How To Use The Toddler (18-36 Months) Pathway

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(This pathway component is currently available to read on the page below and will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)

How to Use the Toddler (18-36 Months) Pathway

Purpose of This Overview

This overview explains how to navigate, understand and use the Toddler (18–36 months) Pathway effectively.

It is designed to:

• support leaders, managers and practitioners in getting started

• clarify which documents guide thinking and which guide practice

• prevent overload or misapplication of materials

• ensure the pathway is used in line with its intended pedagogy

This pathway is not a programme to deliver. It is a professional framework that supports high-quality, developmentally appropriate toddler practice.

Core Principle: Start With Pedagogy, Not Paperwork

The toddler pathway is built on a clear pedagogical foundation.

Before using planning tools or project resources, all staff should be familiar with:

• how toddlers learn

• the role of adults in toddler rooms

• how curriculum intent is understood at this age

This ensures that documents are used to support practice, not replace professional judgement.

Step 1: Read These First (Foundations)

These documents establish shared understanding and should be read by leaders and room staff:

• Toddler Pedagogy Position Statement
  How toddlers learn and how adults support that learning.

• How Our Toddler Curriculum Works
  Explains curriculum intent, implementation and impact in toddler rooms.

• Curriculum Intent in Toddler Rooms (What It Means – and What It Doesn’t)
  Protects play-based, responsive practice and clarifies adult responsibility.

These documents shape how all other resources are used.

Step 2: Understand the Curriculum Structure

Next, explore how the curriculum is organised over time:

• Toddler Curriculum Overview & Rationale
  The big-picture vision for learning between 18–36 months.

• Toddler Curriculum Map (6-Month Bands)
  Progression awareness for adults across 18–24, 24–30 and 30–36 months.

• Year-Long Project / Theme Curriculum Map
  Seasonal, flexible context for learning across the year.

These documents support leadership oversight and progression awareness.

Step 3: Use Projects as Context, Not Content

Projects provide a shared focus but do not dictate daily practice.

Use:

• How Projects Work in Toddler Rooms (Guidance) to understand the role of projects

• Main Project Planners as professional thinking tools

• Mini-Project Planners for short-term interest-based extensions

Projects:

• enrich continuous provision

• support language and connection

• flex in response to children’s interests and schemas

Children are never expected to “do the project”.

Step 4: Focus on Continuous Provision

Continuous provision is the core of the toddler curriculum.

Use:

• Continuous Provision Setup Guides to design environments

• Continuous Provision Maps to ensure EYFS breadth

• Audit & Resourcing Tools to review and refine provision

Provision should remain stable enough for repetition and deep learning.

Step 5: Plan in the Moment

Planning for toddlers is observation-led and responsive.

Use:

• In-the-Moment Planning Prompt Sheets during daily practice

• Narrative and Focused Observation Templates to reflect on learning

• Weekly Planning Templates to support team reflection

Planning supports adults — it does not control children’s learning.

Step 6: Prioritise Language and Emotional Development

Language and emotional regulation underpin all learning in toddlerhood.

Use:

• Language-First Approaches in Toddler Rooms

• Supporting Emotional Regulation Through Language

• Five Sentence Stems for Toddler Practitioners

These resources guide interaction, not behaviour management.

Step 7: Use Assessment Thoughtfully

Assessment is used to understand children, not judge them.

Use:

• Narrative Observations to capture learning and engagement

• Progress Check at Age 2 Guidance where required

• SEND & Inclusion Strategy Pack to support individual needs

Assessment informs next steps and partnership with families.

Step 8: Support Transition and Partnership

Strong toddler practice supports smooth transitions.

Use:

• Toddler → Preschool Transition Pack

• Parent Communication and Information Resources

Families are partners in learning and development.

What This Pathway Is — and Is Not

This pathway is:

• developmentally appropriate

• EYFS-aligned

• relationship-led

• flexible and responsive

This pathway is not:

• a checklist

• a timetable

• a lesson plan

• an outcome-driven programme

Summary

To use this pathway well:

• start with pedagogy

• prioritise relationships and play

• use documents to support thinking

• trust professional judgement

When used as intended, this pathway supports confident practitioners, secure toddlers and high-quality early years practice.

Document Updated: January 2026

(This pathway component is currently available to read on the web page above and will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)

Recommended next read Selection

Or read our ‘Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement’

Additional Documents | Professional Membership Contents (Toddler 18-36 Months)

Navigate our Curriculum & Pedagogy guidance documents here.

Pedagogical identity:
Relationship-led, sensory-rich toddler practice grounded in schemas, play, and responsive adult interaction.

• 1. Welcome to the Toddler Room (Start Here)

  👉 This section prevents over-planning and aligns practice.

  • Toddler Pedagogy Position Statement – How Toddlers Learn (18–36 Months) [Free Orienting Sample]

  • Toddler Curriculum Overview & Rationale[Free Orienting Sample]

  • How Our Toddler Curriculum Works

  • The Role of Schemas in Toddler Practice

  • Curriculum Intent in Toddler Rooms (What It Means — and What It Doesn’t)

  • FAQs: Toddler Planning & Pedagogy

• 2. Toddler Curriculum & Developmental Progression

  👉 Adult understanding, not child targets.

  • Toddler Curriculum Maps

    • Progression across 6-month bands (18–24 | 24–30 | 30–36 months)

  • Intent → Progression Grids (Practitioner Reference)

  • Area of Learning Progression Maps

• 3. Observation-Led Practice & In-the-Moment Planning

  👉 Observation is the driver of planning.

  • In-the-Moment Planning Prompt Sheets (Toddlers)

  • Weekly Planning Template

  • Toddler Narrative Observation & Analysis Template

  • Focused Observation Templates

    • Communication & Language

    • PSED

    • Physical Development

    • Maths Seeds

    • Characteristics of Effective Learning

    • Behaviour & Emotional Regulation

    • Schema Observation & Analysis

• 4. Continuous Provision in the Toddler Room

  👉 The environment does the teaching.

  Universal Continuous Provision

  • Continuous Provision Setup Guides | Toddler Room

    • Small World

    • Messy / Wet Play

    • Dry Sensory & Loose Parts

    • Construction

    • Role Play / Home Corner

    • Mark Making

    • Book Area / Reading Nook

    • Music & Sound

    • Outdoor

  • Continuous Provision Maps (18–36 Months)

    • C&L

    • PSED

    • PD

    • Maths Seeds

    • Literacy Seeds

    • UW

    • EAD

  • Continuous Provision Audit & Resourcing List

  • Continuous Provision Rotation Planner Toolkit

  • Toddler Visual Support Labelling Pack | 18–36 Months

• 5. Outdoor Learning

  👉 Movement, regulation and sensory experience.

  • Outdoor Continuous Provision Pack

    • Outdoor Zone-by-Zone Setup Guide (Gross Motor, Sensory/Nature, Creative/Mark Making, Small World Outside, Water/Mud)

    • Seasonal Adjustments Planner

    • Outdoor Risk–Benefit Assessment Template + examples

    • Nature-Based Learning & Schema Guide

    • Outdoor Mark Making & Literacy Opportunities Sheet

    • Outdoor Maths Seeds Sheet

  • Why We Learn Outdoors in All Weathers (Parent Handout)

• 6. Projects, Themes & Schema-Responsive Contexts

  👉 Projects are optional contexts, not directives.

  • Year-Long Project / Theme Curriculum Map (52 Weeks)

  • How Projects Work in Toddler Rooms (Guidance)

  • Schema Coverage & Support Map

  Project/Theme Planners:

  • 12 × Main Project Planners (3–4 Weeks)

    • All About Me & My World

    • People Who Help Us

    • Autumn - Senses, Colours & Change

    • Light, Dark & Celebrations

    • Winter-Weather, Warmth & Cosy Spaces

    • Transport & Journeys

    • Growing & Changing

    • Animals & Their Homes

    • Food & Nutrition

    • Minibeasts & Nature Explorers

    • Summer - Sand, Sea & Sun

    • Playful Patterns & Construction

  • 8 × Mini-Project Planners (1 Week)

    • Big Machines & Building

    • Cooking & Food Play

    • Teddy Bears’ Picnic

    • Colours Everywhere

    • Water Play Week

    • My Favourite Things

    • Rhyme Time Week

    • Weather Wonders

• 7. Adult-Focused Invitations & Activity Resources

  👉 Invitations, provocations and shared experiences.

  • Activity Cards Pack

    Supports Child-led learning and responsive provision

  • Area of Learning Progression Maps & Adult Focus Sessions

    (Organised by Age Band: 18–24 months | 24–30 months | 30–36 months)

    Supports intentional teaching, vocabulary development and staff confidence

    • Communication & Language

    • PSED

    • Physical Development

    • Maths Seeds

    • Literacy Seeds

    • Understanding the World – Experience Progression Pack

    • Expressive Arts & Design – Creative Media & Expression Toolkit

• 8. Language, Interaction & Emotional Development

  👉 Interaction is the curriculum.

  • Toddler Room Poster – Five Sentence Stems For Toddler Practitioners

  • Supporting Emotional Regulation Through Language

  • Language-First Approaches in Toddler Rooms

  • Toddler Behaviour & Regulation: A Quick Guide

• 9. Assessment, Statutory Requirements & Leadership

  👉 Proportionate, meaningful assessment.

  • Progress Check at Age 2

    • Report Template

    • Practitioner Guidance

  • OFSTED Questions We’re Ready For

• 10. SEND & Inclusion

  👉 Early identification, gentle support.

  • SEND Inclusion Strategy Pack (18–36 Months)

    • Practical SEND & inclusion strategies for toddlers aged 18–36 months

    • Six quick-reference strategy sheets covering communication, sensory needs, anxiety and behaviour

    • Aligned with the EYFS Framework and the Assess–Plan–Do–Review approach

    • Inclusive, diagnosis-free guidance ready to use in everyday practice

    • Ideal for observations, provision planning, team use and Ofsted evidence

• 11. Transition & Parent Partnership

  👉 Strong partnerships, realistic expectations.

  Transition

  • Toddler → Preschool Transition Pack

  Home–Setting Communication

  • Toddler Room Parent Update & Home Learning Sheet

  • Letter Templates Pack

  Parent Information Pages

  • Why Mark Making Matters (Before Writing)

  • Supporting Speech & Language at Home (0–3 Years)

  • How To Build Language Through Play

  • Why We Learn Outdoors in All Weathers

Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members

Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.

• Curriculum & Pedagogy

  • Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement

  • EYFS from Birth to 5: Curriculum Coherence & Pedagogical Throughline

  • Whole-Setting Curriculum Map (Birth-5): Curriculum Intent & Progression

  • Pedagogy Guidance Document

  • Speech & Language Development - Setting Statement

  • EYFS Inspection-Facing Summaries

• Early Years Schemas

  Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5

  ↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)

  ↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template

• EYFS Setting Policies

  • EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List

  • Childminder Setting Policies Pack

    ↪ x 22 Policy Documents

    ↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document

    ↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List

• EYFS Glossary

  EYFS Glossary

  ↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.

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Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context.

Safeguarding content does not replace a setting’s safeguarding and child protection policy or the statutory role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). All concerns must be managed in line with current statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.

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