How Secure Attachments and Social Bonds Shape Confident, Happy Children
At The Gillingham Nursery, we know that the relationships a child forms in their early years shape the foundation for everything that follows. Long before academic skills or structured routines, what every child truly needs is to feel safe, loved, and understood.
That’s why one of our top priorities is helping children build positive relationships—with their key person, with peers, and with the wider world. In this article, we explore the importance of early social bonds and how we support them every day at our nursery.
Why Relationships Matter So Much in Early Childhood
Children are born with a natural desire to connect. From the moment they arrive in the world, their well-being and development are influenced by the quality of the relationships they experience.
In early years settings, secure relationships:
- Support emotional development
- Build resilience and self-esteem
- Encourage communication and cooperation
- Help children feel safe to explore and learn
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework in the UK recognises “Personal, Social and Emotional Development” as one of the three prime areas of learning, highlighting how essential relationships are in early education.
The Key Person Approach at The Gillingham Nursery
To support strong attachments, we use the Key Person Approach, where each child is assigned a dedicated member of staff who becomes their primary emotional anchor during their time with us.
This person:
- Greets the child each day and helps them settle in
- Builds a strong bond of trust and care
- Observes and supports the child’s development
- Acts as a point of contact for parents
This relationship gives the child a sense of continuity and security, which leads to better behaviour, greater engagement in activities, and stronger social confidence.
Helping Children Build Friendships
Learning how to be a friend takes time, and at The Gillingham Nursery, we support this process gently and intentionally. From toddler groups to pre-schoolers, we create opportunities for:
- Group play and shared projects to teach turn-taking and cooperation
- Imaginative role play where children act out real-life relationships
- Emotion coaching to help them name and manage their feelings
- Conflict resolution guided by staff, helping children learn empathy and problem-solving
We celebrate kindness, sharing, and inclusion. When a child makes a new friend or comforts a peer, those are some of our proudest moments.
Supporting Positive Behaviour Through Relationships
At our nursery, we don’t view behaviour in isolation. Instead, we look at what the behaviour is communicating. Often, big emotions or challenging moments are signs that a child is still learning how to express themselves or manage frustration.
Our team uses positive behaviour strategies that are rooted in empathy, such as:
- Gentle guidance and redirection
- Praise for effort and kindness
- Consistent routines that offer security
- Calm spaces where children can regulate their emotions
Through strong relationships, children learn to trust adults, feel seen and heard, and begin to self-regulate over time.
Partnering with Parents
Relationships don’t begin and end at the nursery gate. We work closely with parents to create a true partnership in each child’s development. We keep communication open through:
- Daily chats at drop-off and pick-up
- Parent consultations and progress updates
- Online learning journals and photos of your child’s day
- Tips and resources for supporting social-emotional growth at home
When children see their carers and teachers working together, it strengthens their sense of belonging and stability.
A Nurturing Community That Puts Children First
At The Gillingham Nursery, every child is treated as an individual with unique strengths, feelings, and needs. Our team is warm, consistent, and deeply committed to helping children feel connected—not just to adults, but to one another.
Because when children feel safe and supported, they flourish.
They take risks, explore new ideas, build friendships, and approach the world with confidence.
Book a Visit to See Our Nursery in Action
We’d love to show you how we build a caring, connected learning environment here at The Gillingham Nursery. Come meet our team, explore our space, and discover how we support each child’s journey—starting with strong, positive relationships.
