This fascinating observational documentary series takes us inside the world of four, five and six-year-olds respectively as they meet in a nursery. But this nursery is rigged with cameras to capture every glance, ever whisper, every tussle, and all the raw emotion as these children take their first tentative steps towards independence in a world without parents – providing a unique insight into this pivotal stage of childhood.
Scooters are fought over, beads are shared, allegiances are formed and tears are shed. We observe the action minutely as the children make and break friendships, struggle to share and to stand up for themselves and ultimately find their place in this new social group.
These life lessons all take place under the watchful eye of two highly trained Early Years teachers and – in another room – the scientists, who find the footage illuminating: “I have never had the opportunity to listen to the conversations of a group of children of this age group in such an intimate way. It actually has been a fantastic revelation,” says Educational Neuroscientist Dr Paul Howard-Jones.