my childcare! It’s like home from home.”

“I honestly cannot recommend Little Acorns enough. I have used many settings … and Little Acorns is by far the best I have used yet. The manager and all of the team are fantastic. They really do go above and beyond. No issue is too big/small.”

Zoe A.
(via Day Nurseries, 2024)

“From the get-go after looking around several nurseries, I knew this was the one we were going to choose.”

“Having a child with SEN has not fazed this nursery at all. I 100% recommend this nursery to everyone and anyone.”

“We moved our little boy to Little Acorns from another local nursery … We’re so happy we made the move!”

“If I could give 10 stars I would do. My little boy absolutely loves coming to nursery, cannot thank the staff enough.”

“Best nursery in Burnley … The staff go above and beyond with the children … You won’t find a better nursery setting in the area.”

“The nursery has gone through a complete renovation and they have excellent resources/rooms alongside amazing, welcoming and attentive staff.”

“I recommend this nursery from the bottom of my heart. The staff is absolutely amazing, they took the care to another level and I can definitely say I wouldn’t trust anyone else to look after my kids as I trust them! The environment is absolutely wonderful”

Alina G.
(via Day Nurseries, 2024)

“I couldn’t recommend this nursery enough. He’s got such a good relationship with his team leader, it’s lovely to see she goes above and beyond!”

“All the staff are amazing, I never have a worry with how he is as I trust them 100%. If I had another child … I wouldn’t want to place them anywhere else”

“My son absolutely loves it here … I barely get a goodbye from him he’s that excited to be there. He has come on so much … All the staff are absolutely amazing.”

“Little Acorns is a fabulous nursery. My son loves going and has come on leaps and bounds … I’m so happy with the nursery that I’ve booked my daughter in to start.”

“An amazing nursery with all the safety and facilities any mum would want for their child … my child loves going and I love how they have helped him grow with his speech and confidence”

“If you are questioning if this nursery is for you, stop it. It is. Your child will be happy, safe and nurtured here. I quite literally cannot recommend the staff or this nursery highly enough!”

“Absolutely amazing nursery … The staff are all lovely, kind and caring. The manager goes above and beyond for the children … They have all supported his struggles with speech and language and always provide detailed reports of how his day has been.”

Amelia P.
(via Day Nurseries, 2025)

The full versions of the parent reviews can be found on the Day Nurseries website and on our Google profile. Check them out for lots more detail and fabulous feedback for this well-regarded Padiham nursery and preschool.

A Nursery Place for Your Child at Little Acorns, Padiham

Your little one deserves the very best!

As you can see from the wonderful parent feedback, Little Acorns is an outstandingly good nursery. With star ratings and feedback as good as this, it is hard to beat as a childcare service in Padiham, Lancashire. If you’d like to explore the possibility of sending your baby, toddler, or preschooler under five to this wonderful nursery, please get in touch. We’re happy to answer questions, show you and your child around, discuss childcare funding options and more.

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822

Located in Padiham, Lancashire, Little Acorns Nursery may also suit families living in towns and villages nearby including Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End.

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Simple Bird Feeders – A Fun & Worthwhile Activity for Children
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Simple Bird Feeders – A Fun & Worthwhile Activity for Children

Simple Bird Feeders – A Fun & Worthwhile Activity for Children

A fantastic way to encourage children to connect with nature is by making homemade bird feeders.One fantastic way to encourage children to connect with nature from an early age is by making homemade bird feeders. It’s a hugely popular activity amongst children of all ages, so today’s post is all about how to get started with your child. Although bird feeders can be made at any time of the year, the activity is perfectly suited to the winter and early spring. At this time, wild birds like robins, blackbirds, doves, and sparrows are really struggling to find food. And, with World Wildlife Day arriving in the first week of March, it’s very timely. Take a look!

Why Make Bird Feeders with Your Child?

Making bird feeders is a wonderful way to nurture children’s curiosity, creativity, and understanding of the natural world that’s just outside their door. The activity is also a great way to introduce children to the importance of caring for wildlife, which often struggles to survive in the coldest months of the year. As well as helping wild birds survive, making homemade bird feeders will bring delightful birds closer and provide an enjoyable and educational experience for children. Through this hands-on activity, they will soon learn about different types of birds, what they eat, and how we can help them thrive. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to encourage fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and a love of the outdoors.

Easy Bird Feeder Ideas for Children

Our suggestions below will give parents/carers some ideas for the kind of bird feeders children can make. However, they should be undertaken under appropriate adult supervision, paying close attention to safety, well-being, and allergies, etc*. Some of the bird feeder ideas are extremely simple, while others offer greater potential for creativity. Take a look and see what may be suitable for your child.

Pine Cone Bird Feeder

  • What You’ll Need:

    • Making pine cone bird feeders.A large, dry pine cone
    • Some string or garden twine
    • Peanut butter (or suet for a nut-free alternative)
    • Some birdseed
    • A shallow dish or bowl

  • Instructions:

  • A finished pine cone bird feeder.Tie a piece of string securely around the top of the pine cone to create a hanger. Then, let your child spread peanut butter all over the pine cone using a spoon or butter knife. Next, roll the sticky pine cone in a tray of birdseed until it is fully coated. Once completely covered in birdseed, hang it outside on a tree branch or hook and watch as birds come to enjoy their treats!

Monkey Nut Garland Feeder

  • What You’ll Need:

    • Monkey nuts (unroasted peanuts in their outer shells)
    • A darning needle (for adult use only) …
    • Or children can use a spent matchstick to make the holes
    • Strong thread or relatively thin string

  • Instructions:

  • Monkey nut garland bird feeder.Carefully thread the string through the outer shell of the monkey nuts, tying knots if needed to keep them spaced apart. Once you have a long garland, either tie the ends together to form a loop that can be suspended vertically or attach each end to stretch them horizontally between branches of twigs on a tree or bush. Once birds are used to the new addition to the garden, watch as blue tits, great tits and others enjoy cracking open the shells!

Recycled Carton Feeder

  • What You’ll Need:

    • A clean, empty milk or juice carton
    • Scissors (to be used by adults only for the youngest children)
    • Some string or garden twine
    • Some birdseed
    • Markers, stickers, or non-toxic paint for decoration

  • Instructions:

  • Recycled milk carton bird feeder.Cut out one or more large holes on the sides of the carton to create openings (adults should do this part for younger children). Thread can be attached at the top – try trapping it under the lid or get an adult to thread it through a hole. Let your child decorate the feeder with paint, stickers, or non-toxic markers. Fill the carton up to the opening(s) with birdseed and hang it up in your garden or balcony.

Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder

  • What You’ll Need:

    • One variant of a water bottle bird feeder.A clean, empty clear plastic water bottle
    • Scissors or a knife (to be used only by an adult)
    • Some string or garden twine
    • Two wooden spoons or sticks (optional)
    • Some birdseed

  • Instructions:

  • Plastic bottle bird feeder.There are a few options for this type of bird feeder, as indicated in the photo examples. Either way, small feeding holes or ‘hatches’ will need to be cut (by a supervising adult) as openings. Optionally, cut small holes on opposite sides of the bottle and insert wooden spoons or sticks through them to create perches.  Fill the bottle with birdseed and tie a string to hang it outside. Watch as birds land on the perches and enjoy their treats!

Apple Bird Feeder

  • What You’ll Need:

    • An apple
    • Some string …
    • or a garden cane or stake
    • That’s it!

  • Instructions:

  • A super-simple bird feeder made from an apple.Expose some of an apple’s sides by removing some of the skin. Then, either attach string through (or around) the apple and hang it from a branch outside, or push a stick into it (carefully aimed away from you in case it goes right through) and push the other end into the ground. Watch as birds peck away at the tasty treat! Blackbirds, in particular, love apples!

Which Bird Feed is Best?

There is a huge variety of bird food on the market and it can therefore be difficult to know which type to purchase. While there are many ready-made ‘birdseed’ mixes available, we have found that many types of harder seeds within such mixes go to waste as they are not eaten. So, what’s best?

  • A greater spotted woodpecker.Our personal favourite and key recommendation is sunflower hearts. These are the little kernels inside sunflower seeds and the good news is that by buying them as sunflower ‘hearts’, birds don’t need to remove the shells. Robins, blackbirds, doves, dunnocks, bluetits, great tits and pigeons love them! They’re generally inexpensive, in our experience, and are available widely, including in supermarkets.
  • Wild bird ‘suet balls’ are also a huge hit with garden birds, whether put into commercial suet ball ‘cage’ feeders, suspended on s string, or crushed up to put into children’s homemade bird feeders. They’re available widely, including in most supermarkets, and birds love them! However, ensure they are made from proper suet, which should feel rather hard and be crumbly when crushed, not soft and malleable.
  • Bird-safe peanuts (unroasted) are another obvious option and are popular with birds. However, they present a choking hazard, so keep them away from young children and supervise closely if you do use them. Note too that they are a choking hazard for chicks and fledgling birds that are around in Spring and early Summer. So, if you do decide to use peanuts, it’s best to crush or chop them into tiny pieces (Mum or Dad should help with that part) so they’re more easily eaten and the potential choking aspect minimised. Also, inspect peanuts for signs of mould (e.g. dark dots or flour-like dust) before putting them out for birds because mould can make birds ill — or even prove fatal.

As a side note, we think feeding mealworms is a bit mean (to the mealworms), so we don’t recommend that. With so many other foods available, there really is no need for mealworms to have to suffer in our view. Perhaps that’s a potential lesson in empathy and responsibility for children to learn from too.

What Birds Might You Spot?

Download our free poster that identifies 40 different bird species.Once your bird feeder is in place, keep an eye out for common garden birds. Typically, birds that are attracted to bird feeders in gardens include robins, bluetits, sparrows, and dunnocks although it does depend on what food you put out for them. Children are also likely to see larger birds like blackbirds, doves, pigeons, magpies and even crows, as they are likely to scavenge underneath for seeds that have dropped from the feeders. To help children identify which birds visit, ensure you have printed out our free bird-spotting identification sheet for your child. It features 40 British birds that children can try to spot. Children can tick them off, using the included tick boxes, as each one is spotted. It’s a great way to add extra interest and learn to recognise different species.

Final Thoughts

Making bird feeders is a wonderful way to help wildlife while also providing a fun and educational activity for children. It’s a chance to get creative, develop new skills, and foster a love for nature that can last a lifetime. What’s more, spending time in and around nature is incredibly beneficial to children (and adults!). So, why not give this incredibly worthwhile activity a try this weekend and see which birds come to visit? Have fun and happy bird feeding!

Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham

The Natural Choice for Childcare in Padiham, Lancashire

Little Acorns is a first-class nursery in Padiham, Lancashire. Here, children are given a wonderful start in a warm, homely environment with caring staff and a curriculum that brings out the best in them. As well as fabulous indoor facilities, children can enjoy our lovely garden where they can explore the wild zone and get close to nature under the care of our childcare practitioners. It’s a wonderful childcare setting that supports funded childcare through free, government-backed childcare schemes for eligible children as young as just 9 months and right up to children aged 3 and 4. To learn more, arrange a visit with your child, call us, message us, or apply for a place today. We’ll be delighted to meet you!

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822

As a nursery and preschool in Padiham, we may also be a convenient choice for families in Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End.

*Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

  • Always supervise young children when using scissors, peanut butter, or small items that could pose a choking hazard.
  • Make sure bird feeders are securely fastened to prevent them falling and hurting birds or children.
  • Choose bird-friendly ingredients with no added sugar or salt.
  • Wash hands after handling birdseed or peanut butter to maintain hygiene.
  • Be mindful of bird food ingredients if your child has allergies, for example nuts.
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Toothbrushing for Under-5s — Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing!
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Toothbrushing for Under-5s — Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing!

Toothbrushing for Under-5s — Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing!

Children can learn about brushing teeth by following their parents' examples.Today we bring you a guide to toothbrushing for under-fives, inspired by children at Little Acorns Nursery taking part in Lancashire’s Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing campaign. An initiative of Lancashire County Council Public Health, the programme is designed to educate and encourage young children, including toddlers, to brush teeth for 2 minutes twice a day using age-appropriate toothpaste. What’s more, their message is that it’s never too young to begin and can even start before the first tooth has surfaced. At Little Acorns Nursery, the programme is supervised by staff and is intended to take place in tandem with toothbrushing at home — it does not replace it. Nursery staff guide children to establish a positive and proactive routine around toothbrushing, to foster good habits around oral hygiene, and thereby minimise tooth decay and problems associated with it.

“Children who start brushing at a young age tend to have healthier teeth as they get older.”— Lancashire County Council Public Health.

As part of the “Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing” initiative:

  • Children at Little Acorns have each received a free toothbrush (replaced every quarter), a toothbrush holder, toothpaste, a brushing timer set for 2 minutes, and interactive learning resources that will help encourage them to brush regularly and thoroughly;
  • Children’s families have received information leaflets about the campaign along with a reusable toothbrushing chart. If needed, more can be requested from your local Family Hub, Lancashire’s Healthy Young People and Families Service∞ or via a family’s health visitor.
  • Learn more about the Let’s Get Lancashire Brushing initiative here.
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A toothbrushing chart.
Some of the free resources.
Young boy practises brushing giant teeth.
Girl under five practises brushing some giant teeth.

Little Acorns children have loved taking part in this scheme and the good news is that appropriate toothbrushing has already become embedded in their daily routine. This approach is a great way to encourage children to look after their teeth from an early age. That’s something that’s known to keep teeth, gums, and oral health in good order as children get older, thereby reducing the need for fillings and the prospect of losing teeth.

“Taking care of your children’s teeth is essential for them to eat, drink, smile, talk, sing – and even shout, as well as protecting them from tooth decay!”— Michael Green, cabinet member for Health & Wellbeing.

Quick Guide to Brushing Children’s Teeth

Children’s teeth should be brushed twice per day, including once in the evening before bedtime. Brush for 2 minutes each time and, where possible, encourage children to spit out excess toothpaste. This may not be possible, of course, for babies and the youngest children. There is no need to rinse. Some additional guidelines for brushing children’s teeth follow:

Babies

  • The NHS recommends that you start brushing babies’ teeth as soon as one or more teeth have begun to appear.
  • Use an infant’s toothbrush, a “finger brush”, or a piece of clean gauze wrapped around a clean finger.
  • Use just a smear of toothpaste.
  • Use children’s fluoride toothpaste containing a minimum of 1,000 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride, unless a qualified dentist recommends the use of family toothpaste containing 1,350ppm to 1,500ppm of fluoride. (Source: NHS).

Children 3 to 6 Years

  • Brush under adult supervision.
  • Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
  • As with babies, the NHS recommends the use of children’s fluoride toothpaste containing a minimum of 1,000ppm of fluoride, unless a qualified dentist recommends the use of family toothpaste containing 1,350ppm to 1,500ppm of fluoride.
  • Encourage the child to spit out excess foam after brushing.
  • Don’t rinse – the fluoride toothpaste will not work as well.

Children Aged 7 or More

  • Children aged 7 or more should now be able to brush independently. However, they should be monitored to ensure they brush each time for the full 2 minutes.
  • They should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the brush.
  • Children of this age should use a family toothpaste containing 1,350ppm to 1,500ppm of fluoride.
  • The child should spit out excess foam after brushing but, as with younger children, not rinse.

Supervising

Sit your baby or infant on your knee (taller/older children can stand), in front of a mirror so that you can both see the reflection as you brush their teeth.When brushing a baby or infant’s teeth, one of the best approaches is to sit them on your knee (taller/older children can stand), in front of a mirror so that you can both see their reflection. Tilt their head slightly backwards onto your chest and face them away from you towards the mirror. In this way, they can see how you are brushing their teeth and learn from your example. Small circular movements on their teeth and gums are a good way to start when they’re very young. Ensure all areas of their teeth and adjacent gums are brushed. By using the mirror approach, they will see how best to brush teeth and pick up the idea as they grow older. Once they learn to brush teeth independently, however, ensure you continue to supervise them. In this way, you can ensure that they remain thorough and spend a minimum of 2 minutes brushing each time. Guide children’s hands if they need help. An egg timer is useful as a reminder and may also be used to inject a bit of fun into the activity.

Safety tip: Never let children run around when they’re brushing their teeth; it’s dangerous and they could potentially end up hurt.

Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is in Padiham, Lancashire, near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. Please get in touch if you’d like to explore a possible nursery place for your child at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, Lancashire. As well as providing for Padiham families, we’re located conveniently close to those in Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. We provide a first-class early years education and high-quality weekday childcare for families. We also support many of the free childcare schemes funded by the UK Government, making it much more affordable for Lancashire families.

Interested in a nursery place for your child? Choose a button to start your child’s journey at Little Acorns Nursery:

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822
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Free Childcare for Working Families in Padiham (Including for Babies 9m+)
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Free Childcare for Working Families in Padiham (Including for Babies 9m+)

Free Childcare for Working Families in Padiham (Including for Babies 9m+)

Little Acorns Nursery supports the new childcare scheme for eligible children including babies aged just 9 months.Today, we remind Padiham families that Little Acorns Nursery supports the new — free — childcare scheme for eligible children including babies as young as just 9 months of age. Although it’s available only to eligible working families, the bar to entry is fairly low. The childcare funding is therefore attainable for many families. This free childcare is not just limited to babies either and, what’s more, it’s due to become even more generous from September 2025. In our guide below we’ll outline who is eligible, how much childcare funding they can access, how many childcare hours that equates to, and what the eligibility criteria are. If you’re the parent of a baby, toddler, or child up to three years old, this is for you.

Background to the New Childcare Funding

The newly funded places are a real game-changer for working families and stem from Government plans announced back in March 2023’s Spring Budget. The idea was to make it easier for women, in particular, to rejoin the workforce following the birth of a child as well as helping the economy and the child being looked after. As we’ve reported before, beginning early years education early in a child’s life results in many advantages including better outcomes far into the individual’s life.

The funding promised in 2023 has now finally kicked in, having commenced at the start of September this year (2024). The free childcare funding scheme is therefore now active, including for nursery places at Little Acorns in Padiham.

How Much Free Childcare Can Eligible Babies & Children Access?

The scheme provides 570 hours per year (1140 from September 2025) of free childcare to children aged 9 months to 3 years.For those working families who are eligible, the scheme provides 570 hours per year of free childcare to children aged from 9 months to 3 years. This is normally taken as 15 hours per week for 38 weeks, usually aligning with the standard educational term-time weeks for school timetables. That said, it may be possible to stretch the hours over more weeks of the year if your childcare provider is able to accommodate such flexibility.

What’s This About it Being Even More Generous from September 2025?

As we mentioned in our introduction, the free childcare allowance for eligible babies (9m+) and children up to the age of 3 is set to increase next year. From September 2025, the free childcare allowance will double from 570 hours to 1140. Again, that will normally be taken over 38 term-time weeks, equating to 30 hours per week, but childcare settings may be able to stretch the hours in some cases. So, for example, you could utilise fewer hours per week but over more weeks of the year if your childcare provider is able to accommodate it.

Who is Eligible for the Childcare Funding for Children 9m-3y?

There are four main criteria for this specific type of childcare funding.We’ll try to simplify the eligibility criteria for you. Whether it’s for a baby aged 9 months, a toddler of 1 or 2, or a child aged 3 or 4, there are essentially four main criteria for this specific type of childcare funding:

  1. It is intended for children of working families;
  2. Parents (or a parent and their partner) cannot be earning more than £100,000 per annum;
  3. They should expect to earn the National Minimum Wage (or Living Wage) or more for the equivalent of at least 16 hours each, per week, during the next quarter;
  4. They must have a National Insurance number.

The four factors above are a guide to the main criteria. That said, there are several other rules, exceptions or caveats to check for in specific situations. For example, these may affect foster carers, the self-employed, people beginning new jobs, those earning irregular incomes, people on sick leave or annual leave, unemployed people who receive certain benefits, and others. Full details of eligibility requirements for working families can be found here.

What Happens Once Children Reach the Age of Three?

All 3 and 4-year-olds living in England are eligible to receive 570 hours of free childcare per year.Well, it’s good news. It’s already the case that all 3 and 4-year-olds living in England are eligible to receive 570 hours (15 per week) of free childcare anyway. That’s available under what’s known as ‘Universal Entitlement’, a Government childcare funding scheme that’s been around for some time. What’s more, those working families that are eligible for the ‘new’ free childcare for children aged 9 months to 3 years are also likely to be eligible for a top-up of their child’s Universal Entitlement once they reach the ages of 3 and 4. In those cases, they’ll be entitled to 30 hours per week over 38 weeks (or however the 1140 free hours are spread out). That’s because the eligibility criteria are the same (see section above).

Combined, This Represents Free Childcare Hours from 9 Months to School Age for Eligible Children

It all means that eligible children of working families may be able to take free childcare hours right from the age of 9 months until they’re 4, at which age they will usually leave nursery/preschool to begin Primary School. This combination of free childcare schemes, which are open to so many, should really help families financially and career-wise. It should also help the child thrive, have better life outcomes, and benefit the economy as a whole.

Check Your Eligibility & Start Your Application

Simply check how many free childcare hours your child may be eligible for here and then, if eligible, you can begin your application here.

Applications are accepted for babies once they reach the age of 23 weeks (just over 5 months of age). If successful, you’ll receive a code which will be required by your childcare provider. Note that you’ll also need to confirm your eligibility once every quarter in order to continue receiving the free childcare hours.

Free & Fee-Paying Childcare at Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is in Padiham, Lancashire, near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. At Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, we support fee-paying childcare as well as a whole range of government-funded childcare schemes. What’s common to all nursery placements, though, is that children receive love, care and respect in a home-from-home environment that brings out the best in each one of them. We nurture every child so they become the very best version of themselves in readiness for primary school and a successful future.

We are a high-quality nursery and preschool in Padiham, also located conveniently close to families in Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. Get in touch today to request a nursery place for your child, arrange a guided tour, or ask any questions — we’ll be happy to help:

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822
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World's Biggest Garden Wildlife Survey – & Children Can Play Their Part
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World’s Biggest Wildlife Survey – & Children Can Play Their Part

The World's Biggest Garden Wildlife Survey – & Children Can Play Their Part

The Big Garden Birdwatch is organised by the RSPB each year.Children, adults, and whole families are gearing up to take part in the world’s biggest garden wildlife survey in early 2025. Organised by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), the Big Garden Birdwatch requires just one hour of your time during late January 2025. It’s free, hugely worthwhile, and will benefit nature, conservation, and children themselves. So, why not set a date for your diary and take part? Today’s post explains how to enrol, what to do, and how it will benefit all parties involved.

Why The Big Garden Birdwatch is So Important

Song thrushes have declined by 80% since the survey began.The Big Garden Birdwatch is designed to keep tabs on wild bird populations in the UK. It’s a survey that’s been undertaken across the UK every year since 1979 and allows the RSPB and conservationists to monitor whether any bird species are under threat. Sadly, survey findings in recent years have found this to be the case, with overall bird populations having declined by a staggering 38 million in the last 60 years. Song thrushes alone, for example, have declined by 80% and even the UK’s most populous bird species, House Sparrows, have declined by 57% since the survey began.

By continuing with the survey each year, insights will be gained as to whether populations are growing or shrinking over time. Only by watching such trends can conservationists decide what needs to be done to help reverse any decline and help birds thrive once again. Declines in bird populations may even be an indicator of wider problems within nature, for example, because of chemical use in crop farming or even  inappropriate Government environmental policy. So, this is important and every one of us can easily play our part.

More Reasons for Families & Children to Take Part

This activity is a great way to get children outdoors, close to nature, and to introduce them to the concept of nature conservation.The Big Garden Birdwatch is also a great way to get children outdoors, close to nature, and to introduce them to the concept of nature conservation. By taking part, children can contribute to bird conservation as well as directly benefit in a number of ways themselves. For example, they can learn to identify different types of birds, educate themselves about these wild creatures and the natural environment, enjoy the fresh air while escaping from electronic screens, and enjoy all the many benefits that nature holds for children. Nature and the Great Outdoors are hugely beneficial to children, whether physically, spiritually, cognitively, educationally, or simply in terms of improving overall well-being. Nature benefits children in an incredible number of ways — follow the bold link for more details.

How to Enrol in the Big Garden Birdwatch 2025

Once enrolled, you'll then be sent a free guide with visual reference of the birds to look out for during your survey.Enrolling your child or family into 2025’s Big Garden Birdwatch is easy and free. Simply register here and you’ll then be sent a free guide including visual reference of the birds you may see during your survey. Whether you receive a digital guide or a printed one will depend on your preferences selected when signing up. The guide will tell you/your child exactly what to do, but we also give you a brief flavour below.

How to Take Part in the Big Garden Birdwatch Survey

In brief, here’s what you, your child, or your family will need to do sometime during the period starting on Friday the 24th of January 2025 and ending on Sunday the 26th:

  1. Keep a tally of the maximum number of birds of each species that have actually landed at any one time on your survey patch.Decide on a natural spot where you’ll undertake your hour’s birdwatch. Your garden, local park or even a balcony will do fine.
  2. Taking care to stay unseen and unheard by visiting birds, keep a tally of the maximum number of birds of each species that have actually landed at any one time on your survey patch during the hour. Don’t count any that haven’t landed.
  3. Between the 26th of January and no later than the 23rd of February 2025, you can report your findings online at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
    Alternatively, if you are using the physical survey form from the RSPB’s printed guide, post it to FREEPOST RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH to arrive by the 18th of February 2025.

By contributing to this crucial conservation project, children will be doing their bit for our little feathered friends – and the planet. What’s more, it’s great fun!

Learn more about how to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch survey here.

If your children enjoy the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, encourage them to download our free poster that identifies 40 different species.Enjoying Birdwatching?

If you find that your children enjoy the activity, please encourage them to download our own Bird Identifier poster, which features 40 British birds that they can look out for during the year. It’s free and more information about our free bird poster is available here.

Nature & Children Go Hand-in-Hand at Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham

Little Acorns Nursery & Preschool is in Padiham, Lancashire, near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. We love nature at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham! Here, children can play outdoors in our wonderful garden, which features its own wild area, planting area and even a mud kitchen. We know how good nature and the outdoors are for children, particularly in their early years, so actively encourage them to take part and benefit from everything they offer.

To enrol your baby, toddler or preschooler at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, please get in touch using an option below. We look forward to receiving your call, nursery application, message or tour request whenever you’re ready.

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822

We are a high-quality nursery and preschool in Padiham, Lancashire, BB12. As such, we may also suit families who require outstanding childcare services near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. We support various free childcare schemes too, making childcare services more affordable for eligible families.

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Minibeast Spotting for Kids (with Free Poster!)

Minibeast Spotting Activity for Kids (with Free Poster!)

Today’s Minibeast Spotting activity completes a trio of nature-based posts that each include a free poster. Featuring 30 different minibeasts for children to find and identify, it’s designed to encourage children to get outdoors, learn about the different creatures nearby, explore, and benefit from everything that nature has to offer. With previous free posters covering bird spotting and butterfly spotting activities, these nature-themed activities will give children a really good insight into some of the interesting and exciting creatures they can see in their gardens and neighbourhoods if they simply take some time to look.

Children Love Minibeasts!

Children will love spotting minibeasts, discovering different creatures and learning to name each of them. They will soon learn that creatures like ladybirds, hoverflies, caterpillars, butterflies and bees are simply adorable. Children are also likely to be fascinated by creatures like ants, which are incredibly clever and well-organised, and minibeasts like beetles, millipedes and worms. Such creatures are so different to humans and gently observing them can bring real insights to children about our natural world from the viewpoint of different creatures. Indeed, nature is a huge educator and holds immense benefits to children. We’ll write a separate, more detailed, post about those benefits in the future. Suffice it to say, though, that nature-based activities will help children emotionally, spiritually and physically as well as help them learn new facts, information and skills. Without further delay, let’s now take a look at the free poster preview below and learn how to download it for your child.

Minibeast Spotting Poster (Preview):

Preview showing the free minibeasts poster (click to download the high resolution version in Acrobat PDF format)

How to Download the Free Minibeasts Poster

The poster is supplied as a 3MB downloadable file, in PDF format. That means you’ll need Acrobat Reader on your device to view and open it. Most devices will already have that installed but, if not, don’t worry — Acrobat Reader is also available for free, here. To download the poster itself, simply click the preview image above, or download the free poster via this link. Whether left-clicking or right-clicking is best will depend upon your device’s settings so, if in doubt, try either to see which one prompts you to save the file. Once saved, it can be opened, viewed, and printed out from Acrobat Reader. Print at A3 in high quality on your best printer paper for best results, or ‘scale to fit’ to fit your paper if it’s A4. You/your child can also view the poster on screen, for example on a tablet, smartphone or desktop screen, and zoom in for all the lovely detail.

The UK is home to approximately 25,000 different kinds of minibeast! Many are sadly in steep decline1, so it’s important to raise awareness and encourage interest, including in the very young.

1. According to the State of Nature report for 2023, “Invertebrates such as insects, spiders and millipedes have been found, on average, in 13% fewer places now than in 1970.”

Tips for Spotting Minibeasts

Minibeasts can be lurking almost anywhere outdoors, so children can search and find them virtually wherever they live. Below are a few of the most popular places minibeasts are likely to be found:

  • On and around the leaves of plants (after all, those are home to many critters);
  • On and in flowers, because they’re attracted to the nectar, which is a food source for many;
  • Under rocks, stones, flower pots and suchlike, which may be their home (N.B. be gentle when lifting and replacing such things, so the creatures are not hurt);
  • On and in growing fruit and vegetables, which may be a food source for them;
  • Around the base of plants, grass and lawns, where they may be sheltering from predators;
  • On or under soil, which may be their home;
  • On and in rotting logs and fallen branches;
  • And finally — the best place of all for some minibeasts — in compost heaps! They love the rotting organic matter but, again, take care not to hurt them by being gentle and disturbing their habitat as little as possible.

Enjoy, Be Safe & Be Gentle!

Spending time out in nature and searching for its creatures is great fun, but great care needs to be taken:

  • For the sake of child safety and well-being, children should always be accompanied by a supervising adult — particularly for the very young.
  • Adults should also teach children how to be vigilant about the potential dangers and hazards associated with the outdoors.
  • Adults should teach children about gentleness and empathy around other creatures, however small. Minibeasts are fragile and powerless against the comparative might of humans, but each is an individual in their own right. It’s therefore kind to teach children about compassion for other beings and the need to treat them with huge care and empathy.

Why This Activity is More Important Than You Might Think

Lastly, though, have fun and take time to ensure children learn about nature and all its flora and fauna. Nature teaches children so much about the world and indeed, spending time in the natural world also teaches children about themselves and their place in the world. It may even lead to a lifelong passion for nature and an interest in issues like ecology, global warming, restoring habitat loss and protecting creatures in danger of extinction. Don’t forget that our children will one day become the new stewards of our planet. And, when you bear in mind how important pollinators are for food production and how many of them are in steep decline, a deep interest in the natural world has never been more important.

“When the first #StateofNature report was released in 2013, 1 in 10 of our species were threatened with extinction. Today, it is 1 in 6 species. Rapid nature loss is happening NOW, all around us.” (Wildlife Trust)

Children Love Nature at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham!

Little Acorns Nursery & Pre-School is in Padiham, Lancashire, near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End.

Our childcare professionals know just how important nature and outdoor play is to children, so we ensure they have plenty of opportunities to experience both at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham. It’s also why we will ensure we publish articles and guides relating to outdoor play and nature here on the Little Acorns blog. Indeed, it’s a treasure trove of useful information, on a wide variety of topics, for parents of babies, toddlers and under-fives!

If you require the highest quality weekday childcare and an outstanding early years education for your little one, why not consider Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, Lancashire? The setting offers a warm, inviting and nurturing home-from-home for babies, toddlers and preschoolers and really brings out the best in every child. What’s more, we support all the Government’s childcare funding schemes for eligible families. These include, for example, free childcare hours for 2-year-olds and up to 30 free hours per week for 3 and 4-year-olds.

To register your child for a nursery/preschool place, book a guided tour, or find out more, please get in touch using one of the following options:

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822

As well as being located in Padiham, Lancashire (BB12), Little Acorns Nursery may also suit those living or working nearby in Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End.

 

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Bird Spotting Activity for Kids (with Free Poster!)
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Bird Spotting for Kids (with Free Poster!)

Bird Spotting Activity for Kids (with Free Poster!)

This nature-based bird spotting activity for kids comes with a free reference poster for families to download.Today’s bird spotting activity for kids continues our series of nature-themed posts that each come with a free reference poster for families to download. Featuring 40 British birds, the activity and the poster represent a great opportunity to get children of all ages outdoors, closer to nature. As many of us know, nature is hugely beneficial to the health and well-being of little ones as well as fostering a greater respect and understanding of the natural world around us. Such an appreciation is also likely to encourage children to do their bit to help protect the environment as they grow older. Nature-based activities are therefore a win-win for children and the environment.

Did you know? UK bird populations have declined by a staggering 38 million birds during the last 5 decades. Even some of our once-common birds are in steep decline.

Children will naturally be fascinated by our feathered friends. When encouraged, even infants and toddlers will soon start to recognise and be able to name the different varieties of wild birds that they see. Robins, blackbirds, blue tits and wrens are always likely to be firm favourites and, with the help of the reference poster, children may soon also be able to identify additional species. We suggest printing the poster out at full size (A3), if possible, using high-quality settings and paper. Reducing to A4 is also possible on desktop printers that only print to that size. Either way, the posters can be displayed permanently on nursery or bedroom walls, or used as handheld reference when children are out and about. Tick boxes have been included alongside each bird, to allow children to mark which birds they have seen. The posters can also, of course, be viewed in glorious high resolution and fine detail on screen, for example on handheld tablets.

The poster is free and no sign-up of any kind is required. Here’s how it looks:

Bird Poster Preview

Preview of the A3 British Birds poster for families to download and print out (click to download or see instructions below).

Download Instructions

Click the preview image, or this link, to download or view the poster, which is in PDF format (grab Acrobat Reader free here if you don’t already have it on your device). Please note that your individual browser settings will govern whether a left-click or a right-click either opens or saves the file. Try either to see which best suits your particular set-up.

Bird-Spotting Recommendations

Once children have their print-outs at the ready and are primed to go bird spotting*, there are a number of things that can help with their success:

  • Birds will naturally gravitate towards sources of food. So, think about where they might find seeds and insects. For example, try looking around flower meadows, woodlands, lush hedgerows and parks or countryside featuring a variety of different natural environments.
  • Failing that, put out some food for them — this is possible even if you don’t have a garden, as bird feeders can be attached to windows or suspended from walls and eaves. Many birds will like commercially available bird seed. Our best successes have been with ‘sunflower hearts’ and ‘peanut cake.’ Seed balls are also popular. Supermarkets, garden outlets and online stores usually sell such things fairly inexpensively. Side note: grated Cheddar cheese is also very popular. However, don’t feed birds too much of that and ensure never to give birds cheese that has mould, as it will be harmful to them.
  • Timing is important too, because different birds are around at different times of the year. So, undertaking the activity periodically throughout the year may help to tick off some of those boxes on your poster!
  • Teach children to be patient, observant and logical. Patience, perseverance, and critical thinking are all important skills for children to master, and this type of activity can help them to improve such skills.
  • Teach children to keep noise levels very low. For thousands of years, humans have been seen by most wild animals as predators, so children need to learn to stay quiet and even tread quietly through woods etc. when on the lookout for any kind of wildlife. This can, however, make the activity even more exciting!
  • Teach children stealth and the use of observation and auditory skills. Doing so will not only help them to see/hear more birds, but will also encourage them to hone motor, balance, coordination and sensory skills.
  • Binoculars and monoculars may be useful tools for children to use to see birds further away or in close-up view. However, ensure they understand that they must never point them in the direction of the sun or towards other bright objects. Hence, we suggest they are only used by children under close supervision.

Have Fun Bird Spotting!

We hope you and your little one(s) have fun with this activity and find the free poster useful. We’ll gradually publish more nature-themed posters as time goes by, so watch this space for more free stuff! Nature-based and outdoor activities are great for children, teaching them so much about the world around them and their place within it. Such activities will help them develop new skills and gain new knowledge, all pretty much free of charge too! This type of activity may also instil in them a love of the outdoors, exploration and the natural world along with the flora and fauna in it. What’s more, children who spend significant time around nature often grow up to have a lifelong love of the Great Outdoors, a greater empathy towards other creatures and high levels of environmental consciousness. With all the problems the human race has made for the planet, that can only be a good thing.

Your High-Quality Nursery & Preschool in Padiham

Little Acorns Nursery & Pre-School is in Padiham, Lancashire, near Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End.

Children love our nature-based activities at Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham too, as we know how beneficial nature and outdoor play is to little ones. It’s one of the reasons we’ll be publishing more nature activity ideas for children to take part in over the coming months. So, watch this space and come back to visit our blog area regularly to get more ideas for kids’ activities along with lots of useful facts, information and news relating to early years education, learning, development and childcare.

Do you need a high-quality weekday childcare service for your baby, toddler or preschooler in the Padiham/Lancashire area? If so, do consider Little Acorns in Padiham as we’re simply one of the best nurseries and preschools around and give children a wonderful start in life. We also support Government schemes like free childcare hours for 2-year-olds and up to 30 free hours per week for 3 and 4-year-olds — plus many more.

Get in touch to register your child for a nursery or preschool place, request a tour of the setting with your child, or simply ask any questions. We’re here to help! Please choose an option below:

Apply for a Place Book a Tour Message Us 01282 680 822

Little Acorns Nursery is located in Padiham, Lancashire (BB12) but is also close to Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. So, we may suit families who require high-quality weekday childcare in any of those towns and villages.

* It goes without saying that children, particularly the very young, should always be supervised appropriately by a responsible adult.

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