Hygge nursery creates 'calmer environment' and focusses on living in the moment

A nursery in Birmingham has succeeded in becoming a hygge-accredited setting, adopting the Danish approach to life that focusses on enjoying every minute of living in the moment.

Hygge-inspired nursery room

Edgbaston Nursery & PreSchool in Edgbaston has taken on the hygge ethos as “we feel that this ideology is perfect for our nursery as it promotes a child led approach with a strong emphasis on wellbeing”, says nursery manager, Zareena Rashid.

The nursery, part of the Storal Learning group, focusses on 10 hygge aspects – atmosphere; presence; pleasure; equality; togetherness ; gratitude; harmony; truce; comfort and shelter.

It has made physical changes to the layout of the nursery and created a calmer environment.

One of these is the introduction of cosy corners. Ms Rashid said: “Since implementing the cosy corner, the children have thoroughly enjoyed having a space to take time out to relax and calm. We have a tee-pee furnished with comfy pillows and sheets, this is where the children like to sit or lay down to enjoy books, singing or just some peaceful time.

“We often dim the lights and turn on the star projector with calming music and use this time to reflect and take some time out from our activities throughout the day.”

Another change it has made is the installation of mood lighting. “The use of mood lighting and calm music has had a positive effect on the children. We notice that they seem to be more focused when engaged in their play and show more concentration as the atmosphere is relaxing and calming. Playing calming music when children enter the room seems to encourage a positive mood which continues into the rest of the day,” reveals Ms Rashid.

Another new innovation is the baby spa with a lot of research done to find the best materials, colours, sounds and scents to create a spa effect.

“Together, these created a relaxing environment and we noticed almost immediately that the babies and toddlers were much calmer when using the area. Time is taken to allow the children to take in the atmosphere, not rushing the process when using the room and encouraging children to take in their surroundings, talking about what they can see and smell. The children have responded to the calming music, lights and smells positively and we can tell that they now anticipate the nappy changing process with excitement.”

Baby spa

In addition, the nursery has created the theme of wanderlust where staff bring the outside in and have natural resources such as fresh flowers in the nursery. “Exploring children’s interests by using natural resources as part of our everyday activities and ensuring that children can explore nature hands on. Children have been able to extend their learning by using the resources inside and taking their interests outside which enables ‘in the moment planning’,” says Ms Rashid.

Parents have found the new hygge approach has had a real impact with one mum saying it “has made my little boy much calmer and he focuses more on activities that we do at home. He is now more willing to explore the outdoors and the different nature and natural resources (less tablet time). He then wants to share his experiences at nursery with his peers of what we’ve done and made together.”

Another mum said: “I really think my son has enjoyed the switch over to using more natural materials in his play and artwork. He is very much an outdoors loving child and therefore enjoys things that relate to the natural environment.

“We as a family are quite environmentally conscious; we have an electric car, green roof at home, green energy suppliers, recycle etc and I think it’s important for the children to understand and appreciate the natural environment and care for it!”

click here for more details or to contact Edgbaston Nursery School