Physical Development is one of the most essential foundations of early childhood learning. It encompasses the growth, control, and coordination of both gross and fine motor skills, as well as the development of healthy habits that support lifelong wellbeing. At our nursery, we recognise that young children learn best when they are active, engaged, and encouraged to explore their capabilities in a safe, nurturing environment. Our approach to Physical Development is intentional, thoughtful, and woven into every part of the day to ensure every child grows confidently, safely, and joyfully.
A Setting Designed for Movement and Exploration
Our indoor and outdoor environments are carefully crafted to allow children to move freely and expressively. We understand that movement is not simply a physical act, but a crucial avenue for developing spatial awareness, confidence, and independence. To support this, our setting includes open floor spaces, climbing equipment, cosy nooks for calmer play, and a wide range of resources that encourage both energetic and controlled movement.
Outdoors, children have daily access to an environment that invites climbing, running, jumping, balancing, and negotiating natural terrains. Whether it is navigating uneven surfaces, rolling down small hills, riding trikes, or exploring materials like sand, water, mud, and loose parts, outdoor play forms a significant part of our physical development offer. We believe that outdoor learning provides unique opportunities for decision-making and risk assessment, helping children discover what their bodies are capable of while learning to manage challenges safely.
Developing Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills involve large muscle control—running, climbing, balancing, throwing, and catching. These skills are the building blocks for later activities such as sports, dance, and coordinated physical play. To support gross motor development, we provide a variety of structured and unstructured opportunities.
Structured sessions may include obstacle courses, group movement activities, dancing, yoga-inspired exercises, and guided games that encourage children to follow actions and movements. These activities build strength, balance, agility, coordination, and endurance. Practitioners model movements, offer gentle support, and celebrate every achievement as children grow more confident in what they can do.
Unstructured opportunities allow children to take the lead, developing independence and problem-solving skills. For example, a child may decide to build a path from stepping stones, climb a play frame, or chase bubbles across the playground. These moments promote persistence, resilience, and creativity while encouraging children to explore through natural curiosity.
Supporting Fine Motor Control and Hand Strength
Fine motor development is a key aspect of the EYFS curriculum and forms the foundation for later writing, drawing, cutting, and self-care tasks. At our nursery, children are offered a wide variety of activities that build hand strength, dexterity, and coordination.
Traditional fine motor activities include threading beads, using tweezers, building with small construction sets, manipulating playdough, and completing simple jigsaws. We also incorporate real-life tools—child-safe scissors, paintbrushes, pipettes, rollers, and mark-making materials—so children experience a diverse range of hand movements.
Mark-making is encouraged in many forms, not just at a table. Children may draw with chalk outdoors, make patterns in sand, paint at easels, or create artwork on large paper taped to the floor. These varied opportunities help children strengthen the small muscles in their hands and develop early writing skills in an enjoyable, pressure-free way.
Healthy Practices and Self-Care
Physical Development extends beyond movement and muscle control; it also includes building healthy habits, independence, and self-awareness. We support children in learning effective hygiene routines, such as washing hands, brushing teeth where appropriate, using tissues, and understanding the importance of being clean and healthy.
Mealtimes are calm, social experiences where children learn to feed themselves, use cutlery, and make choices that support a balanced diet. Staff talk positively about food, encouraging children to try new tastes and develop an understanding of nutritious choices. We involve children in mealtime routines—setting tables, pouring drinks, or serving themselves where safe—helping to build independence and responsibility.
We also support children in understanding their bodies’ needs. Practitioners model and verbalise self-awareness by saying things like, “I need a drink, I feel thirsty,” or “Let’s rest for a moment, that was a lot of running.” These simple moments teach children to recognise hunger, thirst, tiredness, and the need for a break, all essential components of physical wellbeing.
Rest, Relaxation, and Emotional Safety
Physical development is closely linked with emotional health. Children need periods of calm and rest to regulate their bodies and mind. Throughout the day, we provide cosy corners, soft seating, and quiet spaces where children can pause, reflect, or rest. Our staff ensure children understand that taking a break is a healthy part of activity.
We also place great emphasis on emotional safety during physical exploration. Practitioners remain close by, offering reassurance, encouragement, and gentle guidance. When children encounter a challenge—climbing higher than before, balancing on a log, learning to pedal—we support them with positive language that builds resilience rather than fear.
Risk Awareness and Safe Physical Exploration
Learning to manage risk is a crucial part of developing physical competence. Our approach is not to eliminate risk, but to manage it responsibly. Children are encouraged to assess situations themselves before climbing, running, or trying something new. Practitioners help by modelling language such as, “Do you feel steady?” or “Is there enough space for you to run here?”
By learning to understand and manage risk, children develop independence, judgement, and a stronger sense of personal safety—skills that will benefit them far beyond their early years.
Inclusion and Individual Support
Every child develops at their own pace. Our approach is inclusive and responsive, ensuring that children with additional physical needs or medical conditions receive tailored support. We work closely with parents, health visitors, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists when needed to ensure every child experiences success and progress.
Adaptive equipment, sensory resources, and additional adult guidance are provided sensitively and respectfully. We celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and encourage children to feel proud of what their bodies can do.
Partnership With Families
We work alongside parents to promote healthy, active lifestyles both at nursery and at home. Families are encouraged to share milestones, such as learning to ride a scooter or trying a new physical activity, so that we can support and celebrate progress together.
We also provide ideas for active play at home, simple fine motor activities, healthy meal suggestions, and guidance on establishing positive sleep routines.
In Summary
Physical Development is central to everything we do. Through thoughtful planning, nurturing relationships, and an inspiring environment, we help children to gain the strength, confidence, and independence they need to thrive. Whether climbing outdoors, mark-making indoors, practising self-care, or learning how their bodies move, children in our nursery experience a holistic, joyful approach to physical growth and wellbeing.