news & updates
Reading Activities for Babies: Our First Mobile Library Visit
Reading activities for babies can begin long before children are able to recognise words or turn pages independently. This week, our babies enjoyed a very special milestone at Blue Windmill Nursery as they visited the mobile library for the very first time. The excitement was clear from the moment we arrived. There were books to discover, colourful displays to look…
Father’s Day Picnic at Blue Windmill Nursery
We’re looking forward to welcoming our nursery families to a special Father’s Day Picnic at Blue Windmill Nursery on Friday 19th June 2026 (weather permitting). Father’s Day Picnic Rugby The picnic will begin at 4pm and gives us a wonderful opportunity to bring together children, parents and siblings for a relaxed afternoon in our nursery gardens. Blue Windmill families are…
Learning About Road Safety and Nature at the Park
Our older children at Blue Windmill Nursery recently enjoyed a visit to a local park as part of our ongoing learning about road safety and the world around us. Before setting off, the children put on their bright high-visibility jackets and talked about how these help people see them clearly when they are out and about. Along the way, we…
Managing Online Risks for Young Children
Online risks for young children are becoming an increasing concern for many parents, as phones, tablets, smart TVs and online videos are now part of everyday family life. Even children under 4 can accidentally come across upsetting or unsuitable content while using a device, sitting with older siblings or watching videos at home. At Blue Windmill Day Nursery, we do…
Releasing the Butterflies at Blue Windmill Nursery
Over the past few weeks, the children at Blue Windmill have been part of something very simple but quite special—watching our butterflies grow from tiny caterpillars, into cocoons, and finally emerging ready to be released. At the beginning, the caterpillars were small and busy, spending their time eating and growing. The children were naturally curious, often stopping to watch them…
Playdough Workshop for parents and children
Last week we welcomed parents into the nursery for a relaxed, hands-on playdough workshop led by our Parent Partnership Lead, Jill Burnett. It was a simple session, but a really meaningful one—bringing together families, sharing ideas, and showing how everyday play supports children’s development in powerful ways. Jill guided parents through making their own playdough (recipe below) using a straightforward…
Gardening with babies at Blue Windmill Nursery
Gardening with Babies is something we’ve been enjoying with this glorious spring weather at Blue Windmill, and it’s often the simplest moments that work best. Our babies have been busy at the Watering Station, filling small jugs from the water butts and carefully (and sometimes not so carefully) watering the herbs. There’s a lovely sense of purpose as they scoop,…
Curiosity Corner: A New Outdoor Learning Space at Blue Windmill Nursery
Our Curiosity Corner is a new nursery outdoor space here in Rugby, designed to invite children into slower, more thoughtful play. We’ve been working on it over the weekend, gently transforming part of our outdoor space into something a little different. It sits just under cover, making it usable in all weathers, and offers a calm contrast to the busier…
A Special Nursery Visit to Westlands Care Home
The children enjoyed a truly special visit to Westlands Care Home in Rugby, this week. It was a gentle, joyful experience that brought together two generations in a way that felt natural and meaningful. The residents welcomed the children with warmth and enthusiasm, creating an atmosphere that immediately put everyone at ease. Shared moments of connection There was a lovely…
Local Author Visit: Rosie Pickering at Blue Windmill
This week we were delighted to welcome local author Rosie Pickering to Blue Windmill Day Nursery, to mark World Book Day. Rosie spent time with the children sharing one of her stories and talking a little about how books are created. The children listened carefully, joined in with the storytelling and asked thoughtful questions afterwards. Meeting people in the local…
Accessibility in the Early Years: Supporting the Unique Child
When we talk about accessibility in early years education, we are not only referring to ramps or doorways, but to the wider idea that every child should be able to take part in nursery life in a way that works for them. The EYFS describes each child as a “unique child”, and accessibility is how that principle becomes practical in…
Why Failure Matters: Learning, Growing and Trying Again
Failure is not always an easy topic, especially when it comes to children. Many of us grew up learning to avoid mistakes, to get things “right”, or to feel uncomfortable when something didn’t work as planned. Yet in the early years — and throughout life — failure is often where the most meaningful learning happens. At Blue Windmill Day Nursery,…
Early Years Practitioner Skills
When people think about working in childcare, they often assume you need a very specific background or years of nursery experience to get started. In reality, many of the most important early years practitioner skills come from life experience, empathy and an ability to connect with both children and families. At Blue Windmill Day Nursery, we look for people who…
What Makes an Outstanding Baby Room Nursery?
If you are looking for an outstanding baby room nursery, you are more than likely searching for a place where you and your baby can feel understood and gently supported during a time of rapid change and development. As you search for the best nursery for your little one, you will probably base a lot of your decisions on gut…
Food in the Early Years: Finding a Calm, Balanced Approach
Feeding young children can feel surprisingly complicated. One moment you’re reading early years nutrition guidance about sugar, salt or portion sizes; the next you’re just trying to get everyone out of the house on time with something vaguely nutritious eaten. For many parents, food becomes one more thing to think about in an already busy day. Early years nutrition guidance…
Understanding Nursery Fees and Funding: A Clear Guide for Parents
Nursery fees and funding can feel confusing, even for parents who have been through the system before. There are different age groups, different types of support, and guidance that can feel difficult to interpret at first. At Blue Windmill Day Nursery, our aim is to explain things clearly and calmly, so families can understand how childcare costs work without feeling…
Mixed-Age Play: Building Kindness, Confidence and Resilience
In early years settings, children naturally spend most of their time with their own peer group. This is valuable: they build friendships with children at a similar stage of development, practise turn-taking, learn how to negotiate, and find common interests. But there is also a quiet strength in allowing children to play, explore and collaborate with those who are older…
Outdoor Learning in the Early Years
At Blue Windmill Day Nursery in Rugby, outdoor play for early years helps little ones of all ages explore, test ideas, and build friendships. We encourage children to spend as much time as they like outside – toddling across the grass, balancing on logs, or spotting a ladybirds. The natural world offers children something that four walls can’t: space to…
Out and About in Rugby: Five Outdoor Walks to Notice Nature with Your Child
Discover five family-friendly outdoor walks in Rugby, with accessible paths and simple nature activities to engage young children at their own pace.
How Rugby Got Its Name: Helping Children Understand Where They Live
A simple child-friendly look at how Rugby got its name and how local stories help children feel rooted in their community.