February in Early Years
February offers a natural moment in the early years to pause and reflect on relationships, belonging and community. Across Lewisham, children bring with them rich family histories, cultures and experiences, and it is through everyday interactions with trusted adults that they come to feel safe, valued and included.
This half term, we encourage settings to consider how daily practice — from routines and transitions to celebrations and care moments — supports children’s emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging. Events such as Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day provide meaningful opportunities to explore culture, kindness and connection in ways that are inclusive, authentic and rooted in children’s lived experiences.
At the heart of this work is children’s need for consistent, nurturing relationships with familiar adults, often described as professional love. This concept reminds us that warmth, responsiveness and emotional availability are not “add-ons” to learning, but fundamental to safeguarding, development and progress in the early years.
The importance of professional love has been most clearly articulated and legitimised in early years practice through the work of Jools Page, alongside Peter Elfer and Anna Housley Juster, who emphasise that ethical, boundaried, loving relationships are central to children’s wellbeing and learning.
The sections below explore how this understanding can be reflected through culturally responsive practice, positive relationship-building and everyday interactions that help all children thrive.
Lunar New Year
Many families across Lewisham celebrate Lunar New Year, and this provides a valuable opportunity to support children’s personal development, respect for difference and cultural understanding, in line with the EYFS.
Good practice includes:
- Sharing stories, music or visuals linked to Lunar New Year traditions
- Exploring colour, patterns, food or celebrations through play
- Valuing children’s and families’ lived experiences rather than “one-off activities”
- Avoiding stereotypes and focusing on community, family and celebration
Settings are encouraged to work in partnership with families to ensure celebrations feel authentic, inclusive and meaningful.
Valentine’s Day – Supporting positive relationships in EYFS
Valentine’s Day can be used in early years to explore:
- Kindness and friendship
- Caring for others
- Positive relationships and emotions
This aligns closely with the EYFS Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) area.
Reminder: Activities should always be age-appropriate, inclusive, and focused on friendship and kindness rather than romantic concepts.
Professional love is not an “extra”; it is fundamental to children’s safety, emotional wellbeing and learning, and sits firmly within EYFS and Ofsted expectations.
What do we mean by “Professional Love”?
Professional love refers to:
- Warm, responsive and attuned interactions
- Consistent, reliable care from known adults
- Comfort, reassurance and emotional availability
- High expectations held within safe, respectful boundaries
It is not about blurred boundaries. It is about secure relationships that enable children to feel safe enough to explore, communicate and learn.
In early years, particularly for babies, toddlers and children with SEND, professional love is a protective factor and a cornerstone of safeguarding.
Professional love in daily practice
Professional love can be seen in:
- Practitioners getting down to children’s level
- Comforting a child who is distressed
- Predictable routines and calm responses
- Using children’s names and preferred communication methods
- Supporting regulation before learning