Our guides
Advice and ideas from our team
Child Development
Why Mixed-Age Learning Helps Your Child Thrive
When children learn alongside peers of different ages, they develop confidence, empathy and social skills in ways that age-grouped settings simply can't replicate. Discover why mixed-age learning is so powerful.
11 May 2026
Child Development
Building Friendships: How We Support Social Skills at Nursery
Social skills are the foundation for happy, confident children. We explore how nurseries support friendship-building and emotional development in the early years.
5 May 2026
Choosing a Nursery
How to choose a nursery in Balham: what actually matters
Choosing the right nursery in Balham is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a parent. This practical guide walks you through exactly what to look for, from staff qualifications to outdoor space, so you can feel confident in your choice.
14 April 2026
Why Choose Us
What Makes Little Starlings Nursery in Balham Different?
Wondering if Little Starlings is the right nursery for your child? Here's an honest look at what we offer, from dedicated key persons to flexible sessions and a calm, mixed-age environment in the heart of Balham.
9 April 2026
Child Development
Why Mixed-Age Groups Help Your Child Flourish
Mixed-age learning creates a natural, supportive environment where children develop at their own pace. We explore why this approach benefits your child's social, emotional and cognitive development.
31 March 2026
Child Development
Why We Love Messy Play (And Why Your Child Does Too)
Messy play might look chaotic, but it's one of the most important ways children learn and grow. Discover why we embrace the paint, mud, and flour at Little Starlings - and how it benefits your child's development.
25 March 2026
Settling In
Morning Routines That Make Nursery Drop-Off Easier
Getting out the door with little ones doesn't have to be stressful. Our Balham nursery team shares practical tips for creating a calm morning routine that sets everyone up for a better day.
21 March 2026
Child Development
How Children Make Friends at Nursery (and How You Can Help at Home)
Making friends is one of the most important skills children develop at nursery. Here's what happens in the classroom and what you can do to support your child's social development at home.
17 March 2026
Child Development
Why We Go Outside Every Single Day: The Case for Outdoor Learning in Early Years
At Little Starlings Nursery, we believe outdoor time isn't a bonus activity. It's fundamental to how children learn, develop and thrive during their early years.
12 March 2026
Tips for Parents
How to Check Your Eligibility for 30 Hours Funded Childcare: A Practical Guide for Balham Families
Understanding whether you qualify for the 30 hours free childcare offer can be confusing. We've created this practical guide to help Wandsworth families in Balham work out their eligibility step by step.
7 March 2026
Activities
Green Spaces Near Balham: The Best Parks and Outdoor Activities for Young Children
Discover the wonderful parks and green spaces within walking distance of our Balham nursery, perfect for outdoor play and family adventures in SW12.
3 March 2026
Settling In
Settling Into Nursery: What to Expect in Your First Month
Starting nursery is a big transition for both child and parent. Here's a realistic week-by-week guide to what the first month typically looks like at Little Starlings Nursery in Balham.
24 February 2026
Tips for Parents
Sleep and Nursery: How Tiredness Affects Your Toddler's Day
A well-rested toddler is a happier, more engaged toddler. We explore how sleep impacts your child's behaviour and learning at nursery, and what you can do at home to support better rest.
17 February 2026
Settling In
Separation Anxiety at Nursery Drop-Off: What to Expect and How to Help
Tears at the nursery gate are completely normal. We explore what causes separation anxiety, practical strategies that help, and what you can realistically expect over those first few weeks.
12 February 2026
Tips for Parents
Government funded childcare explained: 15 and 30 hours for families in Balham
Understanding the 15 and 30 hours government childcare offers can feel confusing. We've broken down what these schemes mean for families in Balham and SW12, and how they might work with your nursery.
7 February 2026
Child Development
Why Daily Outdoor Play Matters for Young Children, and How Our Balham Nursery Makes It Work Year-Round
Outdoor play is essential for children's physical, emotional and cognitive development. Find out why Little Starlings Nursery prioritises outdoor time every single day, whatever the weather brings.
3 February 2026
Tips for Parents
When Should You Start Potty Training?
How to know when your child is ready to start potty training, what the signs of readiness look like, and how to make the process as stress-free as possible.
6 July 2020
Activities
Our Fuss-Free Play Dough Recipe
The play dough recipe used at Little Starlings nursery in Balham - simple ingredients, no cooking required, plus activities that develop fine motor skills and language.
18 June 2020
Activities
Farm Activities for Toddlers: Learning About Where Food Comes From
Farm-themed activities for toddlers at home - from cow milking to seed planting - plus the best local day out near Balham for young children who love animals.
15 May 2020
Activities
Who's in the Garden: A Scavenger Hunt for Little Ones
A simple garden scavenger hunt for toddlers - what to look for, fascinating facts about common London garden creatures, and questions that build early science thinking.
8 May 2020
Child Development
What We Learn About in Our Summer Term
What Little Starlings Balham nursery focuses on during the summer term - animals, farm life, growing things, outdoor learning, and how parents can extend the learning at home.
30 April 2020
Child Development
Pre-Writing Activities for Toddlers at Home
Pre-writing activities for toddlers aged 2 to 5 - the foundational shapes children need to master before letters, and the activities that make building those skills genuinely enjoyable.
24 April 2020
Activities
7 Things to Do with Cardboard Boxes
Seven creative activities for toddlers using cardboard boxes - from monster pets to bug hotels - with the developmental reasoning behind each one.
17 April 2020
Activities
Jumbo Bubble Fun
A simple recipe for giant bubbles, how to make a super loop wand, and why bubble play is brilliantly developmental for babies and toddlers.
10 April 2020
Activities
Cabin Fever Busters for Busy Kids
Active indoor and outdoor activities for toddlers when energy levels are high - obstacle courses, animal walks, sensory bins and more, with notes on why movement matters for young children.
3 April 2020
Activities
7 Things to Do with Loo Rolls
Seven creative activities for young children using cardboard tubes - with developmental notes for each, from shape stamping to seedling planters.
27 March 2020
Ready to come and see us?
The best way to get a feel for Little Starlings Nursery is to come and have a look around.
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