What does a day in a language nursery look like? A typical daily schedule for a toddler

A day in a nursery is a completely new reality for a toddler who has so far been at home with parents or grandparents. It involves play, but also education, teachers caring for physical and emotional needs, and developing social skills. It is also a new experience for parents and can be a source of stress

If you are a parent of a young child, you may be wondering what the daily schedule in a nursery looks like—especially in a language nursery—and what children do throughout the day. The nursery schedule is carefully planned to ensure that toddlers develop while feeling safe and comfortable.

Why is it important to know what a day in a nursery looks like?

Thanks to a structured daily schedule that includes playtime, educational activities, relaxation, and naps, children have a routine that provides them with stability and comfort. From the start of activities throughout the day, group caregivers ensure the well-being of each child.

At ITSW Nursery in Warsaw, children spend half of their day in one language and the other half in another, under the care of native-speaking teachers and caregivers, who also speak the target language. They support children not only in naturally acquiring the language but also emotionally and in their overall development. This way, toddlers learn languages naturally through the OPOL (One Person, One Language) method.

In our nursery, each day is carefully planned within operating hours to provide children with proper care, development, and rest. With a variety of activities such as free play, arts and crafts, music, movement, and educational activities conducted in three languages, children develop their manual, linguistic, and social skills. Parents can be sure that their children are spending their time in a way that fully engages their development.

Why is it important to know what children do and at what times?

Knowing the daily schedule helps parents plan their workday and ensures they are on time for pick-up. By understanding the structure of the day, parents can be confident that their child is developing appropriately, acquiring new skills, and feeling safe in their new environment. They also won’t be surprised by the activities their children participate in.

At ITSW Nursery in Warsaw, parents are regularly informed through newsletters about all planned and completed activities. Every day, when picking up their child, parents can receive important updates, such as whether their child ate well, their mood throughout the day, and whether they took a nap.

Find out more about our daily schedule and learning plan in three languages at our campuses: Karowa (Warsaw-Powiśle) and Styki (Warsaw-Saska Kępa).

Meals, hygiene, and personal care in the nursery – what does it look like?

Meals, hygiene, and personal care take up a significant portion of the day in a nursery. Teachers and caregivers ensure that children receive nutritious and tasty meals that support their proper physical and mental development. We serve healthy, well-balanced meals rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein. According to the schedule, children have a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack.

After each meal, children learn to take care of their hygiene by washing their hands. Our staff also assists with daily hygiene routines, such as helping children dress and use the toilet. They also care for children who wear diapers. Through patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, caregivers help children master new skills and become independent in these activities.

How does routine influence a child’s development and sense of security?

A well-structured daily schedule—including morning routines, educational and care activities, lunch, nap time, outdoor walks, and additional activities—gives toddlers a sense of security. Free play time, depending on the day, is also extremely important for fostering creativity and imagination. It is during these moments that children learn to build relationships with peers, develop social skills, and express themselves creatively. Routine helps children adapt to their new environment and provides them with a sense of stability.

What can parents expect from a nursery during their child’s time there?

When choosing a language nursery, parents primarily expect the highest quality of care for their child. They want their little one to be in a friendly and caring environment. In the nursery, children not only spend time playing but also develop social skills that are fundamental for future success in school and life. They learn values such as sharing, cooperation, respect for others, and responsibility for their belongings. Through daily interactions with peers, toddlers learn how to form relationships, solve problems, and handle challenges.

A language nursery also provides the unique opportunity for early language immersion. In an atmosphere of play, immersion, and natural language acquisition, children absorb English, Polish, and an additional language—such as Chinese, Japanese, French, or Spanish. Even the youngest children pick up new words and phrases effortlessly, which later allows them to communicate confidently in multiple languages and gain exposure to different cultures.

Activities and play in a language nursery are the best ways for a child to acquire skills that will be useful for their future education and life.

At ITSW language nurseries in central Warsaw, in Saska Kępa and Powiśle, young children develop not only their language skills but also their emotional and intellectual abilities through a carefully selected methodology. We focus on an individualized approach to each child, considering their needs, pace of development, and interests. Here, children learn not only how to communicate but also how to make independent decisions, solve problems, express themselves, and collaborate in groups.

Of course, children receive full physical and emotional care. Small group sizes allow caregivers to understand each child’s needs and respond appropriately. Each child is given special attention and care.

Because children spend half their day exclusively with native speakers of a particular language, they naturally absorb their caregivers’ language. They don’t think of it as “Japanese” or “Chinese”—for them, it is simply the language of their caregiver, and they instinctively try to communicate in it. This effortless learning process enables them to acquire new language skills without difficulty.

A child’s brain at this stage is like a sponge—toddlers are true language geniuses, absorbing everything. This means they can even master tonal languages like Chinese at a native level.

What a joy it is to hear our little ones say their first words in three languages! It is truly amazing! You can even listen to our two-year-olds fluently speaking Japanese, English, and Polish.