If you've ever watched a young child struggle to understand what comes next in their day, you'll know how quickly that uncertainty can turn into anxiety, frustration or challenging behaviour. Visual supports for nursery settings are one of the most effective — and most underused — tools available to early years practitioners and families.
In this article, we explore what visual supports are, why they work, and how you can use them to create a calmer, more confident environment for the children in your care.
What Are Visual Supports?
Visual supports are any resources that use images, symbols, photographs or objects to help children understand information, communicate their needs, or navigate their environment. They work alongside spoken language rather than replacing it, giving children an additional way to process and make sense of the world around them.
In a nursery setting, visual supports might include:
- Visual routine cards showing the order of the day
- Feelings boards to help children identify and express emotions
- Activity choice boards so children can communicate what they'd like to do
- Calm down cards to support emotional regulation
- Reward boards to encourage positive behaviour
Why Do Visual Supports Work?
Young children are still developing their language and communication skills. Even children with strong verbal ability often find it easier to process visual information — particularly when they are tired, anxious or overwhelmed.
Research in early childhood development consistently shows that visual supports:
- Reduce anxiety by making routines predictable and understandable
- Support communication for children who find verbal expression difficult
- Encourage independence by giving children the tools to navigate their environment without always needing adult direction
- Promote emotional wellbeing by helping children identify and manage their feelings
- Improve transitions between activities, which are often a flashpoint for distress
While visual supports are particularly beneficial for children with SEND, autism, speech and language delays or sensory processing differences, they benefit all children in early years settings. They are a universal tool, not a specialist one.
Visual Supports and the EYFS Framework
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework places strong emphasis on communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, and creating enabling environments. Visual supports directly underpin all three of these prime areas.
By embedding visual resources into your everyday practice, you are not adding something extra to your workload — you are strengthening the foundations that the EYFS is built on.
How to Introduce Visual Supports in Your Setting
Getting started with visual supports doesn't need to be complicated. Here are a few practical steps:
- Start with routines. A simple visual timetable showing the key moments of the nursery day — arrival, circle time, snack, outdoor play, home time — gives children an immediate sense of security and predictability.
- Introduce feelings resources. A feelings board displayed at child height, with simple emotion faces, gives children the vocabulary to express how they feel without needing the words.
- Use choice boards. Allowing children to choose their activity using a visual board builds autonomy and reduces the frustration that comes from not being understood.
- Keep it consistent. Visual supports work best when they are used consistently by all staff and, where possible, shared with families so children see the same resources at home.
- Laminate for longevity. Printed resources that are laminated can be used again and again, making them a cost-effective investment for any setting.
Ready-Made EYFS Visual Resources
Creating visual supports from scratch takes time that most practitioners simply don't have. That's why we created the Reggie & Co. Nursery Visual Toolkit — a comprehensive set of 78 professionally designed A4 printable EYFS resources, covering everything from routine boards and feelings cards to reward systems, communication tools and practitioner record sheets.
Available with a Single Class licence or a Whole School licence — full details in our Classroom Licence Policy — the toolkit is designed to be printed, laminated and used straight away, with no design skills required.
For Multi-Academy Trusts and larger organisations, we offer personalised licensing. Get in touch to find out more.
Final Thoughts
Visual supports are not a trend or a specialist intervention — they are a fundamental part of creating an inclusive, nurturing early years environment. Whether you are a nursery practitioner, a childminder or a parent, introducing visual resources into daily routines can make a profound difference to a child's confidence, communication and wellbeing.
Start small, stay consistent, and watch the difference it makes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have visual supports for use at home?
Yes! We also offer the Visual Routine Toolkit – Home Edition, designed to support children with ADHD, neurodivergence and everyday routines in a home setting.
Do you have visual supports for primary school?
Yes! The Visual Toolkit – School Edition is a printable resource covering EYFS, KS1, KS2 and SEN, ideal for primary school classrooms.
What format are the resources?
All resources are digital downloads in PDF format, professionally designed at A4 size and ready to print, laminate and use straight away.
Do you offer licensing for Multi-Academy Trusts?
Yes — please get in touch for a personalised quote.
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