What is Positive Practice in Early Years?

Positive practice in early years refers to the approach and behaviours of adults who care for and educate young children. It focuses on creating an environment where children feel safe, valued, and supported while developing skills, confidence, and independence. This approach involves how staff interact with children, how activities are planned and delivered, and how relationships are built both between children and adults, and among the children themselves.

Positive practice is about putting the needs and wellbeing of children at the centre of all decisions and actions. It requires thoughtfulness, respect for each child’s individuality, and a commitment to building strong foundations for learning and life skills.

Creating a Safe and Nurturing Environment

A safe and nurturing environment is the basis of positive practice. This means the physical environment should be secure and suitable for the age and stage of the children. It also means the emotional environment should be welcoming and reassuring.

Children learn best when they feel safe. This safety comes from knowing that the adults around them are reliable, consistent, and caring. In practice, this might look like a warm greeting each morning, gentle reassurances when a child is upset, and careful listening when a child expresses a worry.

Steps to create a safe and nurturing space include:

• Maintaining clean, hazard-free play areas
• Having clear routines so children know what to expect
• Encouraging respectful and kind behaviour
• Being aware of each child’s comfort levels
• Providing quiet spaces for rest or reflection

By supporting both physical safety and emotional wellbeing, children are given the best chance to grow and thrive.

Respecting Individual Needs

Every child is different. Positive practice recognises and respects these differences by adjusting activities, expectations, and support to suit each child’s development level, interests, and background.

Children arrive with varied experiences and abilities. Some may be confident talkers; others may prefer non-verbal communication. Some may need reassurance during transitions; others may adapt quickly. Respecting these individual patterns means staff need to observe and respond appropriately.

This involves:

• Watching how each child behaves and interacts
• Consulting parents or carers about what a child likes or struggles with
• Giving extra help where needed without making the child feel singled out
• Offering different ways to engage with learning, such as drawing, role play, or hands-on exploration

By acknowledging individuality, positive practice helps children feel accepted and valued.

Building Strong Relationships

Relationships are at the heart of positive practice. Children learn social skills, emotional regulation, and confidence through their interactions with others. Adults who show interest, kindness, and patience model the behaviour they want to see in children.

Strong relationships are built on trust. This means keeping promises, being consistent in behaviour, and listening carefully to what children say. It means showing genuine excitement in their achievements and standing by them during challenges.

Practical ways to build strong relationships include:

• Making time to talk and listen
• Giving praise for effort as well as success
• Using children’s names and showing interest in their stories
• Respecting children’s feelings and taking them seriously
• Being consistent in rules and boundaries

These relationships form the base for healthy emotional growth and help children feel confident exploring the world.

Encouraging Positive Behaviour

Positive practice looks at behaviour as communication. Instead of simply punishing actions, staff try to understand what a child might be expressing through their behaviour. This approach teaches children self-control, empathy, and respect in a supportive way.

Strategies include:

• Praising positive actions immediately, so children connect behaviour with approval
• Offering choices, giving children some control over situations
• Redirecting negative behaviour into constructive activities
• Setting clear and consistent expectations
• Discussing feelings and problem-solving together

For example, if a child grabs a toy from another, an adult might explain why sharing is fair, then help arrange a turn-taking plan. This approach teaches understanding rather than fear of punishment.

Supporting Learning Through Play

Play is a powerful learning tool in early years. Positive practice uses play as both a method and a goal. Through play, children develop language, problem-solving skills, social understanding, and physical coordination.

Positive practitioners know that free play allows children to explore at their own pace, while guided play can introduce new skills and concepts. A balance of both gives children freedom and support.

Examples of play-based learning include:

• Building with blocks to learn spatial awareness and cooperation
• Pretend play to develop imagination and language
• Counting games to support early maths skills
• Outdoor play to encourage physical health and appreciation of nature
• Creative activities such as painting to express ideas and emotions

Play offers a relaxed way to introduce learning without pressure, making it both enjoyable and effective.

Effective Communication with Children

Communication in positive practice goes beyond spoken words. It uses tone, body language, and attentiveness to show respect and interest in the child. A friendly tone, a smile, and eye contact all contribute to building trust.

Staff should speak at a child’s level both physically and developmentally. This means kneeling to a child’s eye level when talking, using language they can understand, and checking they have understood by asking simple questions.

Good communication includes:

• Listening without interrupting
• Repeating and clarifying when needed
• Using positive language rather than negative commands
• Encouraging children to express thoughts and feelings
• Celebrate their contributions to group discussions or activities

Children who are listened to develop confidence in their ability to express themselves.

Involving Families

Positive practice extends beyond the setting by involving families in the child’s development. Families offer context, continuity, and support for what happens in the early years environment.

Open and respectful communication between staff and families builds trust and helps children feel secure knowing that everyone is working together.

Ways to involve families:

• Inviting feedback and sharing observations
• Encouraging home activities linked to learning themes
• Offering updates through meetings, notes, or digital messages
• Welcoming parents and carers into events or activities
• Respecting cultural values and family routines

This cooperation strengthens learning and emotional support for the child.

Supporting Emotional Development

Part of positive practice is helping children understand and manage their emotions. Young children often experience strong feelings but may not have the words or strategies to cope. Staff can guide them by labelling emotions, teaching calming techniques, and offering reassurance.

For example, helping a frustrated child take deep breaths or guiding a sad child to a cosy area with a favourite book supports their emotional growth. Over time, children learn to handle feelings more independently.

Supporting emotional development means:

• Validating feelings rather than dismissing them
• Giving vocabulary for emotions like happy, sad, angry, worried
• Modelling calm responses to challenges
• Encouraging empathy by discussing how others might feel
• Creating opportunities for cooperation and mutual support in activities

Observing and Reflecting

Observation helps adults understand a child’s interests, abilities, and challenges. In positive practice, observation is not just for assessment but for planning responsive support.

Regular reflection on observations helps identify patterns and plan meaningful next steps for learning and development. It ensures activities match the child’s needs and encourages growth in all areas.

Observation involves:

• Watching without interfering too much in children’s play
• Noting developmental milestones or new skills
• Recording observations accurately and respectfully
• Using observations to inform future activities and support

Reflection keeps practice responsive and child-centred.

Responding to Diversity

Positive practice respects diversity in all forms, including culture, language, ability, and family structure. Valuing differences teaches children acceptance and compassion.

Adults in early years settings can bring diversity into daily experiences by introducing stories, songs, materials, and activities from a range of traditions and viewpoints. They can encourage children to share parts of their own experiences, helping everyone learn from each other.

Creating an inclusive space includes:

• Offering materials and images that reflect different cultures and families
• Supporting language development in both the home language and other languages
• Adapting activities for children with additional needs
• Challenging stereotypes and biased comments

An inclusive environment benefits every child by expanding their understanding and appreciation of the world.

Positive Role Modelling

Adults lead by example. In positive practice, they show behaviours they want children to copy. This includes kindness, patience, curiosity, and problem-solving. When children see adults act respectfully and thoughtfully, they are more likely to adopt similar behaviours.

Role modelling can take place in simple moments, such as sharing materials, taking turns, saying thank you, or solving disagreements calmly.

By being positive role models, adults influence not only behaviour but attitudes towards learning and cooperation.

Final Thoughts

Positive practice in early years is about making thoughtful choices every day that support children’s wellbeing, learning, and growth. It means respecting each child’s individuality, creating a safe and welcoming environment, and building strong relationships built on trust. It involves encouraging good behaviour through understanding and guidance, supporting learning through play, and engaging with children and their families as partners in development.

By committing to positive practice, adults give children the tools and confidence they need to face future challenges with resilience, curiosity, and care for others. This approach lays a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and personal growth.