And what we can offer them instead. I came across a post recently about why timers don’t always work for children, and it immediately made me think of what we see in our centre all the time. Timers are often the go‑to tool for transitions: "Ten minutes to tea break." “Five more minutes before we clean up.” “Okay, time’s up.” For many children, this works just fine. The countdown gives them a sense of what’s coming, and they can shift gears without too much fuss. But for some children, the...

The other day, I offered two options to one of my 12‑year‑old students. He looked at me, smiled, and said, “cher, you already know what I’d choose. Why do you ask?” It was such a simple line. Playful, light, almost throwaway. But it stayed with me long after that day. In that moment, I felt the quiet warmth of a relationship that has been built slowly, gently, through many ordinary days. His smile told me something important: he feels safe here . Safe enough to tease, safe enough to trust,...

As we close the chapter on 2025, we find ourselves reflecting on just how much the children have grown. It is not only in skills, but in confidence, resilience, and the quiet steadiness that comes from settling into a rhythm here at FUN. From the early months of learning new routines to the final weeks where they moved through their days with familiarity and assurance, this past year has been a journey of becoming. Every child took their own time to adjust, to trust, and to find their place....