Our guides
Advice and ideas from our team
Child Development
The Seven Areas of the EYFS: What They Actually Look Like at The House That Jack Built
The EYFS has seven areas of learning, but what does that actually mean for your child's day at nursery? Margaret, our owner and director, explains each area in plain English and what it looks like in practice at our settings in Marlow, Hazlemere and High Wycombe.
12 October 2026
Child Development
Sleep, Rest and Development: What We See at Nursery Every Day
Sleep is one of the quieter but more powerful parts of a young child's development. Margaret, Owner and Director at The House That Jack Built, shares what she and her team observe day to day across their Marlow, Hazlemere and High Wycombe nurseries.
14 September 2026
Child Development
How nursery life helps young children learn to get along
Social skills don't arrive fully formed — they develop gradually through everyday moments of play, conflict and connection. Here's how we support that process at The House That Jack Built.
7 September 2026
Tips for Parents
Potty Training: A Gentle, Unhurried Approach That Actually Works
Potty training doesn't have to be stressful. Margaret shares how we approach this milestone at The House That Jack Built, and what you can do at home to make it feel calm and natural for your child.
31 August 2026
Settling In
Your Child's First Week at Nursery: A Day-by-Day Guide and Packing List
What to pack, what days one to five usually look like, the day-two wobble, and how you will hear how your child is getting on, from our Marlow Bottom and Hazlemere nurseries.
24 August 2026
Child Development
Why Mixed-Age Learning Works: What We See Every Day at Our Nurseries
Mixed-age groups are something we have always believed in at The House That Jack Built. Here is what we genuinely observe when younger and older children learn alongside one another.
17 August 2026
Child Development
Growing Up with Two Languages: What We See in Our Nursery Every Day
Bilingual children sometimes take a different path through early language development, and that can worry parents. Here is what we actually observe day to day, and how we support families navigating two languages.
3 August 2026
Tips for Parents
Free Childcare Hours in Buckinghamshire: A Complete Guide for Marlow and Hazlemere Families
Every funded childcare entitlement from 9 months to school age, how to apply in Buckinghamshire, the deadlines that catch families out, and exactly how 51-week and 43-week stretched places work at our Marlow Bottom and Hazlemere nurseries.
27 July 2026
Child Development
Why outdoor play matters so much in the early years
Outdoor play is one of the most valuable parts of a young child's day. Here's what we see every day at our nurseries in Marlow, Hazlemere and High Wycombe, and why we think time outside deserves to be taken seriously.
20 July 2026
Settling In
Helping Your Child Settle Into Nursery: What Actually Works
Starting nursery is a big step for children and parents alike. Here's what we've learned over more than two decades of helping families through those first days and weeks.
13 July 2026
Tips for Parents
How to Compare Nurseries in Buckinghamshire: What to Look For and Why It Matters
Comparing nurseries in Buckinghamshire can feel overwhelming when you're not sure what to look for. Here's what we'd suggest asking, and why some questions matter more than others.
6 July 2026
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