How nurseries and their teams can prioritise mental wellness in early years

Mental wellness in early years focuses on supporting children’s emotional and psychological wellbeing. 

In nurseries, mental wellbeing involves creating nurturing environments, building trusting relationships, and supporting both children and practitioners through thoughtful routines and emotionally responsive care. 

When nurseries place mental wellness at the heart of daily practice, children feel secure and confident, and teams are better equipped to support their healthy development and positive early learning experiences.

Why emotional wellbeing matters in early years

During the first few years of their life, children begin to understand their feelings and make sense of the world around them. All the experiences they have at this time will contribute to shaping how they form relations, handle emotions, approach learning, and other aspects of their development.

When a child’s wellbeing is prioritised, they learn that their feelings are valid and can express them in healthy ways. They also feel safer in other environments, such as nurseries, which supports smoother transitions and stronger engagement with learning and social experiences.

In early years settings, a focus on mental wellness shows up in the environment and the actions of teams working within them. 

For example, calm, predictable routines help children know what to expect, which reduces uncertainty and supports emotional stability. Similarly, nurturing responses from educators create a space where children feel comfortable expressing themselves, asking for help, and engaging with others. 

When emotional wellbeing is supported in this way, children are better prepared to learn and able to thrive throughout their early development.

How prioritising mental wellness helps young children in early years environments

Key benefits of focusing on mental wellness in children include:

• Supporting emotional regulation: Children learn to notice and understand their feelings so they can regulate themselves rather than reacting impulsively.
• Encouraging secure attachments: Consistent nurturing from nursery educators and caregivers helps children feel safe, laying the foundation for trust and healthy relationships.
• Improving focus and attention: When children feel emotionally supported, their minds are calmer and more open to learning, making it easier for them to concentrate during activities, follow instructions, and stay engaged for longer periods.
• Building resilience: Mental wellness helps children cope with everyday challenges in healthy ways. Over time, they learn how to recover from setbacks and adapt to change, as well as manage frustration without becoming overwhelmed.
• Fostering social skills: A strong focus on mental wellness supports positive interactions with others, and children will become better at sharing, taking turns, and resolving small conflicts through communication rather than emotional outbursts.
• Increasing confidence and self-esteem: Children who feel understood and supported are more willing to try new things, encouraging independence and helping them believe in their own abilities.
• Impacting brain development: Early emotional experiences shape how the brain grows and functions. Supportive, low-stress environments help children regulate stress and feel socially connected, which encourages healthy neural connections that influence learning, memory, and emotional responses over time.
• Reducing stress and anxiety: Predictable routines and emotionally responsive care help children feel secure, lowering their stress levels, which affects their emotional wellbeing and day-to-day behaviour.

Practices that can enhance mental wellness in early years

Supporting mental wellness in early years settings involves creating daily practices and consistent actions that help children feel understood and emotionally supported throughout the day. 

Helpful approaches for nurseries and other environments for young children include:

• Encouraging mindfulness and creating calm spaces: Quiet moments help children slow down and become more aware of how they feel. For example, simple breathing activities, cosy corners, or soft lighting give children a place to reset when emotions run high, gently supporting their self-regulation.
• Establishing routine and predictability: Clear, familiar routines help children understand what comes next, which lowers their uncertainty. They’ll be more relaxed and less likely to feel overwhelmed when transitions are predictable. 
• Promoting social-emotional learning: Daily interactions present opportunities to talk about feelings as well as model empathy and practise kindness. Guided play and supportive conversations help children learn to recognise their own emotions and to respect others' perspectives.
• Supporting physical activity and movement: Active and outdoor play and moments of physical activity, such as running or dancing, let children release energy, which can help them manage stress while improving their mood.
• Providing opportunities for creative expression: Art, music, and imaginative play give children ways to express feelings that may be hard to put into words. This is supported in the N Curriculum by the Holistic Health and Self Expression pillars, both of which offer emotional release and help children explore thoughts and experiences in a new and engaging way. 

How early years team members can support mental wellness

Even within a nursery that has strong systems in place, each team member has the power and responsibility to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives, including their overall wellbeing. 

Practitioners can support mental wellness in children in their care in several ways:

• 
  Model positive coping and emotional regulation 
  

Children learn a great deal by watching the adults around them. When you stay calm during challenging moments and talk openly about emotions, children begin to understand how feelings can be managed in healthy ways.

• 
  Offer individual support
  

Every child experiences emotions differently, and taking time to notice individual needs lets you respond in ways that feel personal and reassuring. 

For instance, supporting children with SEND may require additional emotional support or different communication approaches, and early years team members can adapt their strategies and provide extra guidance to help these children feel secure and included.

• 
  Build secure relationships
  

When children know they can rely on you for comfort and reassurance, they feel safe enough to explore, learn, and express emotions openly. If you build trust with them, they’ll also be more willing to trust others, which paves the way for all their future relationships with peers and adults alike. 

• 
  Collaborate with families
  

Families offer valuable insight into a child’s emotional world, and team members who share observations and listen to concerns help create continuity between home and the nursery setting. Doing so ensures that children have more consistent support, which can create ease and improve their overall well-being. 

• 
  Create a supportive nursery environment
  

When the environment supports emotional expression and offers comfort during difficult moments, children are better able to settle and engage throughout the day. Through their actions, such as how they communicate with children and respond to issues, each team member has the power to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in which children feel supported.

Mental wellness matters for practitioners too

Prioritising mental wellness isn’t just important for children, but also matters for nursery teams as well. 

When practitioners feel supported and balanced, they are more able to respond calmly, build meaningful connections with children, and contribute to a warm, nurturing environment. Looking after your own well-being also supports stress management and helps build resilience as you navigate a career in Early Years education.

At N, we support team members through wellbeing initiatives, ongoing professional development, and practical resources designed to support their growth, helping practitioners feel valued and prepared in their day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

We understand that a strong focus on mental wellness for both children and the team members responsible for them helps to create a positive and highly supportive environment where children can thrive emotionally and socially, and teams feel confident and empowered in their roles. 

Explore our Nursery Educators Jobs today to find a role where you can make a positive difference in children’s lives while being supported in your own well-being.