Mealtimes at Early Years

Caption: Mealtimes at Early Years

Naptime

Caption: Naptime

Our routine display board

Caption: Our routine display board helps the children understand their day and what to expect while they are with us

Our 3 to 5 years olds are used to brushing their teeth after lunch as part of their daily routine

Caption: Our 3 to 5 years olds are used to brushing their teeth after lunch as part of their daily routine

We've put together example daily schedules for each age group here at Early Years from arrival in the morning and including typical activities, meal times and naps. 

Typical day

6 months - 2 years

A typical day
TimeActivity
 08.45 Arrival and welcome
 08.45 Play and exploration of different toys and resources set up around the room 
 09.15 Snack time
 09.40 Adult-led group activity to support development such as messy or sensory play
 10.30 Potty training and nappy changing
 10.45 Outdoor play
 11.25 Circle time activities such as singing, stories and games 
 11.45 Lunch
 12.30 Sleep time
 14.00  Drinks 
 14.30 Potty training and nappy changing
 14.45 Interest based activites for children to join in
 15.30 Tea time
 16.10 Large toy playtime
 17.15 Home time
A typical day in the baby room

2 - 3 years

A typical day
TimeActivity
 08.45 Arrival and welcome
 08.45 Free play including using large apparatus, puppets, small world play and other activities  
 09.30 Snack time
 09.50 Structured/adult-led group activity to support development such as messy or sensory play
 10.30 Tidy-up showing care and conern for their environment. Potty training and nappy changing
 10.50 Outdoor play often with large garden equipment 
 11.15 Story time and circle time 
 11.45 Lunch
 12.15 Sleep time
 13.00  Older children who may not need a sleep remain with staff who will organise and set out toys for free play  
 14.30 Potty training and nappy changing
 14.50 Garden play 
 15.45 Tea time
 16.15 Free play - this could include home corner, drawing tables, construction and puzzles
 17.15 Home time
A typical day in the baby room

3 - 5 years

A typical day
TimeActivity
 08.45 Arrival and welcome
 09.15 Snack time 
 09.30 Creative and planned activities where children can choose from the different areas of learning - construction, imaginary, small world, mathematics, literacy small group work or key person with their key children
 10.30 Tidying up the morning's activities
 10.45 Helpers chosen to set up tables for lunch 
 10.50 Outdoor play with choice of structured activities, free play or group games such as hide and seek
 11.30 Circle time - discussions, show and tell, letter of the week, newsround, children evaluate their work 
 11.45 Lunch
 12.30 Brushing teeth and helpers choose afternoon activities
 13.00  Post-lunch quiet time - children relax, sitting or lying down quietly perhaps with a book  
 13.20 Play time with toys
 14.30 Story time - stories are chosen by children and are based around current experiences or areas of exploration  
 14.45 Outdoor play 
 15.30

Singing, music and movement, learning poems

15.45 Tea time
16.20 Table top activities and puzzles
16.55 Tidying up followed by ring games, singing, movement and music
17.15 Home time
A typical day in the baby room