Little minds, big feelings

At ESMS Nursery, we believe that mental health is just as important as physical health and that support is important from the very start. Our approach is rooted in community, connection and care. We’ve spent years thoughtfully shaping a nursery environment that not only feels safe and joyful but also promotes emotional wellbeing for every child, family member and staff member who walks through our doors.

Building Strong Foundations Through Relationships

Attachment theory and developmental psychology highlight the importance of a secure adult-child bond in fostering emotional regulation and resilience. At the heart of our nursery is a commitment to relationships. High staff-to-child ratios ensure every child has time to be seen, heard and understood. We prioritise secure attachments between children and staff and invest in professional development for our team, exploring topics like trauma, regulation, mindfulness and attachment. When staff feel supported, they can model emotional resilience and connection—and our children learn from what they see.

We don’t forget about our parents either. From informal chats at the door to structured feedback surveys, we actively listen to our parents and carers. Initiatives like “Tea and Toast” mornings and “Stay and Play” sessions offer space for families to connect with staff and each other, reinforcing our core belief: community isn’t just for the children—it’s for everyone.

The Power of Nature: Our Forest Kindergarten

Spending time outdoors isn’t a just a treat—it’s a key part of our daily rhythm. Our Forest Kindergarten and vast outdoor garden give children the chance to be themselves in nature. We know that time outside reduces stress, soothes anxiety and supports emotional regulation. It also gives children the freedom to express themselves in different ways in a space where they feel unconfined, comfortable and heard.

Risk-taking and choice-making in nature build confidence and resilience. Children learn to work together—navigating logs, building dens and sharing discoveries which deepens their sense of belonging. Nature doesn’t just calm the nervous system; it brings our community even closer together and allows different children to shine. It’s one reason we have expanded and continue to expand our forest sessions into Primary 1 and beyond.

Speaking the Same Emotional Language

Children who can name and understand their emotions are better at managing them and developing empathy. That’s why we’ve developed a consistent language for feelings across home and nursery. Each day begins with an ‘emotion check-in,’ giving children the opportunity to tell us how they’re feeling whils helping them learn how to name those emotions. Our staff receive training on supporting emotional development and we work with parents to use similar language at home. Emotion stones, spoons, puppets and stories are all critical resources and part of a shared toolkit that empowers children to understand themselves and others.

Supporting Staff to Support Children

The emotional wellbeing of our staff is essential to the emotional wellbeing of our children. We take this seriously—because when adults feel safe and valued, they’re better able to care for others.

That’s why we offer ‘Feel Good Friday’ treats, lunches for those rushing between responsibilities and the occasional fun team bonding game like ‘The Traitors’ to bring fun and laughter to the workplace. When tough days come—and they do—we do our best to give our staff the time, space and trained support they need to regroup. No one is ever left to cope alone.

Involving Families, Celebrating Identity

ESMS nursery is a place where every child’s background and identity are celebrated. We welcome families to share their stories and traditions, helping children take pride in who they are and where they come from. Learning doesn’t stop at our doors—families are encouraged to share in it through digital platforms such as Seesaw. Traditional methods are just as important and when children see their drawings, early writing or photos of their play carefully collected and displayed in their very own paper Learning Book, it sends a powerful message: what you do matters.

Executive function (which includes emotional control and focus) starts developing rapidly around this age and can be shaped through practice. We have invested lots of time working with specialists to develop mindful practices and sessions across the Nursery.

Mental health isn’t something extra

At ESMS we want mental health and wellbeing to be the thread that runs through everything we do.
It’s in the way we greet each child with warmth and presence.
It’s in the calm corners and nurture spaces where children can simply be.
It’s in the way we laugh together outdoors, share stories about big feelings and make space for every emotion.

It’s also in the way we build community—one relationship at a time.
When families feel involved, when staff feel supported and when children feel they truly belong, mental health has the chance to flourish.

This is what ESMS believe early years should feel like: safe, connected, empowering and full of love.
Because when we prioritise mental health and community in our Nursery, we don’t just prepare children for school—we give them the strongest, kindest start in life.