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
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 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 |
2 - 3 years
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 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 |
3 - 5 years
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 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 |