The first five years of life are crucial for a child's development, with the first year being especially important. During this time, your baby’s brain is growing at an astonishing rate, and every experience matters. While it may seem early, enroling your baby in high-quality child care during their first year can have long-lasting benefits. That's why we designed our program to focus on nurturing relationships, secure attachments, and enriching play-based experiences to give babies the best start in life.
In this post, we'll explore why the first year is so critical, how secure attachments and relationships support development, and the benefits of play-based learning for babies aged 0-1.
The Science Behind Child Development in the First Year
By the time your baby turns one, their brain will have doubled in size. This rapid development makes the first year one of the most important stages in life. According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, over one million neural connections are formed every second in the first year. These connections are shaped by your baby’s relationships, interactions, and environment.
Babies develop foundational skills during this period, which they will rely on for language, emotional regulation, and social interaction. Research shows that babies who receive nurturing, responsive care during this stage experience greater cognitive, social, and emotional development as they grow. This is why child care environments that emphasise secure attachments and engaging activities (like Affinity Education centres offer) are so important for infants.
Read more: What is the best approach to early childhood education?
Nurturing Relationships and Secure Attachments in the First Year
The first year is a critical time for building the emotional foundation that influences a child's overall development. During this period, babies are learning to trust and form bonds with the people who care for them. These early relationships play a key role in emotional, social, and cognitive development.
When babies feel consistently cared for - through feeding, soothing, or simply being held - they begin to form secure attachments. These attachments are essential for brain development and have a lasting impact on a baby’s ability to regulate emotions, interact socially, and succeed academically.
The Primary Caregiving (Key Educator) Model, a central part of Affinity Education's Healthy Beginnings program, ensures that babies form secure attachments in a child care environment. Each baby is paired with a dedicated caregiver who is responsible for their daily care and emotional support. This stable relationship helps babies feel safe, encouraging them to confidently explore their surroundings.
How the Circle of Security Supports Baby Development
Another important element of our Healthy Beginnings program is the Circle of Security. This framework helps caregivers understand and support babies' emotional needs. The Circle of Security balances a baby’s desire to explore with their need for comfort and reassurance. Babies feel secure enough to venture out into the world, knowing their Primary Caregiver is always there as a "safe haven" when they need comfort.
This relationship is crucial for a baby's development. As babies explore their environment, interactions with a trusted caregiver foster key milestones in emotional regulation, social skills, and cognitive growth. By promptly responding to a baby’s needs - whether it’s a comforting touch or praise for trying something new - the caregiver reinforces the baby’s sense of security and capability.
Linking Secure Attachments to Future Success
The combination of the Primary Caregiving Model and Circle of Security is what makes Affinity Education's Healthy Beginnings program so impactful. Babies who experience consistent, loving care develop a strong emotional foundation, which sets them up for success in the future. Research shows that babies who form secure attachments in their first year are more likely to develop strong social skills, better emotional regulation, and improved cognitive abilities as they grow.
Learn more: Discover the Lifelong Learning Curriculum, Australia's most advanced approach to early childhood education.
How Play-Based Learning Benefits Babies Aged 0-1
Although babies aged 0-1 may seem too young for structured learning, play is essential for their early development. Even before they can walk or talk, babies learn by interacting with their environment through touch, taste, sight, sound, and movement.
At this age, learning is exploratory and sensory-rich. In Affinity Education's Healthy Beginnings program, we use play-based learning to support babies' cognitive development, motor skills, and emotional growth. Our carefully designed learning zones provide sensory experiences that help babies engage with the world, fostering curiosity and brain development.
Cognitive and Physical Development Through Play
In the first year, babies develop important cognitive skills like object permanence (understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight) and motor skills such as reaching, grasping, and eventually crawling or walking. Play-based learning offers a safe, stimulating environment where babies can practice these skills.
For example, in our Discovery Zone, babies explore different textures, sounds, and objects. They might shake a rattle, roll a soft ball, or reach for brightly colored toys. These simple activities help develop coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills.
Even something as basic as dropping a toy and watching it fall teaches babies about cause and effect, building the cognitive foundations for future learning.
Social and Emotional Development Through Play
Play-based learning also supports a baby’s social and emotional development. Interacting with caregivers and peers helps babies start to understand communication and relationships. Even in the first year, these social skills are beginning to form and are critical for future success in school and life.
For example, a baby might watch a caregiver’s reaction to their smile or coo, learning to mimic facial expressions and sounds - early steps in language development. Babies also begin to notice other children, engaging in early forms of social interaction, such as observing or reaching out to touch another baby.
Our Healthy Beginnings program creates an environment where babies are free to explore and supported by caring, responsive educators. This nurturing environment encourages both social and emotional learning, setting babies up for future success.
The Long-Term Impact of Child Care on Babies Aged 0-1
The benefits of child care, even in the first year, are profound and long-lasting. Studies show that babies enroled in high-quality child care programs develop stronger cognitive, language, and social skills than those who do not. These benefits extend far beyond infancy, setting children up for success in school and life.
Babies who experience secure attachments and responsive caregiving are more likely to have better emotional regulation, social competence, and problem-solving abilities as they grow. They are also more resilient, better able to cope with challenges, and more confident in their ability to learn and explore.
The First Year Matters: Child Care Is a Wise Choice for Babies Aged 0-1
The first year of life is a critical period in your baby’s development. The relationships and experiences they have during this time will shape their future.
While the decision to enrol your baby in child care during their first year can feel overwhelming, it’s not just about providing a safe space while you go to work. High-quality child care like Affinity Education centres create an environment where babies develop the social, emotional, and cognitive skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
By enroling your baby in an Affinity Education centre, you are ensuring they receive the nurturing, supportive care they need to thrive during these crucial early months. Find your nearest Affinity Education centre and give your baby the very best start.