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In a typical early years setting, you’ll often find children grouped strictly by age. But life doesn’t really work like that — families aren’t made up of people the same age, and neither are social circles. That’s why more nurseries, especially smaller, community-driven ones, are embracing mixed-age groups — and the benefits are both powerful and heartwarming.
In a mixed-age environment, children play, learn, and discover alongside others who are older or younger than them. This setup mirrors the real world, giving them daily opportunities to communicate, cooperate, and connect across age groups.
It’s not just practical — it’s deeply meaningful. Older children naturally step into mentoring roles, while younger ones absorb knowledge and confidence by watching and imitating.
As Dr. Maria Montessori put it:
“Children learn by observing one another. The child who is more advanced helps to pull up the less advanced, and the less advanced pushes the more advanced forward.”
This mutual inspiration creates a beautiful cycle of learning and growth — without pressure or competition.
In a smaller, boutique nursery setting, where relationships are strong and staff know each child well, mixed-age grouping thrives. Children benefit from deeper bonds, and educators can tailor their support with more flexibility.
But even in such a nurturing environment, we never compromise on safety or supervision. Maintaining proper staff-to-child ratios is key — ensuring that every child is seen, heard, and supported, no matter their age or stage.
Mixed-age settings create a family-like atmosphere. Older children feel a sense of responsibility and pride, while younger ones feel safe and included. This dynamic naturally fosters compassion, patience, and understanding — essential building blocks of emotional intelligence.
Over time, children begin to see themselves as part of something bigger. They learn that everyone has a role to play — and that being part of a community means caring for others, celebrating differences, and growing together.
As children grow, they enter larger social circles, family dynamics shift (new siblings, cousins, etc.), and they begin participating in broader community life. Being comfortable around children of different ages helps them transition smoothly into group settings, school environments, and growing families.
They also begin to understand how to lead, follow, negotiate, and compromise — key life skills that can’t always be taught in single-age classrooms.
Another benefit of mixed-age play is that it encourages healthy risk-taking. A younger child might climb higher after seeing an older friend try it first. An older child might experiment with a more imaginative story during role play because they’re inspired by a younger peer’s creativity.
These moments spark confidence, creativity, and resilience — all while being guided gently by caring educators who step in when needed, not before.
Mixed-age learning is a reflection of how humans learn best: through connection, community, and curiosity. In a world where we want children to be both independent and empathetic, confident and kind, mixed-age groups offer one of the richest environments to grow those roots.
At our nursery, we’ve seen how this approach builds a deeper sense of belonging and supports every child holistically — not just academically, but emotionally and socially, too. And that, to us, is what early childhood is all about.
— Farrah
Early Years Educator
