The impact of the Early Years PSED programme at Little Puddings Childminders
At Little Puddings Childminders in Lincoln, led by Susanne Rice, practitioners have been using Partnership for Children’s Early Years PSED programme with younger children, including two-year-olds. A visit by Jayne Carter, Early Years Programme Development Lead at Partnership for Children in March 2026 showed how the programme was being adapted in practice and the positive impact it was having on children’s emotional development, communication and confidence.
A calm, nurturing environment that supports emotional wellbeing
The setting provided a warm, nurturing environment, with features such as a book area and calming corner helping children feel secure and settled. Practitioners used calm, reassuring language and sensitive support to help children understand and manage their feelings.
Children showed secure attachments to familiar adults, who responded warmly and helped them regulate emotions and return confidently to play. This responsive support reflected the programme’s focus on emotional literacy and wellbeing.
Using storytelling to build emotional understanding
During the storytelling session, the practitioner used expressive language, facial expressions and gestures to hold children’s attention. Children were encouraged to predict what might happen next and talk about how characters were feeling, helping them explore emotions and empathy in an accessible way.
Children remained engaged throughout and some confidently shared their own ideas and experiences. The session also supported turn-taking, listening and group participation, with children appearing comfortable and involved.
Adapting the programme successfully for two-year-olds
Practitioners used the programme thoughtfully with younger children, adapting activities through simplified language, visual cues, songs, actions and repetition. Sessions were kept short and flexible so that two-year-olds could take part at their own pace.
Staff were responsive to individual needs, using modelling, one-to-one encouragement, props and familiar routines to support participation. They also recognised that younger children often communicate feelings through behaviour, gestures and facial expressions as well as words.
Supporting confidence, independence and positive relationships
Children were encouraged to make choices, help with simple tasks and take part in daily routines, building confidence and independence. Some showed growing confidence in their interactions, including one child who independently chose a book to share with Jayne.
Children were also observed playing cooperatively, while practitioners supported turn-taking, sharing and simple problem-solving. The calm, well-organised environment helped children feel emotionally secure and confident.
This visit showed how the Early Years PSED programme can be used by childminders and successfully adapted for two-year-olds through responsive, developmentally appropriate practice. Little Puddings Childminders has been piloting the Early Years PSED programme thanks to funding from the Kavli Trust and it was good to see first-hand how the programme is helping children to recognise feelings, build confidence and develop positive relationships.