The short answer
An early years video is a dedicated film of your foundation stage. It shows families the care, play and learning their child will enjoy. A warm, calm film helps them picture their child settling in.
Why early years needs its own film
The foundation stage feels different from the rest of school. It is play-based, nurturing and closely supported, and families want to see that.
A whole-school film rarely has time to show it properly. So a dedicated early years film gives this stage the attention it deserves. Families of the youngest children often have the most questions, too.
It suits schools with a nursery or Reception class, and nurseries too. It also supports admissions and transition, by showing daily life clearly.
It can also reassure parents sending a child to nursery for the first time. Seeing the rooms and staff in advance often eases their worries.
What families want to see
- Care. Staff who are warm, patient and attentive.
- Play. Children exploring, building, painting and playing outdoors.
- Routine. Arrivals, snack time, story time and home time.
- The setting. Bright rooms, outdoor areas and the spaces children use most.
- Learning. Early reading, counting and talking, woven into play.
- Partnership with parents. How you share progress and keep families involved.
Planning the day
A little planning makes the filming day easier for staff and children alike. So share your usual timetable with me before the day.
Mornings often work best, when children are fresh and busy. Arrivals, free-flow play and outdoor time all make good footage.
Then avoid nap times, and any part of the day that tends to unsettle the group. Filming should fit around the routine, never the other way round.
It also helps to tell parents a filmmaker is visiting. Children then hear about it at home, and the day feels more familiar. My guide to planning a filming day in school covers the wider details.
Let staff know the plan, too. A short briefing means nobody is surprised when the camera arrives.
If you have both a nursery and a Reception class, plan time in each. Families want to see the rooms their own child will use.
Filming with young children
Young children need a calm, unhurried approach. So the camera stays at a distance, and filming fits around the usual routine.
A member of staff stays with me throughout. They know the children, and guide the filming gently.
Consent works exactly as it does for older pupils. Your setting holds it, and children without consent are kept out of shot, and never singled out. If anything changes later, I can re-edit the film.
Children often look at the camera at first. Then they return to their play, which is when the best footage happens.
Show a normal day
Families value a film that matches what they see on a visit. So film a normal day, rather than staging special activities.
Messy play, outdoor time in the rain and quiet moments all have their place. They show the setting as it really is.
Then when families visit, the rooms and staff already feel familiar. That builds trust from the first meeting.
Small details matter as well. A child's name on a peg or a favourite book corner tells families a lot.
Music-led or spoken word
A music-led early years film tells the story through play and care. It suits settings where staff would rather not speak on camera.
A spoken-word film lets early years leaders explain how they care for and teach the youngest pupils. Families hear the approach in their own words.
Both styles work well. Watch a few examples on my early years page, then choose what suits your setting best. Both can also include a short word from a parent, with the right consent.
Using the film
Place the film on your nursery or Reception page, where new families look first. It also suits transition evenings and welcome meetings.
Some settings send the link to families before their child starts. As a result, children and parents arrive knowing the rooms and faces. My guide on where to use your school video has more ideas.
Screen photos from the film can also refresh your prospectus and website. Short vertical versions for Instagram and TikTok are available on request.
Finally, share it with your staff. It is a good reminder of the care they give every day.
Questions schools ask
Do you film in nurseries as well as schools?
Yes. I make dedicated early years films for both schools and nurseries.
Is an early years video included in any package?
Yes. Ask about my current full package. It combines a promotional video, an early years video and 10 subject videos in one day.
How do you film very young children safely?
I follow your safeguarding policy, and work with a member of staff throughout. I only film children with permission.
Will filming upset the children's routine?
It should not. I keep a distance, work quietly and fit around your timetable.
Can parents appear in the film?
Yes, with the right consent. A short word from a parent works well in either style.
Show families where their little ones will thrive. Watch my early years films, then book a free consultation.
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