Parents in the Picture: Sharing the Magic of Nursery Life

Last week the woods were alive with children’s laughter and the crunch of leaves as our Forest School day unfolded.

Among the usual explorers we had a very special guest—one of our parents came along to see it all for herself.

Later she sent us this note that made us beam from ear to ear:

“To say I was blown away is an understatement. The staff were amazing, getting ready, transporting, setting up, feeding and playing in the wilderness with the little ones; making it feel so magical for them.

The Forest School is beyond what I would have imagined, with all the different sensory areas and the beautiful bell tent which provides a calm, quiet and comfortable place to rest when all the little feet have had enough excitement, for a little while!

I genuinely feel that my baby and all the others are so incredibly lucky to have such love and care supporting them at Sunshine, allowing them to take advantage of such a fabulous Forest School, just for them and their impressive imaginations.” 💕

Her words capture exactly why we love it when parents step inside their child’s nursery world.

And if you’re thinking, “Sounds wonderful—but where would I find the time?”—we hear you.

Life with children is already a juggling act: work, school runs, after-school clubs and the odd missing shoe.

That’s why it’s worth knowing that even a short visit really does make a difference—and the research agrees.

Why Parent Involvement Is So Powerful

The Department for Education names strong parent partnerships as a cornerstone of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and the Education Endowment Foundation reports that when parents are actively involved, children can make the equivalent of four extra months of progress in a year.

It isn’t about homework or extra tasks; it’s about the spark that flies when family life and nursery life connect.

Maria Montessori knew this long before the data.

She spoke of a triangle of learning—child, parent and guide.

When parents step into the “prepared environment”—whether that’s the woods, the art studio or the classroom—they complete that triangle and children flourish.

What Children Gain (Whatever Their Age)

Whether your child is a crawling baby, a chatty toddler or almost ready for school, here’s what happens when you join in:

• Confidence grows – Watching you chat with their key worker tells them, “These adults trust each other. I can trust this place too.”

• Language takes off – Your natural comments—“Look at the shimmering leaves!”—feed rich vocabulary and curiosity.

• Social skills strengthen – Your greetings, smiles and turn-taking show how to build positive relationships.

• Curiosity is contagious – When you have a go—balancing on a log, trying a craft, helping with a cooking activity—children see that learning is a lifelong adventure.

• Home and nursery connect – Shared memories give you stories to revisit at dinner or bedtime, linking their two worlds.

A Day to Remember

Picture it: children dashing between den-building and bug-spotting, toddlers collecting crunchy leaves, older ones helping younger friends balance along a log.

The bell tent stands ready when anyone needs a quiet moment.

Parents join in—sometimes for just an hour—and leave with muddy shoes and a heart full of wonder.

This practitioner

sums it up perfectly:

“When parents see the children exploring, they understand why we treasure this space. Their excitement bounces straight back to the children.”

One little Explorer proudly told us,

“I showed Daddy the stick den I built—it was my best bit!”

How Busy Parents Can Join the Fun

No need to be Bear Grylls—or to book a whole day off.

Here are simple ways to dip a toe in, even with a packed diary:

• Pick a pocket of time – An hour before work, a late-afternoon story time or a quick lunchtime drop-in. Even one visit counts.

• Share a “superpower” – Play guitar, bake bread, bring a favourite story or teach a rhyme from your own childhood.

• Help us give back – Join Diwali Lights of Hope, Christmas card projects or our weekly food-bank collection—children see kindness in action.

• Open a window to the wider world – If you work in healthcare, the post office or emergency services, a short chat turns “people who help us” into real-life heroes.

Just have a word with your child’s key worker or drop us an email—we’ll help you find a slot that works (even if your calendar looks like a game of Tetris!).

Why It’s Worth the Muddy Boots

Parent partnership isn’t about ticking boxes or helping set up snack time.

It’s about children growing up knowing that learning belongs to everyone.

It shows them their adventures matter—to their teachers, their family and the whole Sunshine community.

So here’s to parents who swap office shoes for wellies—even if it’s only for an hour.

You make the Sunshine adventure brighter, braver and a whole lot more fun.

Next time you can spare a sliver of time, come and see what all the fuss is about.

We’ll save you a spot in the bell tent and a few pine cones to discover—whatever age your little explorer may be.