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Active minds, active bodies: The importance of early years physical education
Blog
by Sara Coffey
This September, we’re proud to launch our new partnership with Early Years PE in selected early years settings across London. Starting with several of our Dicky Birds nurseries, this collaboration brings a specialist, play-based PE curriculum to our youngest learners. Sessions will be delivered by Early Years PE founder and expert, Josh Rudd, in a supervised play environment designed to support children’s all-round development.
While this new programme is currently exclusive to our London nurseries, physical education is a key part of life across all of our Grandir UK locations. We create engaging, age-appropriate experiences that support gross motor skills and fine motor skills from the start, including tummy time, supervised floor play, climbing frames, and active and outdoor play.
Let’s take a closer look at why PE in the early years matters, how it supports children’s all-round development and what the new programme includes.
Why physical education is essential in the early years
Early years physical education is about much more than exercise. It lays the foundation for lifelong health, learning and wellbeing. Studies show that physical activity enhances both gross motor skills and fine motor control, builds confidence, and supports communication and teamwork. These are all key outcomes of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
At Grandir UK, we know that movement counts. We offer repeated and varied opportunities for early years children to climb, roll, balance and run. This helps them build core strength, spatial awareness and resilience across every age group.
According to the NHS and UK Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines, children under five who can walk should be physically active for at least 180 minutes each day. These physical activities spread across the day can include both light and energetic movement, such as climbing, ball games and imaginative play, both indoors and outdoors.
The benefits of early years PE
Physical development in the early years has long-term benefits that go far beyond fitness. Some of the key advantages include:
Builds physical literacy
Children develop the confidence and competence to move with purpose. They gain essential movement skills like coordination, balance and agility, which help them become confident and capable during physical play.
Supports social and emotional development
Through turn-taking, group games and shared tasks, children learn how to collaborate, empathise and problem-solve. These experiences support their social skills and emotional wellbeing.
Improves confidence and self-esteem
Whether mastering a ball game or simply being active during everyday routines, children begin to trust their bodies and feel proud of what they can achieve.
Encourages lifelong healthy habits
Early exposure to movement builds strong bodies and healthy routines. It strengthens core muscles, promotes emotional wellbeing and supports healthy growth, laying the foundation for active lifestyles well beyond the early years.
Government guidance on physical activity
The physical activity guidelines for early years recommend that children aged one to five who are able to walk should take part in at least 180 minutes of movement every day. This should be spread across the day and include a mix of gentle and energetic activities.
Limiting sedentary time is also important. Daily movement plays a key role in developing gross and fine motor skills, building confidence, supporting emotional regulation and creating healthy habits for life. These principles are embedded across all Grandir UK early years settings. You can read more about these recommendations in the NHS physical activity guidelines for children under five.
What’s in the new PE programme?
Our new partnership with Early Years PE introduces a variety of inclusive, imaginative and developmentally appropriate physical activities to our London nurseries. Each activity is built to support physical literacy, boost confidence and make movement fun.
Football
Football in the early years is about more than kicking a ball. With the help of Early Years PE’s mascot, Poppy the Penguin, children are transported into an imaginary world where footballs become penguin eggs and defenders turn into sharks. Through this playful theme, children practise stopping the ball with their feet, kicking it different distances and even having a go at being the goalkeeper. These activities support hand-eye coordination, balance and focus.
Rugby-inspired play
Rugby introduces children to fast-paced movement, agility and strength. Instead of kicking, children are encouraged to carry and protect the ball, which they imagine is a cuddly bear. They weave through space like snakes, holding their ‘bear’ tight, building both strength and awareness. These sessions help children understand the difference between hand-based and foot-based sports, while having fun and staying active.
Athletics for preschoolers
Athletics-themed games give children the opportunity to challenge themselves. Activities include long jump, beanbag throws, running races and mini hurdles. These build stamina, coordination and resilience, all while introducing friendly competition. Children also meet playful animal characters throughout the sessions, keeping them engaged and motivated to learn new techniques.
Creative and seasonal PE
Physical activity should be fun all year round. That’s why the Early Years PE programme includes themed games during key moments in the calendar. From Halloween hide-and-seek to Christmas obstacle courses, these sessions tap into children’s excitement around seasonal events and keep them engaged no matter the weather.
Our partnership in action
Josh Rudd, founder of Early Years PE, brings a wealth of experience and a child-first philosophy to every session. With over 20 years of coaching and teaching experience, a degree in Secondary Physical Education, a diploma in Education Studies and a Level 2 qualification in childcare, Josh is passionate about helping young children thrive through movement. He’s also a proud dad of two girls, which gives him first-hand insight into what makes early years education meaningful.
“I am thrilled to expand my work with Grandir UK and welcome the new nurseries on board. It’s important to us at Early Years PE that we work with companies and settings that share the same ethos as we do. Instilling a love for Physical Education, Development, and Activity at this age is crucial, and I truly believe it helps shape our children to be the best versions of themselves.”
– Josh Rudd, Founder, Early Years PE
Our nursery teams are already seeing the benefits. With the support and training provided through this partnership, practitioners are even better equipped to bring physical development into everyday nursery life.
Participating nurseries include:
Helping children thrive through movement
At Grandir UK, we understand that physical development is a key part of early learning. Through structured PE sessions, outdoor exploration and active daily routines, we give every child the opportunity to build strong bodies, confident minds and a love for movement.
Even if your child is not attending one of the nurseries currently taking part in the Early Years PE programme, rest assured that physical development is prioritised in every Grandir UK setting. From tummy time to group games in the garden, movement is a part of how we support children’s learning and growth every day.
Discover how movement shapes learning
Explore our nurseries to see how we support children’s all-round development through meaningful early years physical education.
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