Nursery in Chandlers Ford Teaches Benefits of Play-Based Learning

Helen Clemons • 4 September 2025

Sunshine flooded the bright white nursery in Chandlers Ford, bringing with it effort and a feeling of love that was being generated by the people in that space. In one corner of the room, under that blazing sunshine, a small group of children was hard at work building a very tall tower. Their faces were serious. In another part of the room, there was a little girl determinedly putting clothes on the doll, all the while picking and describing exactly what she was doing in whispers.

 

To the normal observer, this may look like play. However, if you believe in child learning (as the educators of children's learning at Dragonflies Childcare within this nursery group do), you see many more things. You see childhood lived in its entirety, dynamic and alive; the narrative of how a version of play-based learning affords inroads into the confidence and curiosity of future learners.


Building Social Skills Through Collaborative Play


A pair of children were both reaching for the same red block, which threatened to become a point of conflict. Luckily, before there were any tears, a teacher knelt beside them. “That’s a terrific bridge you’re both making for the cars. Both of you used that block as the pillar? Maybe you could find another long one for the other side?”

 

This moment shifted things. Instead of conflict, it became negotiation. Only then did they learned how to share, how to take turns, and how to express their ideas. This is the beauty of shared or collaborative play. The best nurseries in Chandlers Ford introduce the core of human relationships through play. Whether they are building together, engaging in pretend worlds, or following the unwritten rules of a game, they learn empathy, how to cooperate, and how to be a good friend.


How Play Enhances Cognitive Development


That stack of blocks is more than simply a stack; it is a lesson in physics and an engineering challenge. Why did it fall over, and how can we make it more stable? When a child moves sand from a wide container to a narrow container, they are doing math, specifically volume.

 

This nursery in Chandlers Ford, embraces "loose parts" and open-ended resources intentionally support problem-solving and critical thinking. The children play to make their own discoveries. This is an innate characteristic of young children since they are scientists every day, where opportunity for discovery of the world exists.


Laying the Foundation for Literacy and Numeracy


At Dragonflies Childcare, you won't see children working through worksheets. You'll find them in a warm reading nook, entranced by a story told with puppets. You'll see them notice and represent their developing awareness of words.

 

They count the steps down from, they sort shells by size and colour, they sing rhymes. Literacy and numeracy aren't subjects to teach; they are skills interwoven into play that make them engaging, memorable, and joyfully made.


Why Choose Nursery in Chandlers Ford?


Choosing a nursery like Dragonflies Childcare is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your child. So, why choose us?

  • Expert-Led Play: Our qualified practitioners are experts in facilitating learning through play, ensuring every moment is rich with potential.
  •  A Nurturing & Safe Environment: We pride ourselves on creating a warm, secure, and stimulating space where your child feels confident to explore and grow.
  •  Holistic Development Focus: We care for your child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, and not just their academic readiness.
  •  Strong Community Links: We are deeply embedded in Chandlers Ford, offering your child a sense of place and community belonging.
  •  A Foundation for Lifelong Learning: We don’t just teach facts; we foster a genuine love of learning, curiosity, and resilience that will benefit your child far beyond their nursery years.


Overall Experience


As the day at the nursery drew to a close, the room was a happy mess; a testament to a day filled with exploration, discovery, and joy. The children, tired but fulfilled, had done more than just play. They had practiced being people.

 

All in all, they had built the foundational skills for school and for life, all under the gentle, guiding hand of practitioners. If you are looking for a nursery in Chandlers Ford, like Dragonflies Childcare that truly understands and champions the incredible benefits of play-based learning, then your child’s story could begin here. Visit our website to know more.

by Helen Clemons 23 October 2025
Only moments after I checked my inbox, I received my email confirming the return to work. My excitement rose up but also with some nervousness. My little one was at the heart of it all. The choice was to ease him in or go for it straight off with an all-day place. If you are wrestling with the same choice, just like I was, you are not alone. We can do this together, and among the nurseries in Chandlers Ford , Dragonflies Childcare is here to help you out. A Breakdown of Nursery Schedules in Chandlers Ford At first, I had to do some research. It quickly became clear to me that "nursery" is not a term you can apply. There were so many options available here in Chandlers Ford. For instance, I learned that nurseries in Chandlers Ford followed a school model. They also have facilities that are open all year round and by all means. Then there were the sessions; firstly, you had morning blocks (9 am - 12 pm), secondly, afternoons (1 pm - 4 pm), thirdly, the commonly offered "school day" (9 am - 3:30 pm). Finally, some nurseries even offered flexible full-day care (7:30 am - 6:30 pm). Just understanding this was the first key to finding a suitable option for us. Analysing the Financial Implications for Your Family Budget To be perfectly frank, this is a crucial juncture in the process. I pulled out my calculator and sat down to work the numbers. Part-time sessions had, unsurprisingly, the most favourable monthly impact on our budget. Still, once I factored in my need and the potential need for childcare for occasional hours, it began to close the financial gap. Aligning Your Family's Lifestyle with Nursery Hours Then again, both my partner and I are full-time employees, with commutes in and out of Southampton that were often unpredictable. The pressure we felt to rush to the best nurseries in Chandlers Ford to pick up our child on a strict 12 pm deadline was daunting. Finally, we came to realise that to preserve our family rhythm and sanity, a full-day nursery option was the best possible compromise for us, offering both certainty and flexibility. This was not about which day has the most hours, but rather the most appropriate structure for us. Making an Informed Choice in Chandlers Ford With that certainty, my visits to nurseries in Chandlers Ford became much more purposeful. I got beyond the brochure and asked some direct questions: “How flexible are your session patterns? Can they be interchanged?” “What does a full-day schedule look like compared to a half-day?” “How do you ensure a child in part-time care has access to key experiences?” “What are your protocols for early arrival or late pick-up?” The responses gave me everything I needed to know regarding their philosophy and flexibility. Why Choose Nurseries in Chandlers Ford? As you make this choice for your family, Dragonflies Childcare invites you to think about the reasons why our nursery in Chandlers Ford is an exciting place for your child. Real Flexibility: We know that families need to blend their weekly schedule to balance their work and family needs. All-Inclusive Transparent Pricing: No hidden extras for diapers, wipes, or healthy meals – so that you can budget with confidence. Community of Practitioners that Care: Our staff is committed to knowing your child, to ensure that they feel a sense of belonging and care. Reach Out to Us Today So, deciding whether your child will go to part-time or full-time nurseries in Chandlers Ford completely depends on you. There is no ‘wrong’ answer, but there is the answer that is 'right' for you. Whatever you choose, just trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone, and the fact that you are weighing these decisions carefully means you are already doing a great job. Dragonflies Childcare will always be with you.
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