Under threes
Articles and resources on caring for children from birth to threes.
child playingBirth to three matters - environment and interaction is key
Think carefully how to organise your spaces and create the ‘Birth to Three Matters’ environment.  You need to feel confident that when Ofsted inspectors call they will be aware of your commitment to the framework in the way you take into consideration what it feels like to be a child in your care. 
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wallCircle time activities: Songs, rhymes and singing games for under-3s
Helen Huleatt
Learn how singing, finger games and rhymes will make your circle time fun for young children.
carer and childThe dual challenge: Meeting the needs of parents and babies
Karen Miller
Experienced caregivers who work with infants or toddlers often list their relationships with the parents of those babies as both the most difficult and the most rewarding aspect of their work. It is in this relationship that the caregiver can most clearly see the impact of their work on society.
enjoyable playEnjoyable play from the first months
Jennie Lindon
Babies and very young children love to play, and some bought play resources can be very useful. However, many suitable play items are safe, ordinary items and not commercially produced toys.
heuristic playHeuristic play
Helen Huleatt
Heuristic play is rooted in young children’s natural curiosity. As babies grow, they move beyond being content to simply feel and ponder objects, to wanting to find out what can be done with them.
heuristic playTreasure baskets
Helen Huleatt
Anyone who cares for babies knows they learn by actively doing, engaging life with all their senses and limbs. As well as providing space for them to develop their motor abilities, we need to nurture their curiosity
Educational booklets
Creating places
Room layout for birth to threes

pdfDownload 1.6 MB PDF
Activities
Tommy Tittlemouse Little tommy tittlemouse
Players stand in a circle. One child is chosen to be Little Tommy Tittlemouse and he or she crouches in the middle, with hands over eyes. The others join hands and walk around in a circle, chanting or singing the rhyme below.
Open them, shut them Open them, shut them
Here are two finger play games for babies to three year olds. They will quickly learn the tune and actions.