This wonderful guest post is from my member Gemma Oliver who is also a fabulous Hygge in the Early Years Member

Over the past few years, I’ve been exploring the different areas of my setting and taking a deeper look at the learning opportunities we offer. A key focus has been how we incorporate Hygge into our everyday routines—creating calm, connection, and a sense of belonging for the children in our care.

A Shift Toward Nature-Based Learning

Our journey has led us to gradually adapt our outdoor provision to reflect a more nature-based way of learning. This ethos now sits at the heart of our setting. Hygge in the Early Years helped me to understand the importance of connecting with nature, and how vital this connection is to supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

We spend much of our time outdoors—whatever the weather—and often barefoot. There’s something truly special about children feeling the earth beneath their feet. It brings a beautiful sense of freedom...

 You’ve spent hours setting up what you believe is a beautiful, inspiring play environment—but the children aren’t playing. Why not?

Let’s look through this with my Hygge in the Early Years lens, and ask:

“What do children need from this space to feel at ease, curious, and connected?”

Let’s problem-solve together:

 Time to Sink In

Peter Gray, a research professor on play, reminds us that it can take children up to 45 minutes to truly immerse themselves in play. If we interrupt this flow—by giving directions, asking questions, or shifting the activity—the clock resets. Are we giving them enough uninterrupted time to get lost in their play?

🌿 FREE TRAINING: Why Children Aren't Engaging (And What To Do Instead)

If you're finding yourself planning more and more activities but children seem less engaged than ever, I'd love to invite you to my free training.

Inside, I'll share the three Scandinavian-inspired shifts that help children become calmer, more focused an...

School Trips Shouldn’t Be Scrapped – They’re Essential to a Child’s Growth

While some may question the value of school trips — even suggesting they should be scrapped — I couldn’t disagree more. As an early years teacher in Bradford, I’ve seen firsthand the rich and meaningful experiences that outings provide for young children. These are not just “days out”; they are deeply educational adventures that nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection.

One of my most cherished annual trips with my Reception class was a simple visit to a local farm to pick strawberries. It might sound small, but to the children, it was magical. Imagine little ones picnicking beside the strawberry runners, barefoot and beaming, selecting the juiciest berries to take home.

But beneath the joy was powerful, discreet learning:

• Discussing where food comes from

• Observing how strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside

• Weighing and comparing quantities

• Counting one more, one

  ...

When we think of hygge—the Danish way of living with comfort, connection, and calm—it’s easy to picture steaming mugs of cocoa, soft woollen blankets, and flickering candles in the depths of winter.

But in Denmark, hygge is a year-round celebration. In the warmer months, it simply takes on a different shape. Cosy jumpers and firelight become picnics by the sea, bike rides through forests, and slow, meaningful moments with those we love.

If you're feeling the pull to slow down this weekend, here are some beautiful, summertime hygge ideas to try...

🕯️ Start Your Day Slowly

One of the most powerful ways to embrace hygge is by starting the day with intention.

Wake up slowly. Linger over breakfast with your family. Brew coffee, light a pastel-coloured candle, and open the windows to let the morning air drift in. Talk about your plans for the day. Smile. Be present.

The Danes believe how you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day—and I couldn't agree more.

🌊 Co...

In the whirlwind of early years education—where giggles, discoveries, and a flurry of little feet fill the day—it’s easy to overlook the quiet power of stillness. But weaving cosy, calm moments into your classroom doesn’t just create a peaceful atmosphere—it nurtures emotional wellbeing, enhances focus, and builds the kind of secure environment where children truly thrive.

Here’s how you can gently invite calm into your daily practice.

🌿 1. Set the Scene for Calm

The physical environment speaks volumes before you even say a word. Creating a cosy atmosphere can instantly ease children into a state of calm.

• Use warm lighting like fairy lights or lamps instead of harsh fluorescents. Natural light is ideal.

• Add texture and comfort: Think cushions, soft rugs, low-level seating, and even small tents or reading nooks.

• Include natural elements—wooden toys, plants, or nature-themed décor—to create a grounded, earthy vibe.

These small changes can transform your space i...

Are You a Parent Looking Around Early Years Settings or Schools for Your Child?

As a parent myself, I know how big and sometimes overwhelming this decision can feel. You want to find a place where your child feels safe, seen, and celebrated—a setting that nurtures curiosity and joy.

Here are a few questions I always like to ask when visiting a new setting:

🌿 How much time is dedicated to play?
🌦️ How often are children outdoors, and in what ways do they engage with nature?
🌟 How are children’s interests and questions woven into daily learning?
📚 What does the modern curriculum look like here, and how is it delivered?
💛 How is the whole child—their emotions, creativity, and uniqueness—celebrated?
🏡 How do the spaces feel as you walk through them? Calm, welcoming, inspiring?
🎨 What kinds of materials and resources do children use?
— Are they given creative freedom?
— Can they explore open-ended, natural, or recycled materials?

Choosing the right setting is about more than ticking boxes—it’s about fi...

In this weeks blog post I wanted to offer you a little glimpse into life at one of my fabulous Hygge Chlldminder Settings...

No two days are ever quite the same here — and that’s exactly how we like it. At The Young Ones, the children lead the way. They guide our direction with their questions, their curiosity, and their joy. As anyone who works with young children knows, learning rarely moves in straight lines. It twists, it turns, it pauses to watch a worm wriggle across the path or races ahead in bursts of energy and inspiration. But within that beautiful unpredictability, we have a rhythm — a gentle structure that grounds us. Our core routines are woven through every day like a reassuring thread. We come together around the table for family-style meals, share stories, practise daily mindfulness, enjoy movement and yoga and take time for important self-care like brushing our teeth. These moments are never rushed. They're part of our wider approach: to protect childhood, not hur...

"I Felt Like I Was Failing Every Day" — How Hygge in the Early Years Transformed My Teaching

One of the things I hear most often from educators is this:

"I love teaching, but I'm exhausted."

"I feel like I'm constantly rushing."

"No matter how much I do, it never feels enough."

If you've ever felt that way, you're not alone.

Today's story comes from a Reception teacher who discovered Hygge in the Early Years at a point when she was feeling overwhelmed by the pace and pressure of modern education.

What happened next transformed not only her classroom, but her confidence, wellbeing and joy in teaching.

Looking For Something Different

It all started with a book.

I was reading The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking and became fascinated by the Danish concept of hygge.

The idea that we could create environments centred around comfort, connection, wellbeing and belonging felt completely different from the messages I was hearing elsewhere in education.

I started researching onlin...

Not necessarily. An invitation to play is often open-ended, sparking curiosity and child-led exploration, whereas a new theme can be more structured and adult-driven. However, invitations to play should be used intentionally and sparingly to avoid taking over the whole environment. 

 Key Points for Reflection and Rebalancing

1. Intent vs. Impact

 • Ask yourself: Why am I setting this up?

Is it to introduce a skill, a theme, or to enrich curiosity?

 • Then ask: What was the children’s actual response?

Did they engage meaningfully, or did they ignore it?

This helps separate teacher intention from child impact.

2. Too Many Invitations = Too Much Noise

 • Overloading a space with multiple setups can actually overwhelm rather than inspire.

 • Sometimes, one carefully thought-out invitation is more powerful than five visually appealing ones.

Try leaving more blank space for children to build their own ideas.

3. Continuous Provision as the Core

 • Revisit yo...

We love eating outside all year round but in an early years setting or school the warmer months of the year do make things a little easier. 

I always find that eating outside in nature is a great way to simply slow down. It can be a picnic in the woods, a snack on a walk at the side of the river or simply bringing your snack table outside into your outdoor provision. It doesn’t need to be fancy! 

We love growing fruit and vegetables around our outdoor play spaces. There is something wonderful about spotting a child in the summer months barefoot, mid play and selecting a tomato from the garden then choosing a quiet place to sit and eat it fresh from the vine.  Think of all the sensory input and conversations you can have while eating in nature, or simply just having stillness and nature sounds when you eat which is so soothing. 

School mealtimes has always been a bug bear of mine and working with schools and settings to make it a more enjoyable experience. You can find out more about this ...