Have you ever walked into a room and instantly sensed the emotional atmosphere? Within early years settings, these emotional environments are complex, powerful – and often overlooked. This accessible guide illuminates the invisible emotional ecology that shapes both children’s experiences and adult wellbeing, offering practical insights into the rhythms that govern our daily interactions.

Drawing on the author’s research and real-world experience, the guide delves into the strange and exciting world of emotions and explores how they impact our surroundings. Chapters consider six interconnected aspects of the emotional ecology - including professional love, emotional labour, and ethics and care - before explaining how to recognise emotional patterns, create authentic connections, and develop environments where all can thrive emotionally. Reflective questions and examples from practice are featured throughout to further build the reader’s understanding of the emotional landscape.

By making visible what often remains unseen, the book provides new perspectives on behaviour, staff dynamics, and our own emotional responses and regulation—ultimately enhancing practice and improving outcomes for all. It is a valuable resource for early years educators, managers and students.

Louise Hannan is Lecturer on the Early Childhood Education and Care degree at University Centre Somerset. Prior to this she was an early years practitioner, team leader and manager in children centres working in and around the Bristol area. Her specialisms include the emotional spaces of early childhood settings.