How nursery environments can support children’s emotional wellbeing

A nursery environment can have a big influence on how children feel throughout the day. The spaces around them play a big part in helping children feel secure. It gives them opportunities to explore at their own pace whilst providing somewhere for them to pause if the wider room feels busy.

At Fennies, we think carefully about how our spaces can support children’s emotional wellbeing alongside their learning and development. Our thoughtfully designed environments have sensory spaces and cosy reading nooks within them, along with calm corners being introduced across our newer nurseries and eventually across the Fennies network. We ensure every aspect of our rooms has a purpose, with that being to provide more enriching and meaningful experiences for the children to prepare them for later life.

How do Fennies create spaces that support emotional wellbeing?

At Fennies, our environments are thoughtfully designed to support how children feel, play and learn throughout the day. Some of these environments have particularly been introduced in some the newest nurseries in the Fennies Family, with the goal to introduce it across all sides in the future.

Sensory spaces

Our sensory spaces give children opportunities to explore at their own pace, using different textures, sounds and experiences in a focused environment.

Reading nooks

A cosy reading nook can offer a quieter moment within the wider nursery. Children can enjoy a favourite book, spend time with their key person or simply have a little time away from a busy room.

Calm corners

We are introducing calm corners into our newer nursery settings, creating a safe space where children can take a moment with a trusted adult when they need some extra support.

FlexiDens

Our newer settings are also introducing FlexiDens from Community Playthings. FlexiDens allow an adult to sit alongside a child and provide that space to co-regulate with the child to further support them in understanding their emotions.

These spaces are designed to help children feel supported without feeling separated from the wider nursery environment.

What does our Education Team say?

For children in the Early Years, having a supportive environment is only part of the picture. Trusted adults play an important role in helping children understand and work through their emotions.

“Children cannot always regulate their emotions independently at this age. Co-regulation means being there with them and supporting them through the feeling.” says Paula Alvarez Rodriguez, Regional SENDCO and Inclusion Manager at Fennies

This is why our calm spaces are designed to be used alongside responsive support from our educators. A child can take a moment away from the wider group while their key person stays close, offering reassurance and helping them understand what they are feeling.

5 activities to support your child's emotional wellbeing at home

You don't need to create a dedicated calm corner at home to support your child's emotional wellbeing. Small changes to their surroundings can give them somewhere to pause, explore and spend time with you.

1. Create a cosy reading space

You’ll need: A few favourite books and a comfortable space.

Choose a quiet corner where your child can look at books with you. Talk about how the characters might be feeling and what they could do if they felt the same way.

2. Make a sensory basket

You’ll need: A small basket and safe objects with different textures.

Let your child explore each object at their own pace. Ask, “Which one feels soft?” or “Which one do you like touching?”

3. Make your own calm corner

You’ll need: A cushion, a favourite book and a few comforting objects.

Choose a quiet space together and explain that they can use it when they need some time with you. Stay nearby and talk about how they are feeling.

4. Try finger breathing

You’ll need: Just your hands.

Hold up one hand and slowly breathe in and out across each finger from one to five. Practice this when your child is calm so they become familiar with it.

5. Explore emotions together

You’ll need: A picture of someone showing an emotion.

Look at the picture together and ask, “How do you think they are feeling?” and “What could help them?” This gives your child an opportunity to talk about emotions without putting them on the spot.

See our environments in action

Our thoughtfully designed environments are brought to life through the everyday experiences children have at Fennies.

From exploring sensory spaces to sharing a quiet story with their key person, these spaces give children opportunities to learn, explore and take a moment when they need it.

Take a look at some of our environments here!