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Ducklings Preschool and Nursery is a family-owned & run childcare, providing outstanding services in Milton Keynes and Manchester for 20 years'. Aged 0-5 Years welcome, 30 hours Government funded sessions - childcare tax free. Book a visit today easily online. Central Milton Keynes Oldbrook , Bow Brickhill , Emerson Valley , Monkston Park , Monkston St Barts , Monkston , Shenley Brook End , Tattenhoe Park , Westcroft , Furzton , Blackley Middleton Manchester Childcare preschool nursery Welcome to Ducklings Preschool and Nursery - MK Inspiring School Award Winner - Founded in 2000, Ducklings Preschool is extremely proud to operate across Milton Keynes and Manchester. We strive to create an outstanding, loving, caring atmosphere in a safe and friendly environment. If you're looking for a space at one of our settings, please call us at 07476 079904 or contact us here. Limited spaces are available, so contact us today! Book a visit here Our Locations Staff Resources Class Dojo Login Our Term Dates Our Pricing & Funding Guide Parent Resources Contact Us Here Free Learning at Home Hub What Our Parents Think I couldn't have chosen a better Preschool for our children. The staff are very warm and caring , there's plenty of play, creative activity and encouragement and my children have loved every minute Melissa Congratulations to Jhelisa for passing her level 2 in SEND! What Our Staff Think With Bekki's support I am learning on the job and this (SEND Level 3) course has given me confidence in my practice. Thank you John,Debbie,Bekki. When opportunities are provided internally it make you push yourself and achieve your goals . Thank you all. Shivani Request further information today! Do you wish to learn a little more about Ducklings? Fill in your details below, OR give us a call - we're here to help! Contact Form I agree to the terms & conditions Submit Your form was submitted correctly, Thank you. We'll be in touch shortly Ducklings Head Office General Enquiries 07476 079904 ducklingsmarketing@gmail.com Admissions Enquiries 07828 807290 ducklingspreschool@hotmail.com

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Helpful tips, routines, and advice to make home learning simple, fun, and stress-free for parents of preschoolers. Parent & Carer Support Our related blog articles on Parent & Carer Support can be read by clicking on the titles below; Toilet Training Information Toilet Training Sticker/Stamp Printable Guide How to Potty Train Your Child, from Start to Finish Safer Sleep Poster Teach your Toddler How to Sleep Alone in their Bed Bedwetting in Children - Reasons and how to prevent it Teeth Brushing Help and Free Resources Car Safety for Preschoolers: An in-depth Guide Healthy Lunchbox Recipes Healthy Bites: Nutrition Tips for Preschool Snack Time Child Food Safety Limiting Screen Time: Promoting Healthy Tech Use in Kids Internet Safety for Children Unique Healthy Recipes for Preschoolers to Try! Changing Your Child's Fussy Eating Habits Picky Eater Solutions: Healthy Toddler Meal Ideas Bedtime Stories are a must-have night routine. Here's why! How to Help Your Child Prepare for a New Sibling Speaking 'Baby Talk' to infants isn't just cute; it could help them learn! Labour Hospital Bag Checklist Breastfeeding Positions Cost of Living Support Cost of Living Crisis: Fun things to do - that don't cost the Earth! Ducklings Mental Health Awareness Campaign Strategies for Balancing Work and Parenting Parental Anxiety, what is it? Strategies for Balancing Work and Parenting Managing Toddler Tantrums: Strategies for Calm and Connection Sending My First Child to Preschool for the First Time: A Parent's Guide Help! Does My Child Have Anxiety? Navigating Mental Struggles: What parents should do if they Feel Suicidal Taking a Well-Deserved Mental Health Break as a Parent Guiding the Grief: Suicide Bereavement Support Training for Early Years Best Start in Life: GOV.UK The UK Government have a fantastic online database, called Best Start in Life. This online database helps parents from pregnancy to childcare right through to starting school. You can get advice and support for your child's development here. They offer a search bar, so you can check for family support in your local area, to you can find and access maternity and family support services and resources. C lick here to access the website directly. Confidential Family Support & Bullying Helpline: Family Lives Family Lives offers a confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales. They offer emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. All calls, emails and chats are confidential - and they will only break confidentiality if there is a life-threatening situation, or a child or adult is felt to be at risk of significant harm. For more information, click here. Call Family Lives for free on 0808 800 2222. Parents Helpline: Mental Health: Youngminds YOUNGMINDS offer tailored information, advice and support to parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person's mental health. You can speak via phone, or chat to them online. It's free and confidential, and available across the entire UK. Click here to access their website directly. Call their Parents Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544 Single Parent Support : Gingerbread Gingerbread is a charity that supports single parents, fighting to create a world where all single parents and their children thrive. They provide advice on benefits, bereavement, childcare, child maintenance, cost of living, disability, domestic abuse, housing, legal help, LGBTQ+ single parenting, new relationships, parental responsibility, separation, and so much more. They offer support through local groups, an online community and expert advice via their website. Click here to find out more information. Early Years whole-family support : Action for Children Action for Children understands that every parent needs a little help from time to time. They're on hand, in communities and online. They offer parenting programmes, designed to help parents and children bond, learn, and overcome difficulties. If you need some down-to-earth parenting advice you can trust, use their Parent Talk programme; it's all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarassing. Click here for more information regarding their support and parenting programmes. Visit their website to use their live webchat, or to leave a message via Whatsapp. Early Words Matter for families: National Literacy Trust If you are concerned about your child's reading and communication skills, the National Literacy Trust has some fantastic free resources. Parents play a vital role in supporting their children's literacy at home, and with 185,000 5 year olds starting school without the literacy, communication, and language skills needed to thrive in 2023, the National Literacy Trust are dedicated to changing this for the better. Click here for more information regarding their FREE Little Moments Together Cards. Call their Helpline at 020 7587 1842 Early Years Resources to use : NSPCC Learning: A set of resources to help parents interact with their child, boosting child development and setting up positive behaviour as their child grows. Handling Babies with Care: NSPCC Learning Advice on positive ways to hold and care for your baby, and reduce the dangers of rough handling. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect in preschool children : NSPCC Learning Advice on positive ways to hold and care for your baby, and reduce the dangers of rough handling. Talk PANTS: NSPCC Learning Activities and resources to teach children aged 3 to 5 the underwear rule, to help keep them safe from abuse.

Packing a preschool lunchbox can feel like a daily challenge. You want to provide meals that are nutritious, appealing, and easy for little hands to manage. At the same time, you want to avoid foods that might cause allergies, spoil quickly, or offer little nutritional value. This guide will help you create healthy preschool lunchboxes by focusing on what to include and what to avoid, making mealtime both fun and nourishing for your child. Please note that at all Ducklings Locations, we are a NUT and APPLE-free preschool! What Makes a Preschool Lunchbox Healthy? A healthy preschool lunchbox balances nutrients, flavours, and textures. Young children need a mix of carbohydrates for energy, protein for growth, healthy fats for brain development, and plenty of vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. Portion sizes should be appropriate for small appetites, and foods should be easy to eat without much mess. Key Components to Include Fruits and Vegetables Fresh fruits like banana slices, berries, or grapes (cut length ways) provide natural sweetness and fibre. Vegetables such as carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or cherry tomatoes add crunch and important vitamins. Whole Grains Choose whole-grain bread, crackers, or wraps instead of refined grains. Whole grains offer more fibre and nutrients, helping children feel fuller longer. Protein Sources Include lean proteins like turkey slices, chicken, cheese, meatballs and hummus. These support muscle growth and keep energy steady throughout the day. Healthy Fats Avocado slices, boiled egg, Salmon and olive oil add healthy fats that support brain development. Dairy or Dairy Alternatives Yogurt or cheese provides calcium and vitamin D, essential for growing bones. Examples of Healthy Lunchbox Combinations We've spent the previous week taking photos of multiple lunchboxes that our preschoolers have brought to Ducklings with them for lunch! Some potential lunchbox ideas you can make for your preschooler are; Pitta Bread with cheddar cheese, blueberries, cucumbers and carrots. Cookie-cutter star-shaped turkey sandwiches, with a cucumber and carrot salad. Whole-grain wrap with turkey, avocado, and spinach, served with carrot sticks and cubed cheddar cheese. Cheese cubes, whole grain crackers, sliced cherry tomatoes, and a small container of hummus. Hard-boiled egg, cucumber slices, whole grain pita bread, and a handful of blueberries. Sliced omelette with ham and cheese, strawberries, grapes and pear slices. Grilled chicken slices with cooked broccoli and rice. We understand that some children are picky eaters and will refuse to eat vegetables! Click here to read our blog article on easy ways to sneak in vegetables in your childs meals. We also have more free resources for you to use, so you can promote cooking and food fun with your preschool whilst at home! From free printable flashcards, to recipes, to food sensory activities and more. To see these, just click here: www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk/cooking Tips for Packing a Preschool Lunchbox Use Colourful Containers    Bright, fun containers can make lunchtime more exciting and encourage kids to eat their food. Include a Variety of Textures    Mix crunchy, soft, and creamy foods to keep the meal interesting. Keep Portions Small    Preschoolers have small stomachs. Offer bite-sized pieces and avoid overwhelming amounts. Label Allergens Clearly    If your child’s school has allergy policies, label foods clearly and avoid cross-contamination. Involve Your Child    Letting children help choose or prepare their lunch can increase their interest in eating it. Hydration Matters Too   Water is the best drink for preschoolers. Avoid sugary juices and sodas. If your child prefers flavoured drinks, try infusing water with slices of fruit, such as lemon, orange or cucumber. At Ducklings, we will always have fresh water and milk available too! Foods to Skip Certain foods can cause problems for preschoolers, either because they pose choking hazards, spoil quickly, or offer little nutritional benefit. Avoiding these will keep your child safe and healthy. Foods to skip include; Choking Hazards Whole grapes, apples, popcorn, nuts, and hard candies can cause choking. Cut grapes and cherry tomatoes into smaller pieces, to learn more about food safety tips for children, please click here. Sugary Snacks and Drinks Candy, cookies, sugary drinks, and fruit snacks add empty calories and can lead to energy crashes. Instead, offer naturally sweet fruits or even small portions of homemade treats with less sugar. Highly Processed Foods Avoid lunch meats with high sodium, packaged snacks with artificial additives, and fried foods. These can affect energy levels and overall health. Perishable Foods Without Proper Storage Avoid items that spoil quickly if you cannot keep them cold, such as mayonnaise-based salads or dairy products without refrigeration.

Early years educators and caregivers play a vital role in shaping young lives. Yet, the demands of their work can take a toll on their mental health. ' Working in Early Years is a challenging career, not just physically, it's emotionally and mentally tiring too' - www.thecuriosityapproach.com Creating a mentally healthy workplace is essential not only for their well-being but also for the quality of care and education they provide. This post explores practical ways to build a supportive environment that nurtures mental health in early years settings. Understanding the Mental Health Challenges in Early Years Settings Working with young children involves emotional, physical, and mental effort. Educators often face high workloads, tight schedules, and the pressure to meet developmental milestones for each child. These factors can lead to stress, burnout, and feelings of isolation. Common challenges include: Managing challenging behaviours from children while maintaining patience and calm Balancing administrative tasks with hands-on caregiving Coping with limited resources and staffing shortages Navigating relationships with parents and colleagues Recognising these challenges is the first step toward creating a workplace that supports mental health. Building a Culture of Open Communication A workplace where staff feel safe to express their feelings and concerns reduces stress and builds trust. Leaders can encourage open communication by: Holding regular team meetings focused on well-being Creating anonymous feedback channels (For example, Ducklings offers an anonymous form on our website for both staff and parents to use) Training managers to listen actively and respond empathetically When educators know their voices matter, they feel valued and supported. Providing Access to Mental Health Resources Access to mental health support can make a significant difference. Early years settings can offer: Employee assistance programs with counselling services (At Ducklings, we provide an external, fully confidential and free to employees counselling service, so our team members can talk privately and get the appropriate support confidentially, should they ever not feel comfortable talking to management. This can be found by clicking here . Workshops and/or resources on stress management and resilience Information about local mental health services Making these resources visible and easy to access encourages staff to seek help when needed. Fundraising to Promote a Cause It may be beneficial for your Early Years workplace to fundraise for a mental health charity too. Here at Ducklings, we fundraised for the charity Mind, because it not only raised vital awareness and support for an important cause, but it also fostered a sense of community, empathy, and shared purpose among employees, promoting a healthier, more compassionate workplace culture. Creating Supportive Peer Networks Peer support offers emotional relief and practical advice. Early years settings can foster connections by: Organising peer mentoring programs Scheduling informal social gatherings Have a social community to discuss and communicate with others (At Ducklings, we utilise website chats and WhatsApp groups, to promote a supportive network for our practitioners to share ideas, ask questions, and celebrate achievements together). Encouraging teamwork and collaboration on projects These networks reduce feelings of isolation and build a sense of community. Designing Physical Spaces That Promote Well-being The physical environment impacts mental health. Spaces that feel safe, calm, and inviting help reduce stress. Consider: Providing quiet areas for staff breaks Using natural light and calming colours Ensuring comfortable seating and access to fresh air Thoughtful design supports relaxation and recharging during busy days. The Curiostiy Approach published a fantastic piece on this; We all have a duty of care to raise mental health awareness and create safe, happy places and spaces to work! Together we can do more. Here are 7 things you can do to reduce the stigma of mental health, according to CAMH ( https://www.camh.ca/en/driving-change/addressing-stigma ) Know the facts. Educate yourself about mental illness, including substance use disorders. Be aware of your attitudes and behaviour. Examine your own judgmental thinking, reinforced by upbringing and society. Choose your words carefully. The way we speak can affect the attitudes of others. Educate others. Pass on facts and positive attitudes; challenge myths and stereotypes. Focus on the positive. Mental illness, including addictions, is only part of anyone's larger picture. Support people. Treat everyone with dignity and respect; offer support and encouragement. Include everyone. It's against the law to deny jobs or services to anyone with these health issues. Offering Professional Development Focused on Mental Health Training that addresses mental health equips educators with tools to manage stress and support children’s well-being. Topics might include: Recognising signs of stress and burnout Mindfulness and relaxation techniques Strategies for managing challenging behaviours At Ducklings, we have a ton of resources on our website, specifically focused on Mental Health, for our team to share with parents and/or carers. These can be found by clicking here. Investing in professional growth signals that mental health is a priority. Recognising and Celebrating Staff Contributions Feeling appreciated boosts morale and motivation. Simple actions can have a big impact: Regularly acknowledging achievements in meetings or newsletters Celebrating milestones like work anniversaries Offering small tokens of appreciation. Recognition helps staff feel seen and valued for their hard work. Leadership’s Role in Mental Health Leaders set the tone for workplace culture. They can model healthy behaviours by: Prioritising their own well-being Being transparent about challenges and solutions Encouraging a no-blame approach to mistakes Strong leadership creates a foundation where mental health can thrive. Supporting Mental Health During Crises Unexpected events, such as sudden illness, a change in living circumstances or personal loss, can increase stress. Early years settings should have plans to: Provide timely communication and updates Offer additional mental health support Allow flexible responses to individual needs Being prepared helps staff feel secure and cared for during difficult times.

At Ducklings Preschool, we believe every child is a little scientist — naturally curious, full of questions, and eager to explore how the world works.This week’s hands-on investigation invites your child to become a Water Explorer  with our Sink or Float Experiment  — a fun and easy way to introduce early science, STEM, and critical thinking through play. And the best part? We’ve created a free printable Sink or Float activity sheet  that families can download, print, and try at home — no membership required! 💧 What You’ll Need All you need are some everyday household items, a bowl or tub of water and a towel (for spills). Our free downloadable sheet includes pictures and tick boxes for the following objects: ✏️ Pencil 🧷 Paper clip 🗒️ Notecard ☁️ Marshmallow 🚗 Toy car 💰 Coin 🪵 Cork 🖍️ Crayon 🍃 Leaf Click here to download and print off our Sink or Float Predictions Checklist 🧠 How to Do the Experiment Predict:  Look at each item together and ask, “Do you think it will sink or float?” Test:  Drop one object at a time into the water. Observe:  Watch closely — does it sink to the bottom or float on top? Record:  Use the sheet to tick or colour in each object’s result. Discuss:  Ask, “What do you notice?”  and “Why do you think that happened?” There’s no rush — repeat, mix it up, or swap in new objects as your child gets the hang of it. Focus on step 5, discuss. This step is where this activity is more valuable! Although it might look like a simple game, the Sink or Float  activity supports several key areas of development for children aged 2–5 years: Scientific Thinking Children observe, predict, test, and reflect — just like real scientists! They begin to understand cause and effect and notice patterns (heavy things often sink, light things float). Language & Communication As they describe what they see — “It went to the bottom!”  or “It’s floating!”  — they expand vocabulary and learn to express ideas clearly. Maths Concepts Through comparison (heavy/light, long/short, big/small), children begin to explore measurement and categorisation in a concrete, playful way. Fine Motor Skills & Coordination Placing objects gently into water and handling tools like spoons or droppers helps strengthen hand-eye coordination and control. Curiosity & Confidence Children love discovering that their guesses might be right (or wrong!) — this builds confidence to ask questions and test ideas again.