Shoes shoes shoes!

I love shoes!

When I became a mum and childminder I hadn't anticipated however the volume of pairs of shoes which would take over my house! I find it impossible to throw any crocs or sandals or boots or flip-flops away as they will always have a happy user when we go out into the garden or visit the allotments! I think I must own a pair for every sized child and the sight of them all piled up actually makes me very happy because they represent all the sweet little feet that I look after.

Butterflies hatching

One of the best projects we've done this year.

You send off for the caterpillers and when they arrive they are so tiny. Within a few days they had tripled in size and by the time they began to form into chrysalids they were huge big black hairy beasts!!! We then had to watch and wait and finally out came beautiful butterflies. Everyone who comes to the house was involved in watching progress until finally we released them into the garden on a lovely sunny day and watched them flutter away. Pure magic!

Peppermint mice

As a rule I wouldn't do too many sugary things, especially for really young children, however I also think treats allowed- especially at Christmas time! I was really pleased by how much each child enjoyed making their mice and deciding where eyes and ears would go.....

And of course it's always fun tasting sugary treats that we've made ourselves!

In the background of this picture you can just make out our special home-made alphabet picture chart that the children all made together!

Fruit Faces!

 The children always have a healthy snack of fruit after school and they came up with a way to make it fun- my photo album on my phone is now full of funny fruity faces- very creative and edible!

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planting seeds!

This year we've had great success growing herbs in pots, especially basil, we finally learning not to over water it! It's so satisfying for the children to get the pots ready, sprinkle on the teeny tiny seeds and then write the label, water and wait.... when the first seedling show it's really exciting for them to see the results, not to mention taste the lovely leaves when they're big enough to harvest. I CAN claim responsibility for converting a number of children who claimed not to like tomatoes, salads, peppers or herbs, but once tasted- minds changed for ever, especially if they've had a hand in planting and nurturing the plants from seed. Fabulous!

Dressing up

A good dressing up box is an essential part of a childminder armoury! Most children cannot resist the temptation of taking on a new persona and inventing new characters and games. I love listening to the chatter between the children as they decide, negotiate and learn to share when they are planning their games. I try not to intervene unless I really have to with the older children as its a good skill to learn how to problem solve and sort out minor disputes. I have lots of scarves and bits of material so the children can really use their imaginations when playing dressing up.

With friends in the park

We are so lucky as Furzedown residents to have the Rec and Tooting common but more importantly there is such a strong sense of community here. Whenever we visit and enjoy these wonderful green spaces we have the chance to meet the many fabulous mummy or daddy friends and other childminders and nannies who live here. Children in my care have opportunities to socialise on a daily basis with a wide range of people. Meeting and making and keeping friends is such a vital life lesson to share with children from the moment they are old enough to open their eyes! I think it makes for confident happy children..not to mention the opportunity for us grown ups  to get support from each other, share ideas, problem solve and have a good laugh too as we meet the needs of our little ones!