Pastoral Care

Supporting children’s wellbeing, emotions and early relationships 

At Little Learners, children’s emotional wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We know that when children feel safe, understood and valued, they are ready to explore, learn and build positive relationships. Our pastoral approach supports every child to develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of self. 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) 

PSED is a core part of the Early Years curriculum and a daily focus in our nursery. Through play, routines and nurturing interactions, we help children to: 

• Build friendships and learn to play alongside others 
• Develop independence and self‑care skills 
• Understand their feelings and express them safely 
• Learn to share, take turns and solve small conflicts 
• Grow in confidence and feel proud of their achievements 

Our staff model positive behaviour, kindness and empathy, helping children learn these skills in a natural, supportive way. 

Supporting self regulation 

Learning to manage emotions is a big part of early childhood. We gently guide children to recognise how they feel and find strategies to calm, communicate and cope. This might include: 

• Breathing techniques 
• Quiet time in a calm space 
• Talking through feelings with a trusted adult 
• Using visual supports or simple language to label emotions 

We support children to recognise and talk about their emotions in an age-appropriate way. We use high quality texts (e.g. The Colour Monster and Tom Percivals’ ‘Big Bright Feelings’ books) to support children to access the complex ideas about emotions in age-appropriate ways.

Through stories, discussion and play-based activities, children begin to understand that all feelings are normal and most importantly develop developmentally appropriate ways to express how they are feeling.

We never expect children to manage big feelings alone — adults are always close by to support, comfort and guide them. 

Calm spaces in every classroom 

Each of our classrooms includes a dedicated calm space where children can rest, reflect or take a moment when they need it. These areas are cosy, quiet and filled with soft furnishings, books and sensory resources. Children learn that it’s okay to take a break and that their feelings are always respected. 

An attachment based approach 

Our pastoral care is rooted in attachment theory, which recognises the importance of warm, consistent relationships in helping children feel secure. In simple terms, this means: 

• Children need a trusted adult who responds to them with care and understanding 
• Feeling safe helps children explore and learn with confidence 
• Strong relationships build resilience and emotional wellbeing 

Every child at Little Learners has a key person who gets to know them deeply — their interests, routines, comforts and needs. This relationship helps children settle quickly, feel understood and develop a strong sense of belonging. 

Working in partnership with families 

We know that parents are children’s first and most important educators. We work closely with families to share strategies, celebrate progress and support any challenges. Whether it’s behaviour, routines, emotions or transitions, we are always here to help.