The year between a first birthday and a second is full of surprises. One week your child is pulling up on the sofa, the next they let go and take a wobbly step on their own. They say “mama” and “dada”, point at everything they want, and laugh when another child does something funny. If you are thinking about nursery at this age, you probably have questions: Is one too young? What will they get out of it? And what does their day actually look like?

At Balloon Nursery, our toddler programme welcomes children at exactly this stage and supports them as they learn to walk, talk and play with others. If your question is more “when should my child start nursery at all?”, our guide to the right age to start nursery answers that. This article is about something different: what happens with your child between 12 and 24 months at nursery, and how you can help at home.

A quick note before we start: the ages below are approximate. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes milestones as things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age. That means some children get there earlier and some a little later, and both are usually fine.

First steps: from crawling to walking

Movement changes quickly between 12 and 18 months. Children start by standing while holding the furniture, then take a few steps on their own. According to the CDC checklist for 18 months, most children walk without holding on to anything by that age.

At nursery, a safe space makes all the difference: a soft floor, child-sized furniture, push-and-pull toys, and room to fall down and get back up without fear. The World Health Organization recommends that children aged one to two spend at least 180 minutes a day in physical activity, spread through the day, and that one-year-olds have no screen time at all.

First words: understanding comes before talking

Your child understands far more than they can say. Before the words arrive, they point, nod, shake their head and reach out. By 15 months, the CDC checklist says most children try to say one or two words besides “mama” or “dada” and point to ask for something.

At nursery, children hear language all day long: songs, picture books, and a caregiver naming things as they play (“That’s a red ball!”). At home, the best things you can do are simple. Talk to your child while you dress and feed them, read a short book before bed, and answer their babbling as if it were real conversation.

Many families in Sharjah speak Arabic at home while their child hears English at nursery. That is not a problem, and hearing two languages early is common and healthy. We explain more in our article on raising a bilingual child in Sharjah.

First friendships: playing side by side

Do not expect a one-year-old to “play with” other children the way older children do. What usually happens is that they play next to other children, watching and copying them. This side-by-side play is the very beginning of friendship. The CDC notes that most children copy other children while playing by around 15 months.

At this age it is also normal to see toys snatched, tears and the odd push. Toddlers cannot share yet. A good caregiver’s job is to calm the moment and give the child simple words for their feelings (“You’re upset. You want the ball?”), not to punish.

Eating, sleeping and “I can do it myself”

Between one and two, children love to do things on their own: hold the spoon, drink from a cup, try to pull off their socks. By 18 months, the CDC says most children try to use a spoon and drink from a cup without a lid. A good nursery lets them try, mess and all, because these small attempts build confidence.

Sleep changes too. Many toddlers move from two naps to one during this period. Let the nursery know how your child slept the night before so the team can spot early tiredness. For a look at how the youngest children are cared for, see a day in the infant room.

How Balloon Nursery supports this stage

  • We welcome children from 45 days to 4 years, so your child can stay with us from babyhood until they are getting ready for school.
  • We follow the British EYFS curriculum with hands-on, Montessori-style learning, and we use Arabic and English every day.
  • We are open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm, with early drop-off from 6:00am on request. A bus service is available.
  • We are licensed by SPEA (Sharjah Private Education Authority) and have been caring for children in Sharjah for over 20 years.

Want to see what toddlers get up to? Have a look at our toddler daycare activities in Sharjah, or visit the Balloon Nursery home page.

When to talk to your paediatrician

The CDC advises talking to your child’s doctor if your child is not meeting one or more milestones for their age, has lost skills they once had, or if you have any other concern. This is not a diagnosis, just an early check that can put your mind at rest.

Every child develops at their own pace.

Would you like to see the toddler room for yourself? Book a visit or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 342 8582.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one year a good age to start nursery?

Yes, many children start nursery at one. What matters is that the nursery is set up for this age, with a safe space to walk and play and caregivers who follow each child’s own rhythm.

My child is one and not walking yet. Is that normal?

Many children start walking between 12 and 18 months. According to the CDC, most children walk without holding on by 18 months. If you are worried, talk to your paediatrician.

Will my child get confused hearing Arabic at home and English at nursery?

Hearing two languages from an early age is common and healthy. At Balloon Nursery we use Arabic and English every day, and we encourage parents to speak at home in the language they are most comfortable with.

From what age does Balloon Nursery take children?

We welcome children from 45 days old up to 4 years.

What are the nursery opening hours?

Balloon Nursery is open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm, with early drop-off from 6:00am on request.